If you are prepared to do the work, there are three stages to it.
STAGE 2 – Remind yourself it’s not Personal.
This person’s behaviour is not about you at all. They are simply another human being with patches of flawed and distorted thinking that makes them behave this way. Just like you and me. We are all neurotic at times – we just have different forms of defence.
It is so much easier to deal with a difficult person if you can recognise that they are struggling with their own neuroses and mind chatter. They are not in good shape currently. They are not out to get you. It’s not personal.
People can only really do you harm if you believe their words and behaviour, and take it in. You do not need to attach or react to their comments – you genuinely have a choice in that.
To realise it is not personal, some people remind themselves “this person is doing the best they can with what resources they have at the time”. “I do not like or accept what they are saying, but clearly, they cannot find anything better right now”. Some people remind themselves that this person may have been damaged in previous workplaces or relationships. They may have had losses and hurts in their life that have created this behaviour.
Remind yourself, if you want to avoid people and their human condition, you can go live in a cave and meditate for the rest of your days. However, if you want to have a job, or to live in a relationship, or to parent children, you will have to deal with people. This includes people who are at times in poor shape.
Trying to collaborate or solve problems for mutual benefit with someone who is in an unhealthy level of neurotic functioning, is very hard work at times. On occasion, you may consider leaving it for an hour, a day, or a few days if that’s at all possible.
I teach the Enneagram as a truly brilliant tool for understanding the different types of defensive mind chatter. It is an ancient psychological and spiritual growth tool, which seems to have been around throughout time. It is found in archaeological digs throughout the world. The Sufis, a particularly spiritual tribe in history, are often credited with its development.
In essence, the Enneagram teaches that each of us has one of the nine different unconscious ego defences used for survival. None of the nine patterns of habits is any better or worse than any other, they are simply clusters of neurotic behaviour and beliefs. We all have them, and understanding your particular patterns enable you to wake up and challenge the script of your mind chatter.
I find this tool the best to assist myself and encourage others to become conscious of their own brain chatter.
DEFENSE TYPE | THE MIND CHATTER | BAD HABITS |
|---|---|---|
| Type 9 – The Peacemaker/Mediator | I must keep the peace Avoiding conflict Sublimating anger | Procrastination Long rambling sentences Doing inessential tasks |
| Type 8 – The Challenger/ The Asserter | The world is unjust I must stay strong and defend the innocent | Overwhelming people with bluntness Aggressive confrontation Avoiding vulnerability |
| Type 7 – The Optimist/ The Enthusiast | I must be happy and free to find opportunity I can’t stand to be restricted/deprived | Narcissism Over emphasising me – my plans Insensitivity to your needs Unfaithful to ideas and friends |
| Type 6 – The Sceptic/ The Questioner | I seek security The world is a threatening place I need to look to authority – but I question it | Watching for danger, suspicion and scepticism Rigid boundaries Protective relationships |
| Type 5 – The Researcher/ The Thinker | The world is invasive and confusing I need privacy to think | Detachment from feelings and relationships Excessive analysis Greed for knowledge |
| Type 4 – The Artist/ The Romantic | Fear of being defective I am different Something is missing in my life | Moodiness – especially melancholy Longing for what I don’t have Being dramatic |
| Type 3 – The Achiever/ The Performer | I must be successful and admired or I won’t be loved People love a champion | Competing against people Focus on other’s opinions of you Deceiving yourself and others |
| Type 2 – The Supporter/ The Helper | To be loved I must be needed and help | Pride in being indispensable Resenting and manipulating others Not meeting own needs Martyrdom |
| Type 1 – The Reformer/ The Perfectionist | The world is imperfect – I must correct error | Judging and correcting others Righteous anger Being tense and anxious Burdened by too much responsibility |
The table above will remind you that difficult people are struggling with their own defences and mind chatter. Waking up to your brains stressful chatter, allows you to calm down enough to see it’s not only the other person who has neurotic beliefs and behaviours – we all do. Relationships are fraught at times because of this.
The next blog details the very best interpersonal skills required in this situation. It is the final blog in this three-part series on Dealing with Really Difficult People: entitled; Stage 3 – Influencing Skills – Pacing and Leading.
