Serendipity

Unit 17, Activity 6

Index Activity 7

Dealing with difficult people

In groups, discuss how you would deal with the following ‘difficult people’?

Scenario 1

You manage a small restaurant and every morning a difficult customer comes in. He’s loud and obnoxious and always complains about the food. He irritates the other customers and they have asked you to do something about it.

Scenario 2

You manage a department of about ten people. Recently you have noticed that one employee in particular is acting suspiciously. As soon as you pass near his cubicle, he quickly minimizes his internet window.

Scenario 3

You recently started work for a small daily newspaper. At the interview, you were promised that your working hours would be 8:30 to 5:00pm sharp. However, you need to work closely with the features editor and she comes in at 11am and leaves around 8 in the evening. In the morning, you have nothing to do and then she keeps you there until she leaves, around eight in the evening.

Scenario 4

Recently, Ralph, a coworker, borrowed a few thousand dollars from you. You were not keen to lend it, but he seemed desperate and nagged you for days about it. He promised to pay you back by the end of the month, but it’s been three months and he trots out excuse after excuse. You’re at the end of your tether and you need the money to get your car repaired.