Identifying and Dealing with Difficult and Toxic People

Identifying and Dealing with Difficult and Toxic People

Do any of these sounds familiar? ? There are many different “types” of difficult people! The Fault Finder The Time Constant Bomb Complainer The NO The Yes Person The Two -Faced Person The Cold Shoulder The Attacker

On an index card: Do you know any "difficult people“ Describe how they behave, what it is like to talk with them, what is the relationship like? (don’t names or give away who it is) How do you usually react when you have to deal with a difficult/rude person? How difficult do you think you are? Do you have any characteristics that would make you a “difficult person”?

In groups or 3 or 4 • Share your responses to the index cards. • On a white board make a list of the qualities/characteristics that your small group uses to describe the difficult people Be ready to share as a class

4 Types of Difficult People and How to Deal (6. 08) Take notes while you watch the video clip… The 4 main types of difficult people: Steps for dealing with difficult people: • “Downers”: • 1 st Step – identify the type of difficult person… • “Better Thans”: • 2 nd Step – Don’t try to fix them • 3 rd Step – Try to understand them? What is driving them? • “Passives”: • 4 th Step - Ask yourself – are they toxic to you? Do you need to set some boundaries? • “Tanks”: • Explain “Chameleonization”?

Seven signs of a toxic person How to spot a toxic person Take notes on the following toxic people as you watch the video: • Drama Magnet • Conversational Narcissist • A JJ • The Straight Jacket • The Fibber • Emotional Moocher • The Tank

Seven signs of a toxic person How to spot a toxic person • Conversational Narcissist – love to talk all about themselves, or love to hear themselves talk, they don’t ask you questions, they don’t wait for responses. • The Straight Jacket – person who wants to control everything and everyone around them. They freak out when you disagree with them, they are always trying to convince you that they are right. • Emotional Moocher – They suck the positivity out of you or bleed you emotionally dry, they always have something sad or negative to say – can never see the positive.

• Drama Magnet – Crisis and problems are always going on, once a problem is solved they will find another one. They want sympathy and support but not advice. They feel important in crisis. • A JJ – A Jealous Judgmental person. So much internal self hate they can never be happy for anyone around them. Typically jealousy comes out as judgement. • The Fibber – Whether it is little falsehoods or big lies. Dishonesty drains us, because we are always doubting what they say. • The Tank – crushes everything in its wake, always right, doesn’t take anyone else's ideas into consideration, constantly puts themselves first, very arrogant, thinks they are the smartest person in the room.

What Is Your Reaction Style? Look back at your index card and re-read the description of how you react when dealing with a difficult person? Can you figure out what your REACTION style is? Rationalization and Denial • You make excuses for the person's behavior. You tell yourself it doesn't matter or pretend the situation is not happening at all. Burning Bridges • You blow up, make a scene, seek revenge, and come across as unprofessional and out of control. Finding the Opportunity for Growth • You collect your thoughts, keep your cool, think about how you are feeling, and use the situation to learn more about yourself, and difficult people in general. You try to think of a way to defuse the situation while also standing up for yourself.

Articles: In groups: * Read and discuss your article * Complete the note sheet * Be ready to present the main points with the class. As groups are presenting you are to record your favorite tips in your packet. Be sure to have at least 20 recorded.

8 Tips for Teens to Learn How to Deal with Difficult People Summary: 8 Tips: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

How Emotionally Intelligent People Handle Toxic People Summary: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

8 Common Traits of the Toxic People in Your Life Summary: How they make you feel and what you can do about it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

10 Toxic People You Should Avoid At All Costs • 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • How to protect yourself:

13 Ways Successful People Deal With Toxic Persons • 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13