CASoft Blog

Robert M. Bramson has identified several patterns of behavior exhibited by difficult people, in his book Coping with Difficult People.
These patterns of behavior are:

• Hostile-Agressive : Pushy and uses intimidation. Arbitrary and arrogant.
• Complainer : Gripe without offering a solution. Seldom takes action to rectify a situation.
• Silent-and-Non-Responsive : Not very communicative. Relies on others to share their feelings and thoughts.
• Super-Agreeable : Never commit themselves. Fear rejection.
• Negativist : Are fatalists. Often nay sayers.
• Know-It-All : Self-appointed experts. Condescending.
• Indecisive : Delays making decisions. Fear of hurting or alienating someone.

Project Managers will improve their skills significantly by having a good understanding of Bramson’s work, as he provides a good insight on dealing with several types of difficult people.
Failure to deal with difficult people at meetings, for example, may result in achieving nothing. It also creates atmospheres of negativism that last long after these sessions are dusted.

Get it from Fishpond.com.au: