One of the most awkward things to do in everyday social situations is to deal with awkward or difficult people, because most of the normal tools of basic interaction and conversation do not necessarily apply to them. In this article are six steps to deal with the awkward people in your life that will help you forge some kind of connection with them or just help you save face.
One of the most awkward things to do in everyday social situations is to deal with awkward or difficult people, because most of the normal tools of basic interaction and conversation do not necessarily apply to them. Their body language interpretation skills are usually non-existent, they have serious confidence and self-esteem issues, and they are often incredibly unpredictable and simply hard to talk to. Here are six steps to deal with the awkward people in your life that will help you forge some kind of connection with them or just help you save face.
KEEP THEM FOCUSED
One of the most important things to keep in mind when dealing with awkward people is to remember that keeping the focus of the conversation on topic will help you manage and keep control of the proceedings. Workplace conversations can go from not replacing the paper in the photocopier to personal attacks over how you raise your children.
AVOID NEEDLESS DIGRESSION
Also important when dealing with awkward people is the need to keep the conversation or interaction as narrow as possible will keep it moving forward and keep their awkwardness from derailing the conversation or interaction. If you do need to digress, do it carefully, slowly, and try to make it as clear as possible along the way how such a digression is related to the previous topic.
ASSERT DOMINANCE
The best way to keep awkward people from manifesting the outward symptoms of their social ineptitude is to assert that you are the alpha in the conversation, and that the interaction will unfold under the auspices of your control. To make dealing with awkward people as easy as possible, you need to make it clear that you are the boss.
BE EMPATHETIC
Being the alpha, however, does not give you license to be a jerk (we all know jerks at work). Being dominant does not mean being domineering. Be aware of the awkward person's manifestations of awkwardness, and prepare to assuage them as best as you can by accepting them at face value and trying to recognize exactly what the awkward person wishes to communicate to you.
LISTEN, AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE
Much of the awkwardness that awkward people exude comes from the frustration that they are not listened to, that their ideas are somehow inferior, and that they fear in equal measure exposing themselves to ridicule because of their ideas and that their ideas are not worth listening to. Listen intently as best as you can and find every way possible to let them know that you are.
STAND BY YOUR PRINCIPLES
It can be tempting, sometimes, to assuage the awkwardness in a conversation with an awkward person by simply giving in to whatever they say and whatever they request, but do not do this. Stand by your assertions and principles, and be just as willing to deny requests from difficult people as you would with a normally communicative person.
The Easy Way to Deal with Rude People
Navigating interactions with rude individuals can be challenging, whether at social gatherings, in the workplace, or during everyday errands. Such encounters can quickly sour your mood and disrupt your day. However, with strategic approaches and a calm demeanor, managing these situations can become less daunting. This article explores effective strategies for handling rudeness in various settings, ensuring you maintain your composure and possibly diffuse tension.
Essential Assertive Communication Skills for Women
It can be difficult for women to maintain an essential and assertive posture when communicating yet upholding their friendly feminine attitude. With a little practice and repeated experience of the four tips in this article, you will easily master these essential assertive communication skills in no time.
Quick Assertive Communication Skills for Professionals
It is crucial in professional situations, especially with money at stake, to give other people confidence in your abilities to be stable and professional in your daily dealings. This article will give you a few quick tips for building assertive communication skills in your professional life.
