Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Adelaide

Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Adelaide

You know that one person on your team who makes everyone's day harder? The one who constantly pushes boundaries, argues with everything, or creates drama wherever they go? If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. Every workplace has them, and if you're in any kind of leadership role - even if it's just being the person others turn to when things get messy - you've probably lost sleep wondering how to handle these situations without making them worse.

I've been training managers and team leaders for over fifteen years, and I can tell you that dealing with difficult people is hands down the most common challenge I hear about. The problem isn't that these people are necessarily bad - often they're skilled at what they do, which makes the situation even more frustrating. The real issue is that most of us were never taught how to handle these behaviours effectively, so we either avoid the problem until it explodes or we handle it so poorly that we end up with a bigger mess on our hands.

What makes this training different is that we focus on real situations, not textbook scenarios. We'll talk about the colleague who takes credit for everyone else's work, the team member who constantly complains but never offers solutions, and the person who seems to thrive on creating conflict. You'll learn practical strategies that actually work in the real world, not just in theory.

Here's what we'll cover: how to identify the difference between someone having a bad day and someone with genuinely problematic patterns. You'll discover why traditional approaches like "just ignore them" or "be nice and they'll come around" usually backfire. We'll explore the psychology behind difficult behaviours - not to excuse them, but to help you respond more effectively. Most importantly, you'll practice specific conversation techniques that help you address problems directly without escalating conflict.

I'll show you how to document these situations properly (trust me, you'll thank me later), set clear boundaries that actually stick, and protect your own mental health while dealing with challenging personalities. We'll also talk about when to involve HR and when you can handle things yourself, plus how to support other team members who might be affected by this person's behaviour.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this session, you'll know exactly what to say when someone starts their usual difficult routine. You'll have a clear framework for deciding whether behaviour needs addressing immediately or if you should wait and see. We'll give you specific scripts for those awkward conversations you've been putting off, and you'll practice them in a safe environment where you can mess up and try again.

You'll learn how to stay calm and professional even when someone is deliberately trying to push your buttons. We'll show you how to redirect negative conversations and how to follow up after a difficult conversation to make sure the behaviour actually changes. You'll also discover how to prevent many difficult situations from happening in the first place by setting clear expectations early on.

The Bottom Line

Nobody should have to dread coming to work because of one person's behaviour. This training gives you practical tools to handle difficult people with confidence, whether you're dealing with a chronic complainer, a boundary-pusher, or someone who just seems to create chaos wherever they go. You'll leave knowing exactly how to address these issues professionally and effectively, which means less stress for you and a better work environment for everyone. The strategies we'll cover work whether you're managing the person directly or just trying to work alongside them without losing your mind.

Plus, here's the bonus - once you know how to handle difficult behaviours, you'll often find that these situations don't escalate as much because people can sense when someone knows how to respond appropriately. It's like having a superpower that makes your work life significantly easier.