Difficult relationships can be a source of stress and anxiety for many people. Whether it’s a challenging colleague, a difficult client, or even a family member, managing these relationships requires a certain level of emotional intelligence and skill.
Here are three ways to handle difficult relationships with confidence:
Communicate assertively: Assertive communication is a key skill for handling difficult relationships. It involves being able to express your own needs and wants, while also respecting the needs and wants of others. This means being able to say “no” when necessary, while also being able to compromise when appropriate.
Set boundaries: Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining your own emotional well-being and maintaining healthy relationships. It means being able to say “no” to requests or demands that are unreasonable or that you are not comfortable with. Setting boundaries also means being able to communicate your expectations clearly, so that others know what you expect from them.
Keep emotions in check: Emotions can run high in difficult relationships, but it’s important to keep them in check. This means being able to take a step back and take a deep breath when things get heated, as well as being able to stay calm and composed even in the face of provocation. By keeping your emotions in check, you’ll be better able to communicate assertively and set boundaries in a way that is constructive and professional.
Managing difficult relationships can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to navigate these relationships and maintain a sense of control over your own emotions and well-being.
Lead From Within: Leadership is not just about the easy relationships, it’s about the strength to navigate the difficult ones.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.