SELF CARE WHEN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

I.  Self Care (keeping oneself in a healthy place and thus less vulnerable to  

                         the negativity of difficult people)

        A.  Overview of Stress Management Strategies

        B.  Self Talk Strategies

        C.  Relaxation and Imagery

II.  Uses of Active Listening Skills (“verbal aikido” with difficult people)

        A.  Basic Skills

        B.  Practice Exercises

III.   Use of Assertiveness

        A. Basic Concepts, especially non-verbal behaviors

        B.  Basic Practice

IV.  Conclusions

SELF CARE WHEN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT FOLKS

Audience:   People in the service industries, supervisors, and any people who, in their work, encounter rude, demanding, critical people. 

Description:

There are two aspects to deal with unpleasant people: the first is making sure you are in a good place and “protected” in a variety of ways from the effects of their behavior; the second is handling them in ways that can defuse the situation.  This workshop mostly aims at the first aspect, because if you are not in a solid place yourself, any “dealing” techniques fly out the window and can even intensify the situation.  Skill training provided in the “Assertiveness Not Aggressiveness” workshop are part of the skills included in “dealing “ techniques. 

This workshop blends aspects of stress management,  of relaxation techniques, and of listening skills in a unique approach to developing inner strength to withstand the debilitating effects aggressive, negative and uncooperative people can have on us. 

Format:  (in order of recommended time allotments)

One 5-hour (1 day) workshop

One  3-hour (1/2 day) condensed workshop.