Situations may be difficult or pleasant, but there is always something happening in everyone’s life. Some people get anxious and distressed because of difficult situations, while others learn to deal with their experiences. If you are the anxious one, then continue reading because today you will get to know about how do you handle difficult situations along with how do you handle difficult situations at work also.
1. How to Figure out a Difficult Situation?
If you understand what the problematic person wants from you, half of the confusion will be gone. Then you need to understand how you should react. If you figure these two things out, then you can move ahead with the solution. For this purpose, the class technique is very helpful. The class technique includes the following points. (See Benefits of The Elevation Experience)
- Control your response,
- Listen to the person,
- Acknowledge the issue,
- Solutions to the situation,
- Summarize and wind up the situation.
2. What to Consider before Taking Action?
Difficult situations can be at work, with friends, in relationships, with parents, among siblings, with neighbors, etc. It is necessary to address and solve them before moving ahead with the action plan. If you are dealing with difficult people, then keep in mind the following factors:
- The person who is the main cause of all the problems.
- The situation you are in because of the person,
- And check if it is you or your personal issues which is making the situation difficult. (See Internal Vs External Locus of Control)
3. How can you Control yourself?
You are the controller of your emotions and not anyone else’s. It can be difficult, but remember that your reaction will affect your interaction with the person. Try the following ways to control yourself to know how do you handle difficult situations.
- Do not ask questions in a threatening tone. Try to absorb your anger or frustrations.
- It is better to always act professionally if the problem is related to your workplace.
- Speak in a low voice with a normal tone and maintain your calm. (See How to Stay in the Present?)
4. How does Listening work in Difficult Situations?
Once you have controlled your emotions and response, then it is time to listen to the person. It will make you know about his intentions and perspective which will definitely help to handle your situation. Listening means you need to listen to their answers and their explanations. Sometimes the person may want to say something on their own. Listening should be active because then only you can understand their thoughts. Do not pre-plan the points to argue back. Prevent yourself from interrupting until they finish talking.
After listening carefully, you have to acknowledge their statements. How do you handle difficult situations requires you to rephrase their statements to help them to sort out the situation. They will realize that you have been attentive to them. This will help in clearing out any misunderstanding from their end if they had any about you. (See What is the Difference Between Hearing and Listening?)
5. What causes Interference while Listening?
Following things can interfere while you are listening to the other person.
- Do not make assumptions about the speaker beforehand.
- You are pretending to be attentive but in reality, you are not paying attention.
- You are mentally criticizing the way of talking to the other person.
- Trying to console, reassure, or sympathize instead of listening carefully.
- Being suggestive in the middle of the conversation.
- You are arguing because you disagree on some points. (See How to Improve Your Attention Span?)
6. How Do You Handle Difficult Situations?
You are not bound to follow the solution another person has suggested. Do not allow yourself to be pushed into any such decisions or confrontations. Remember problem-solving means doing the following things.
- Make sure to be helpful because it will keep things calm and sound.
- After acquiring the information, you need to share it from your side too. It will make things and situations clearer. As the misunderstandings are sorted out, you can recommend a possible solution.
- Make sure to mention the step the other person needs to take from their end to improve the situation. You can offer various choices to solve the problem and then agree on the mutual option.
- Sometimes you may reach for a solution, but if you are unable to solve it at once, do not beat yourself for it. Every situation is distinct and so are its solutions. Remember, do not make any promises or claims to subside them because they may fall back on you.
- Lastly, make a quick revision of what you both agreed upon. Re-repeat things and statements to finish the conversation. Do not end on a bad note because it will not solve the problem. (See 7 Steps For Managing Difficult Employees)
7. How do you Handle Difficult Situations at Work?
You can use the class technique at your workplace to solve difficult situations.
- Maintain your calm because you do not want to end up on the wrong side of your boss. Do not let a mere situation ruin your image, career, or personality. Everything depends on your perspective and approach towards the person and situation.
- Understand and get to know the intentions of difficult coworkers and have a one-to-one conversation with them.
- Being realistic is important and being optimistic will keep reminding you about the good things about your workplace. So, maintain a friendly environment around you with a professional approach.
- Do not gossip or make negative comments about your coworkers even if they have done the same with you. Be clearer with your words for others to understand, when you are saying or asking anything.
- Focus on the things that you can take to improve from your end and ignore problematic workers in your workplace. Interact with them only when needed.
- Do not expect them to change overnight. Things will take time and if you feel they are forgetting the points, then remind them once again. They might be facing some personal issues which is the reason for their slow progress. But you should not let their problems become your problem as that will definitely hamper your work progress. (See How to Deal with Difficult People at Work?)
I hope you have understood how do you handle difficult situations and how do you handle difficult situations at work. But before you take the next step, always reconsider the situation accurately. (See What would You Like to Become When You Grow Up?)
