''Difficult People'' in the Climate Risk Communications Area and How to Handle Them

 

 

''Difficult People'' in the Climate Risk Communications Area and How to Handle Them

What to say to the folks who drive you crazy on Twitter, in emails, on websites and in general communcations strategies in the climate risk communications area of the Web. People like XXXXX and XXXXXX and XXXXXXX .. (names redacted to avoid libel lawsuits) :     

 

     Learning to deal with difficult people in general communcations strategies in the climate risk communications area of the Web is like learning a foreign language.  It's well, shall we say, difficult?

 But as challenging as it is to develop fluency in conflict situations, it's just as hard, if not harder, to learn to detach yourself emotionally from the outcome.]

It helps to think about it this way: drama is a childhood phenomenon.  So whenever you are faced with hysteria, irrational thinking or out-of-control emotions, know that there is simply a child in the room – a fully-grown adult child, but a child nonetheless.

See, underneath difficult personalities there is an unhealthy, undeveloped, unsatisfied ego who is acting out. Since these egos are remnants of childhood, normal, rational thinking does not apply.  They live to ensnare you into their reality when something has happened to make them feel insecure.  But, it’s a time warp.  Do not go! If you do, you’ll end up mired in another person’s emotional environment that is rooted in the past.
Of course, not being privy to that past, you have no idea how the person is allowing his or her ego to distort the present.  All you can do is manage it from your perspective the best you can.  The key is to stay steady and not get drawn in.
Easier said than done, I know.
Chances are, if you've been in the workforce for any amount of time, you have crossed paths with some of these ego-laden "characters."   Here are some things you can do to help manage the conversation and the person to whom you are trying to talk.
The Ticking Time Bombs
Think Tasmanian devil. These folks are volatile, inconsistent, and unpredictable. They fly off the handle easily and feel empowered by making others walk on eggshells. They stifle free dialogue by shutting other people down, and they kill the possibility of having productive conversations by breeding insecurity in their relationships.

• The Tyrant rants and raves and makes no sense.
• The Ogre is grumpy and unpleasant and snaps for no reason.
• The Bully derives pleasure from pushing other people around.
• The Loose Cannon is quiet and pent up but abusive when set off.

How to Deal:
Weather the storm. Remain calm no matter what.  If you ever heard a story about what to do should you find yourself face-to-face with a lion in the wilderness, you know your only chance at survival is to stare it down, eye-to-eye, and remain still until it is convinced by your lack of fear that you are not the perfect prey.
What to Say:
"Whoa, hold on," and then don’t be afraid to ask the Ticking Time Bomb to simply stop. Request that he or she refrain from snapping, bullying, abusing, ranting, raving, etc. . .  State that you don't do well under attack and that you would like the conversation to progress in a mutually respectful way.
Don't make it harder than it has to be. On many occasions, I have said to people who felt the need to push me around, "Please don't bully me. I don't like it." It works!
The Centers of the Universe
These people have a bad case of me, myself and I myopia. They only see themselves and have a distorted view of their own importance in the world. Communicating with them effectively is a challenge because they don't listen, unless, of course, you are feeding their egos, which is more about them. They filter what they want to hear, taking what feeds their egos and rejecting anything that doesn't fit into their delusion that the world revolves around them.

• The Narcissist cannot tolerate being wrong and brings an unreasonable sense of entitlement to conversations and self-focus to relationships.
• The Power Monger is interested in compensating for his or her own feelings of weakness and inferiority by acquiring power through status, people, and things to feel more important.
• The Control Freak needs to control not only conversations but people, too, in order to feel good about him or herself.
• The Intimidator wants to establish his or her superiority, often by instilling fear so that others won't speak up.

How to Deal:
Don't take the bait. Centers of the Universe will have you as twisted as they are in no time if you play into the game that they are playing with themselves. Stay on track and do not allow yourself to be reduced.
What to Say:
Nothing. Ignore the bravado, and don't engage in their histrionics – just stick to the facts.
The Buzz Kills
These guys and gals are negative, negative, negative! They refuse to explore alternative possibilities or open their minds. They obstruct important dialogue from occurring because they are stuck in a world of small-mindedness.

• The Naysayer says that everything won't work and is not interested in anything new and/or improved.
• The Know-It-All always has to be right and thinks he or she knows how things will turn out regardless of whether it's true or not.
• The Curmudgeon is ill-tempered, full of resentment, and stubborn.
• The Ignoramus is not open to suggestions from others and is not open, period.

How to Deal:
Ask questions. Every time a Buzz Kill tries to put the kibosh on something, try to find out why he or she feels the need to choose failure over success before even trying.
What to Say:
"Why must you put a damper on everything?" Point out how their pessimism is grounded in nothing substantive and that whether they know it or not, they're making everything harder than it has to be, including trying to have a conversation.
The Slippery Sly Ones
Watch out for this group. They are underground operators. They undermine healthy dialogue and erode trust by feigning authenticity and operating under false pretense.

• The Dissembler conceals the facts and his or her true intentions.
• The Skulk is evasive and shirks responsibility.
• The Conniver schemes, lies, and cheats to get ahead, all the while making pretend to be on the same side you are on.
• The Manipulator bends the truth, twists words, and hides his or her motives as a means to serve his or her own end.

How to Deal:
Call them out on it. You have to, because when the ego knows you see it, it has nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. By merely revealing your awareness of its presence, you will often shame that part of the Slippery Sly Ones into minding its manners.
What to Say:
"Something doesn't add up here." Or, you could say something like, "This does not feel kosher . . . or cool . . . or copacetic . . . or right."  Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to tell someone what you think and how you feel.
The Suck-Ups
We've all known our fair share of these. It's their insincerity that makes it so difficult to communicate with them. They'll "yes" you to death in lieu of having a meaningful conversation.

• The Blowhard is stuck on him or herself and full of useless self-serving jabber.
• The Sycophant seeks favor by flattering people.
• The Brownnoser is motivated by approval and goes out of his/her way to impress those he or she deems important.

How to Deal:
Make it clear that you would prefer not to have a conversation that consists only of agreement and accord.
What to Say:
"Please stop. . . ." Point out that they don't need to work so hard to look good and that it is infringing on your ability to move forward with them in the conversation.
The Oblivious
This bunch is really out there. They exist in their own reality, which is unrecognizable to almost everyone else. The problem is that real issues aren’t addressed while they detract from the clarity needed for constructive conversations.

• The Dreamer is not only not in reality, but in denial most of the time, too.
• The Flake has trouble connecting what he or she says with what he or she does, and as a result, conversations with him/her seem as though they never happened.
• The Drama Queen blows everything out of proportion and creates drama for attention.

How to Deal:
Have the conversation and cross your fingers that the Oblivious “get it.” Give it your best shot and document everything that is said because when it comes up again, the Oblivious will have no idea what you're talking about.
What to Say:
"Snap out of it." You can ask them to try to step out of their own reality and face the facts as they are, but don't hold your breath.  All you can do is try.
The Juveniles
These kids trapped in adult bodies are more draining than a marathon. They sap energy, waste time, and turn the workplace into a day-care center.

• The Blamer never accepts responsibility for even the smallest, stupidest things and finds reasons to blame someone else.
• The Whiner complains all the time about how everything but he or she is the problem.
• The Excuser makes excuses for everything and is automatically defensive.
• The Spoiled Brat pouts to get attention.
• The Gossip stirs up trouble and wastes time being concerned with other people's business.

How to Deal:
Point out specifically what is juvenile about their behavior. The best thing to do is express your amazement that such behavior exists in a professional, adult, work environment.
What to Say:
Tell them point-blank how unbecoming and inappropriate their behavior is.           

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