Dealing with Difficult Behaviours

Dealing with Difficult Behaviours

Location: Adelaide

We've all been there. You're trying to get your work done when that one colleague starts their daily drama fest, or a team member decides today's the perfect day to push everyone's buttons. Maybe it's the passive-aggressive email responses, the constant negativity, or someone who just can't seem to take feedback without turning it into World War Three. Sound familiar?

Here's the thing - difficult behaviours at work aren't going away. In fact, with hybrid teams, increased pressure, and everyone feeling a bit more on edge these days, you're probably dealing with more challenging personalities than ever before. But what if I told you that most people aren't actually trying to be difficult? They're usually stressed, overwhelmed, or just don't know how their actions affect others.

This training isn't about changing people (good luck with that), it's about changing how you respond to them. You'll learn practical strategies that actually work in real situations - not theoretical mumbo-jumbo that sounds great in a textbook but falls apart when Karen from accounting is having another meltdown about the printer.

We'll cover how to spot the early warning signs before someone explodes, what to say (and what definitely not to say) when tensions rise, and how to protect your own sanity while still getting the job done. You'll also discover why some people seem to trigger difficult behaviour in others - and more importantly, how to avoid being that trigger yourself.

What You'll Learn

How to recognize different types of difficult behaviours and what's really driving them (hint: it's usually not what you think)

De-escalation techniques that work in the moment - no psychology degree required

Setting boundaries without creating more conflict or looking like the bad guy

Strategies for dealing with chronic complainers, workplace bullies, and people who just won't listen

How to have those awkward conversations that everyone avoids but desperately need to happen

When to involve your manager and when to handle it yourself (getting this wrong can make everything worse)

Communication tactics that keep discussions productive even when emotions are running high

Self-care techniques to prevent difficult people from dragging down your own mood and performance

The Bottom Line

Let's be honest - you can't avoid difficult people at work. But you can learn to handle them so well that what used to ruin your entire day becomes just another manageable situation. You'll leave this session with a toolkit of proven strategies that you can use immediately, plus the confidence to address problems before they spiral out of control. Most importantly, you'll discover that dealing with workplace challenges doesn't have to be the most stressful part of your job - it can actually become one of your strongest professional skills.