06/14/2010

Disarming Chronic Critics

Difficult people can "...slow you down, upset your equilibrium, and drain your energy," observes Connie Merritt writing in Work & Family Life (June 2010; workandfamilylife.com).  She gives this advice for dealing with chronic critics...

"Snide comments can be deflating.  But when you call people on it, they often say, 'Oh, I was just kidding.'  Critics also use dramatic sighs, eye rolls, and thumbs down gestures.  Try these responses:

• "Aim for an alternative to sniping.  Ask: 'Do you have anything to add?'
• "Smoke the person out.  'That sounded like an insult.  Did you mean it that way?'
• "Expose covert gestures.  'What did you mean by that.'
• "Seek group consensus of the criticism.  'Does anyone else see it that way?'  If the group agrees, ask, 'Can you be more specific?'"

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• Leadership Basics
• Leadership Challenges
• Supervisory Basics
• Meeting Staff Needs
• Motivating Staff
• Managing Difficult People
• Managing Difficult Issues

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