This document provides an overview of strategies for motivating, leading, and managing difficult people. It examines common types of difficult personalities and techniques for diffusing conflict, such as defining issues, showing empathy, and asking questions rather than giving advice. The document also discusses managing relationships with bosses by understanding their goals and communication preferences. Overall, it promotes developing competence, trustworthiness, and expertise to become an influential leader.
2. Learning Objectives
Examine common types of difficult people and
associated strategies to motivate them
Explore the power relationship between boss and
subordinate and the “power questions” that
improve this relationship dynamic
Examine communication techniques to diffuse
conflict
Explore strategies to motivate and engage
ANYONE
4. Why Are People Difficult?
What are some of the
underlying reasons for
difficult behavior?
5. Managing and Leading Difficult
People
• What is the challenge?
• What type of difficult person are you dealing
with?
• What is your role in the conflict?
• How do your values/perceptions impact your
behavior?
• What part of the conflict to you agree with?
• What is the bigger picture? What is the goal?
6. Specific Techniques That Diffuse
Conflict
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Define conflict
Identify the nature of conflict
Show empathy
Ask questions
Offer suggestions (Not advice)
Understand the role of values, biases, history,
culture, etc.
8. Managing Your Boss
The ideal relationship is an interdependent
relationship:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Expressed mutual needs
Expressed mutual goals
Expressed mutual respect
Expressed mutual dependence
9. Competence = Service
Your Boss Is Your Customer!
• What are your boss’s priorities and goals?
• What pressures does he/she face?
• What is his/her communication style and
preferences?
• How does your boss like to work?
• What are your boss’s weaknesses and
strengths?
10. Top Professional Influencers
1. Competence
2. Trustworthiness
3. Expertise
4. Likability
5. Composure
6. Sociability
Authority and Positional Power is not on this list?
11. An “A” in Powerful Communication
Techniques
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Ask
Absorb
Agree
Add
12. Shift From Amateur to Professional
Professional
Amateur
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Has knowledge
Has awareness
Has great ideas
Follows job description
Stays in comfort zone
Collaborates
Understands the power of individual
contributions
Has values
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Turns knowledge into practice
Articulates and implements
awareness
Expresses ideas and Motivates others
Aligns with personal/professional
values Seeks challenges to grow and
innovate
Leverages resources and shapes
opportunities
Liquidates collective value
Makes choices based on values
13. How to Motivate?
• Be influential
• Learn more, teach less
• Motivational interviewing
techniques
• Know that others are
motivated by different
things
• Create relationships and
partnerships
14. Ability to get
things done
Controlling
one’s
environment
What is
power?
Exercising
authority
Capacity to
influence
outcomes
15. Sources of Power
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Personality
Information
Connection
Idea and Innovation
Communication
Confidence
Past performance
Unique Value
Organization
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Resource
Silence
Charisma
Emotional intelligence
Organizational
Awareness
Availability
Internal resilience
Crisis management
Relationship Building