Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Melbourne

Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Melbourne

You know that feeling when you're trying to get through your day and someone's just making everything harder than it needs to be? Maybe it's the colleague who shoots down every idea in meetings, the team member who turns every small issue into a drama, or that person who seems to thrive on creating conflict wherever they go. We've all been there, and honestly, most of us weren't taught how to handle these situations in any meaningful way.

Here's the thing - difficult behaviour isn't going away. If anything, workplace stress, remote work challenges, and constant change have made these situations more common. But here's what I've learned after years of working with teams: most difficult behaviour isn't actually about being difficult. It's usually about fear, frustration, lack of clarity, or feeling unheard. Once you understand that, you can start dealing with it more effectively.

This isn't about becoming a workplace therapist or fixing everyone's problems. It's about giving you practical tools that actually work when someone's being unreasonable, aggressive, or just plain difficult to work with. You'll learn how to stay calm when others are losing it, how to set boundaries without escalating conflict, and how to redirect negative behaviour in ways that actually stick.

The techniques we cover work whether you're dealing with internal team dynamics or external customers. We'll look at real scenarios - the person who interrupts everyone, the colleague who's always negative, the team member who won't take feedback, or the customer who thinks shouting will get them what they want. You'll practice responses that de-escalate tension rather than making things worse.

What You'll Learn:
- How to stay composed and professional when others are being unreasonable or aggressive
- Practical techniques for redirecting negative behaviour without creating more conflict
- Ways to set clear boundaries while maintaining working relationships
- Strategies for dealing with chronic complainers, interrupters, and attention-seekers
- How to respond to passive-aggressive behaviour effectively
- Methods for managing difficult conversations without avoiding important issues
- Techniques for protecting your own energy and avoiding burnout from draining colleagues
- How to document and escalate when necessary without damaging relationships

We'll also cover how to recognize when difficult behaviour might be masking deeper issues like stress, workload problems, or unclear expectations. Sometimes addressing the root cause is more effective than just managing the symptoms.

The Bottom Line:
You're going to encounter difficult people - that's just reality. But you don't have to let their behaviour derail your day, your projects, or your peace of mind. These skills will help you respond professionally and effectively, protect your own wellbeing, and sometimes even help turn around challenging situations. Most importantly, you'll feel more confident dealing with difficult behaviours instead of dreading them or avoiding them altogether. Because let's face it - avoidance usually just makes things worse in the long run.