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Dealing With Difficult Group Members
There are many techniques to dealing with difficult group members. Shown below isa method developed by the University of Wyoming called the 7 C's of Effectively Working with Difficult People as well as ways to identify behaviors of difficult people and help hints in dealing with them .
The 7 C's of Effectively Working with Difficult People
Compliment - Difficult people need praise too!
Concern - Showing genuine caring for their welfare wil assist in building and repairing the relationship with the group member who is being difficult.
Congratulations - Assist members with a negative view of themselves and make them feel like winners.
Choice - Give the group member a choice to make the member may feel important and usualy respond more positively.
Challenge - Challenge the difficult group member because boredom can cause members to react in a negative or difficult way.
Confidence - Express confidence in the group member's ability and assist in building their confidence.
Compromise - Attempting to compromise may soften a difficult person
Identifying Types of Difficult Group Members
Hostile Aggressive – These are members who try to bully & overwhelm usually by sarcasm or cutting remarks.
Helpful Tips: Stand up for yourself, look directly at them and wait while trying not to argue.
Complainers – These are members who constantly complain, but never try to do anything about what they are complaining about.
Helpful Tips: Listen attentively to them and acknowledge their concerns.
Negativists – These are members who never expect anything to work, or who never have anything good to say.
Helpful Tips: Do not be pulled down by their negativity and try not to argue with them.
Silent Unresponsive – These are members who only participate with short responses and never contribute.
Helpful Tips: Give them a chance to open up and ask open‐ended questions.
Know It All Experts – These are condescending, pompous members who claim to know all about everything.
Helpful Tips: Know what you are talking about when you talk with them, listen attentively and affirm their perspective.
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