Dealing with Difficult People

Work would be easier if it were just the work. But for most people, the real challenge is navigating other people.

A teammate who shuts down ideas.

A manager who is always urgent.

Someone who agrees to everything but never follows through.

These situations happen every day, whether you are in meetings, on Slack or working remotely. And they can drain your time, energy and focus if you do not know how to handle them.

This course is designed for how work actually feels today. It focuses on real interactions, not outdated labels or theory. You will learn how to respond in the moment, communicate clearly and keep situations from escalating.

Instead of avoiding conflict or replaying conversations in your head later, you will leave with practical ways to handle things as they happen.

Respond with confidence in real situations

• Speak up when someone interrupts or talks over you
• Address issues directly without creating unnecessary tension
• Handle pushback in meetings, messages and one on one conversations

Set boundaries that people respect

• Say no or push back without feeling uncomfortable
• Set clear expectations around work, communication and follow through
• Handle situations where others overstep or shift blame

Keep conversations productive

• Stay calm when emotions run high
• Respond to negative or critical behavior without escalating it
• Redirect unproductive conversations toward solutions

Navigate common workplace challenges

• When someone takes credit for your work
• When a teammate is not contributing
• When communication is unclear or inconsistent
• When feedback turns into conflict

Understand what drives behavior

• Recognize what may be behind someone’s reaction
• Avoid responses that make situations worse
• Decide when to address an issue and when to let it go

Protect your time and energy

• Stop overthinking difficult interactions after the fact
• Stay focused without getting pulled into workplace drama
• Approach conversations with clarity instead of stress

For managers

• Address issues early before they grow
• Give feedback that is clear and actionable
• Handle difficult conversations without avoiding them