Dealing With Difficult Behaviours

Dealing With Difficult Behaviours

You know that person in your team who always pushes back on everything? Or the colleague who seems to create drama wherever they go? We've all worked with someone whose behaviour makes our job harder than it needs to be. The thing is, difficult people don't usually wake up trying to be difficult – there's usually something else going on. But when you're dealing with it day after day, it can drain your energy and affect your whole team's productivity.

Here in Melbourne, we see this all the time in workplaces across the city. You might have the employee who constantly complains about everything, the one who dominates meetings and won't let others speak, or the person who gets defensive the moment you give them feedback. Maybe it's someone who's always negative, spreading their pessimism around like a virus. These situations don't just go away on their own – they usually get worse if left unchecked.

The reality is, most of us weren't taught how to handle these situations effectively. We either avoid the person (which doesn't solve anything), get frustrated and snap back (which makes things worse), or try to be nice and hope things improve (spoiler alert: they rarely do). What you need are practical strategies that actually work in real situations.

This training gives you a toolkit for managing difficult behaviours without becoming the office enforcer or sacrificing your own sanity. You'll learn how to identify what's driving the behaviour in the first place – because once you understand the 'why', the 'how to handle it' becomes much clearer. We cover everything from the chronic complainer to the passive-aggressive colleague who says yes but never follows through.

One thing we focus on heavily is de-escalation techniques that actually work in the moment. Not theoretical approaches, but practical phrases and body language that can calm a heated situation before it spirals. You'll also learn how to set boundaries that stick – because being understanding doesn't mean being a doormat.

We spend time on documentation too, because sometimes you need to escalate things up the chain. Knowing what to record and how to present it can make the difference between getting support and being told to "just work it out amongst yourselves."

What You'll Learn:

- How to identify the root causes behind difficult behaviours (it's not always what you think)
- Specific conversation techniques for different personality types and situations
- De-escalation strategies that work when tensions are running high
- How to set and maintain professional boundaries without seeming harsh
- When and how to involve HR or management effectively
- Ways to protect your own mental health while dealing with challenging people
- Documentation techniques that support your case if escalation is needed

The Bottom Line:

You'll walk away with confidence to handle those tricky workplace relationships that used to stress you out. Instead of dreading interactions with difficult people, you'll have a clear plan for managing them professionally. Your team relationships will improve, your stress levels will drop, and you'll actually look forward to going to work again. Plus, these skills transfer to dealing with difficult customers, family members, and pretty much anyone else who tests your patience. It's one of those trainings that pays dividends both professionally and personally.

For more insights on handling workplace challenges and developing your professional skills, check out these resources.