Some more important points to keep in mind when you are dealing with difficult people:

• No one cooperates with anyone who seems to be against them. In human relations there is no middle ground. Unconsciously people want to know, “Are you with me or against me?” That’s one of the things you have in common with your difficult people.
• Express your truth in a way that builds someone up rather than tears them down.
• Use “I” language, because “you” statements can be accusatory.
• Be specific about the problem behavior.
• Show them how their behavior is self-defeating.
• Suggest new behaviors or options.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to being honest with someone is concern about hurting their feelings. But you do no one a favor by withholding information and allowing them to continue behaviors that don’t work for them either.

Up Next:

Session 17: Learning to Say No