how do u deal with difficult people (interview question)?

Answer 1

Depends on what you mean by difficult people... anyway I think the best thing to do is being honest and transparent with people about their performance and your expectation as boss.
When you start a working relationship you should set the performance expectations so people is not surprised when given feedback... and when giving feedback, provide specific -- very specific-- examples of what people did that was outside your expectation... keep in mind that the root cause of "difficulties" can be your managerial style or your own mistakes... then be ready to hear to that and ready to change yourself if that's what's needed

Answer 2

Be honest and think about it. If you give an answer of how someone else handled it, you will get caught in a lie. They want to know how YOU would handle it. Gather your thoughts and be honest. Would you: Ignore the anger, address it, step around it? Would you: Tell the customer they are right, they are wrong, or see that right or wrong, they FEEL they have an issue and try to solve their problem? The Idea in handling a difficult customer is being able to defuse a bad situation. If you feel things 'getting out of control' you need to know when it is time to get the boss involved in the situation. Think on these things and get a plan of action in your head. Every situation will be different but you will have an idea. The customer is not always right, they are always REAL. There is a difference.

Answer 3

Hello,

Contrary to the perception it is easy to deal with difficult people. First you should have very good rapport with them. Most of the time people have poor listening skills and hence are not able to see other's view point. Try to understand the areas of dis-agreement and use tact while dealing with tough people

Thanks

Raghav

Answer 4

Take the holistic approach. Understand what their difficulties are and be on their level. People have difficulties for a reason ... social, mental, physical or whatever. Work WITH them, not around them. See the person for WHO they are, and not WHAT they are.

Answer 5

Cool, Polite and responding with confidence (Logically) and firmness.

Answer 6

Difficult people can make your work day less enjoyable. With the right strategies, you can learn to deal with them effectively.

If you have to work with difficult people every day, you probably dread going to work each morning. What's more, you might get so stressed that you can't concentrate on the job.

Have you ever wondered why some people are difficult to work with?

“Individuals behave in a difficult manner because they have learned that doing so keeps others off balance and incapable of effective action. Worst of all, they appear immune to all the usual methods of communication and persuasion designed to convince or help them change their ways,” says Robert M. Bramson, Ph.D., author of coping With Difficult People.

Bramson offers the following strategies for coping with such people.

How to Cope

Avoid these “don'ts” when dealing with difficult people:

* Don't take dfficult people's behavior personally. Their troublesome behavior is habitual and affects most people with whom they come in contact.

* Don't fight back or try to beat them at their own games. They have been practicing their skills for a lifetime, and you're an amateur.

* Don't try to appease them. Difficult people have an insatiable appetite for more.

* Don't try to change them. You can only change your responses to their behavior.

Here's how you can cope effectively with four common types of difficult people.

Openly Aggressive People

Stand up to them, but don't fight. Overly aggressive people expect others to either run away from them or react with rage. Your goal is simply to assertively express your own views, not try to win a battle of right and wrong.

First, wait for the person to run out of some steam. Then call the person by name and assert your own opinions with confidence.

Snipers

Difficult people are experts at taking potshots and making sneak attacks in subtle ways, such as humorous put-downs, sarcastic tones of voice, disapproving looks and innuendoes.

You may feel uncomfortable replying to them because you don't like confrontation. This, however, allows snipers to get away with their covert hostility.

Respond to a sniper with a question. “That sounds like you're making fun of me. Are you?” A sniper usually replies to such accusations with denial, “I'm only joking.”

Nevertheless, questioning covert attacks will reduce the chance for similar attacks in the future.

Complainers

These are fearful people who have little faith in themselves and others because they believe in a hostile world. Their constant discouragement and complaining can bring everyone to despair.

“Don't try to argue these difficult people out of their negativity. Instead, respond with your own optimistic expectations,” says Bramson.

Silent People

People who ignore you, give you sullen looks, and/or respond to every question with either “I don't know” or silence are difficult because they're timid. Silent people get away with not talking because most people are uncomfortable with silence and are too quick to fill in the gaps. Ask them questions that can't be answered with just a “yes” or “no,” such as, “Why is it uncomfortable for you to answer my questions?”

Then wait at least one full minute before you say anything. This long silence may make them uncomfortable enough to say something. If they do start talking, listen carefully.

Don't Give Up

Dealing with difficult people takes practice, so don't get discouraged.

Although these strategies won't change the difficult people, they will break their ability to interfere with your effectiveness,” says Bramson. “Most important, you'll feel more confident and you'll start to enjoy your workdays.”