Dealing With Difficult Behaviours Training Course
Dealing With Difficult Behaviours Training Course
Ever had that sinking feeling when you see a particular colleague's name pop up in your calendar? You know the one - the person who derails every meeting, shoots down ideas before they're fully explained, or somehow manages to turn a five-minute conversation into a 30-minute drama fest. If you're nodding along, you're definitely not alone. Most of us have worked with someone whose behaviour makes our job harder than it needs to be.
The thing is, difficult behaviours at work aren't just annoying - they're productivity killers. When Sarah from accounting constantly interrupts during briefings, or when Mark from IT responds to every request with a heavy sigh and a lecture about "proper procedures," it affects everyone around them. Teams start walking on eggshells, good ideas get buried, and frankly, people start dreading coming to work.
But here's what I've learned after years of dealing with these situations: most difficult behaviours aren't personal attacks on you. They're usually signs of stress, insecurity, poor communication skills, or simply bad habits that nobody's ever addressed. The good news? Once you understand what's driving the behaviour, you can learn practical strategies to manage it effectively.
This training focuses on real workplace scenarios, not textbook theories. We'll cover the colleague who always plays devil's advocate (even when it's not helpful), the manager who micromanages every detail, the team member who goes silent during conflicts, and the person who seems to take everything personally. You'll learn how to stay calm when someone's pushing your buttons, how to redirect conversations that are going off track, and most importantly, how to set boundaries without creating bigger conflicts.
Throughout the day, we'll practice dealing with difficult behaviours using role-playing exercises based on real situations participants bring to the session. You'll also discover how your own communication style might inadvertently trigger difficult responses in others - because sometimes we're part of the problem without realizing it.
The workshop includes techniques for de-escalating tense situations, having productive conversations with people who seem unreasonable, and knowing when to involve your manager or HR. We'll also cover how to protect your own well-being when you're regularly dealing with challenging personalities, because managing difficult behaviours shouldn't mean sacrificing your own mental health.
What You'll Learn
How to identify the root causes behind difficult behaviours instead of just reacting to the symptoms. When someone's being defensive or aggressive, there's usually something else going on underneath.
Specific conversation techniques for redirecting negative interactions. You'll practice phrases and approaches that actually work to get discussions back on track without making the other person feel attacked.
Strategies for setting clear boundaries while maintaining professional relationships. This includes knowing what you will and won't tolerate, and how to communicate that diplomatically.
How to stay emotionally regulated when someone's behaviour is triggering your stress response. We'll cover breathing techniques, mental reframing, and other tools you can use in the moment.
When and how to escalate situations appropriately. You'll know exactly when something crosses the line from "difficult personality" to "needs intervention," and how to document and report issues properly.
Methods for preventing your own behaviour from triggering difficult responses in others. Sometimes a small change in how we communicate can dramatically improve our working relationships.
How to build resilience so you're not emotionally drained by every challenging interaction. This includes practical stress reduction techniques you can use throughout your workday.
The Bottom Line
You'll leave this session with a toolkit of practical strategies you can use immediately. No more lying awake at night rehearsing arguments or dreading Monday morning meetings. Instead, you'll have the confidence and skills to handle difficult behaviours professionally and effectively. Most participants find that once they start using these techniques, their workplace relationships improve significantly - not just with the "difficult" people, but with everyone. When you're not constantly stressed about potential conflicts, you can focus on doing your best work.
Available in Adelaide