Dealing with Difficult Behaviours Training - Canberra
Dealing with Difficult Behaviours Training - Canberra
We've all been there. You're trying to have a productive meeting when someone starts dominating the conversation, shooting down every idea, or creating tension that makes everyone uncomfortable. Maybe it's a colleague who constantly interrupts, a team member who's passive-aggressive, or someone who just seems to thrive on conflict. Sound familiar? You're not alone, and more importantly, you don't have to just grit your teeth and bear it.
The truth is, difficult behaviours at work aren't just annoying - they're productivity killers that can derail projects, damage team morale, and frankly, make your workday feel like an endurance test. But here's what I've learned after years of helping people navigate these challenging situations: most difficult behaviours aren't personal attacks, they're usually people reacting to stress, feeling unheard, or simply not knowing better ways to communicate their needs.
This training isn't about changing people's personalities or becoming a workplace therapist. It's about giving you practical tools to handle these situations professionally and effectively, so you can get back to doing your actual job instead of tiptoeing around difficult personalities. You'll learn how to recognize the warning signs early, de-escalate tense situations before they explode, and redirect conversations in more productive directions.
We'll work through real scenarios you've probably faced: the colleague who steamrolls meetings, the team member who's perpetually negative, the person who takes credit for others' work, or the individual who seems to turn every discussion into an argument. You'll practice specific techniques for managing difficult conversations without losing your cool or compromising your professional relationships.
What makes this different from generic conflict resolution training is that we focus on behaviours you can actually control - your own responses. You can't force someone to stop being difficult, but you can absolutely learn how to respond in ways that minimize disruption and sometimes even turn these interactions into more positive outcomes.
What You'll Learn
You'll discover how to spot the early warning signs of escalating situations so you can address them before they blow up. We'll cover specific language techniques that can defuse tension and redirect difficult people toward more constructive behaviour. You'll practice setting clear, professional boundaries without seeming confrontational or defensive.
We'll also explore the psychology behind different types of difficult behaviours - understanding why people act this way often makes it much easier to respond effectively rather than taking it personally. You'll learn when to engage, when to disengage, and when to involve others like managers or HR.
Perhaps most importantly, you'll develop confidence in handling these situations. Right now, you might be dreading certain interactions or avoiding necessary conversations because you're not sure how they'll go. After this training, you'll have a toolkit of strategies that will help you approach even challenging people with greater calm and professionalism.
We'll also cover how to document behaviours appropriately, how to follow up on difficult conversations, and how to protect your own wellbeing when dealing with consistently challenging people. This includes recognizing when a situation has moved beyond normal workplace difficulty into something that requires formal intervention.
The Bottom Line
After this training, you'll stop walking on eggshells around difficult people and start approaching these situations with confidence and clear strategies. You'll save time and energy by addressing problems early instead of letting them fester. Most importantly, you'll be able to maintain your professionalism and protect your own peace of mind, even when others are behaving poorly.
This isn't about becoming a pushover or avoiding all conflict - it's about responding to difficult behaviours in ways that are most likely to produce positive outcomes while keeping you sane in the process. You'll leave with practical scripts, proven techniques, and the confidence to handle whatever workplace personalities come your way. Because let's face it, difficult people aren't going anywhere, but your ability to deal with difficult behaviours can absolutely improve.