Disarming Cantankerous People

08/20/2015

Disarming Cantankerous People

Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.
Elise Wiesel

In their article, "Disarming Cantankerous People," in the Exchange Essential Dealing with Difficult People, Luis Hernandez and Connie Jo Smith, provide these suggestions...

Assess the situation and recognize individual circumstances
Stop wishing they were different; most people will not change overnight
Get some distance between you and the difficult behavior
Formulate a plan of action with outcomes and consequences
Implement your strategies
Evaluate and reassess

"Part of this work is also a self-reflection of how we see others and how our own values and beliefs affect our relationships and interactions. Is the person that bugs you truly difficult or is he just different? Workplaces are increasingly diverse; we have class differences, ethnicities, languages, cultures, genders, religions, and other diversity factors. Truly, what we may find difficult may depend on the context of the situation and our worldview. A little self-reflection will help you create a greater balance in dealing with all of your coworkers."

Zeager Brothers - The Look of Grass Without the Upkeep

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.