The document provides tips for managing difficult personalities in the workplace, describing common challenging personality types such as The Droner, The Aggressor, The Panic Button, and The Procrastinator. It advises managers to understand different personality types, address issues respectfully, avoid personal attacks, and apply strategies tailored to each personality challenge. The goal is to effectively deal with differences in a way that benefits both the manager and employee.

1. Dealing with Difficult
Taking off the Gloves
People

2. Everyone is different
The first lesson of management/ leadership is to recognize that no 2
people are the same; therefore no 2 people can be managed the
same.
When you start managing everyone in the same way you begin
losing your effectiveness as a manager
These differences can be a blessing & a curse-- The key is what you
do with them.
!

3. Tips for having 'tough conversations'
• Address issues tactfully and respectfully
• Avoid using 'You phrases' such as 'you always' or 'you never'
• Don't stoke the fire
• Don't take it personal or make it personal
• It's not about you. They will likely take it personally, it is your job not
to
• Don't save things to address at a later date-- Real time
• Expect them to improve & assist them in doing so

4. !
Ever feel like this?

5. Know your Work place personality Type
• Dominate- Goal Driven; Butts head with other 'similar' personalities;
Scares or runs over those that are soft spoken or not opinionated
• Interactive: Outgoing & Socially Driven; Wants to be everyone's friend is
very social; Annoys someone that is private; Dominate personalities will
try to run over
• Supportive: Cry on my shoulder; Too 'cuddly' for someone that is
aggressive or goal oriented; Can be taken advantage of by a 'needy'
employee
• Compliance: Focuses on the fine print; scared to not know every detail;
strangles someone that wants to move quickly; can get mired in detail;
easy to distract with numbers and regulations

6. Some typical types of challenging personalities
• These are traits not real people (mostly)
• They have been shaped by different factors
• They all have positive characteristics

7. the Droner
• This person goes on and on
about everything under the sun.
They often refuse to end the
conversation.
• DANGER: Time Suck,
Overwhelm you with issues
• Strategy: Schedule a time to
hear them out & keep it short;
put the solutions back on them;
Create agendas for meetings

8. the Aggressor
• Known for their aggressive
style, people are scared to
confront them. They are used
to getting their way and rarely
accept 'No'
• DANGER: left hook, running you
over, rallying the 'mob'
• Strategy: Approach issues with
caution and do your
'homework'; be firm on
nonnegotiables & flexible on
new ideas; find a win-win-win;
Call for backup

9. the Panic Button
• The slightest change will ruin
their entire day; they live in
constant fear of being fired or
shot on sight
• DANGER: Causing mass
hysteria; increasing drama;
creating a stressful work
environment for everyone
• Strategy: Give them clear
communication about goals,
rewards, and consequences;
rely on policies and 'hard facts';
reinforce with them after
disciplinary actions

10. the Protester
• This person is looking out for your
rights! They spend time looking
for the 'fine print' to try to figure
out the 'real agenda' They will be
first to scream when they feel
slighted & the last to take
ownership
• DANGER: He who screams
loudest usually gets heard;
Everyone will know what you do to
him- or don't do
• Strategy: Direct them to come to
you with questions & give them
consequences if they don't;
Create a 'cone of confidentiality'

11. the Rebel without a
Clue
• Rules are made to be broken.
They would like to know where
the line so that they can push
it--They usually don't know why
rules are in place, only that they
don't apply to them.
• DANGER: Compliance issues;
eating away at your authority
• Strategy: Deal with them
directly & firmly; document your
conversations; follow up on
your threats

12. the Most Valuable
Employee in the World
• They have been here since the
beginning of time and we are lucky to
have them-- or so they say. They are
stuck in their ways & refuse to
change. The future of the clinic often
hangs in the balance and they are
only person that can save us.
• DANGER: Intimidating coworkers;
intentionally sabatoging things that
they don't like; undermining your
authority
• Strategy: Acknowledge & Utilize their
strengths; Ask their opinion; be firm
when you differ in opinion & use your
authority; remind them of who the
boss is.

13. the Cry Baby
• I can't believe that this is
happening to me.... This
employee is the consummate
victim. Everything happens to
them and they have no control
• DANGER: Joining forces with
the Protestor; they will tend to
use their 'victimization' as an
excuse for not doing their job.
• Strategy: Take away their
excuses; listen to their
complaints & reframe the
conversation to point out what
they can control.

14. the Socializer
• The person that knows
everything that is going on with
everyone-- some of which is
actually true. They tend to
spend more time talking than
working.
• DANGER: Gossip; low
productivity; poor work
boundaries; professionalism
issues
• Strategy: Keep them on task;
utilize their powers for 'good';
use them for morale or PR

15. the Procrastinator
• They will always do it later.
Usually pushing deadlines, they
are always 5 minutes late & full
of mistakes
• DANGER: compliance issues;
low quality of work; keep other
waiting to complete their jobs
• Strategy: Work with them on
time-management issues;
adjust their schedules; keep
them away from the Socializer...

16. the I Don't Know It At
All
• How much training can you give
one person? This person has
been taught everything that you
know but they never seem to
'know' anything.
• DANGER: Draining your energy;
making multiple errors; hindering
other team members
• Strategy: Develop a training
program that is comprehensive;
Follow-up frequently; Pair them
with a mentor; Ask the question:
Can they 'get it'? Pull the plug
when needed

17. References
• DiSC: www.epicdisc.com
• INC. online: www.inc.com
• Pictures by Afiat Sukmaraga