Managing difficult people is without a doubt, a challenge. We’ve previously discussed many of the 12 Steps in Preparation and Planning in Managing Difficult People. We’ve looked more closely at many of these steps in different posts. Steps 1 to 2, Steps 3 to 4, Steps 5 to 6 and Steps 7 to 8. In this post we’ll now consider the Steps 9 to 10 in managing difficult people.
STEP 9 IN AIMING TO BE HONEST AND OPEN
Don’t get caught up in playing mind games in dealing with difficult people. This will take all your time and energy and divert your focus from actually dealing with people overall. Decide that your goal and aim is to be as open and honest as you possibly can. Being deceptive can ultimately seriously damage your reputation with everyone else. Remember a good reputation can take years to develop and minutes to destroy.
STEP 10 IN REMAINING RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE
Along with your determination to remain honest and open, goes being respectful. Dealing with difficult people most often stretches your ability to still be respectful towards these people that you find so annoying and frustrating. But remember, abusing other people and being disrepectful only confirms a lack of control on your part. So strive, no matter how very difficult it seems to always be respectful in your communication in dealing with people, particularly those who stretch your patience.
THE FINAL STEPS IN MANAGING DIFFICULT PEOPLE
Certainly difficult people will always make it a real challenge to remain honest, open and respectful. But this will be your goal. Now in the next post we’ll consider the final steps in your 12 steps in preparing and planning for managing difficult people.
Try and step back and look at the situation from the outside looking in. As if you were an observer. This will help you see the bigger picture in dealing with difficult people. Looking from the outside in allows you to work at seeing a wider perspective in the overall situation. 
