“I know you’re time is more valuable than mine because you are a super-duper busy person!”Ģ. She said, “What’s wrong with that? I thought it was clever and considerate.” Here’s what that line REALLY says:ġ. The first line she wanted to write was, “I know you’re busy, but…” I stopped her in her tracks. I am helping her craft the email so that she straddles the fine line between assertive and pushy. In our coaching session, my client and I were strategizing about an email she needs to send to this “difficult” person to request some one-on-one time. The truth is, however, that often our own behaviors and beliefs are what cause us to feel a certain way about ourselves. Victims always point fingers and sidestep the mirror when seeking the truth. It’s easy to blame the person that seems to be causing our angst. The goal is to develop strategies that prevent them from sucking the life out of you, so that when you arrive at home, someone in your house doesn’t ask, “Why are you in such a bad mood?” They are as predictable and enjoyable as taxes. Let’s face it we all have to deal with difficult people at some point in our careers. In one of my recent coaching sessions, I worked with a client who is having difficulty engaging with an aggressive, somewhat disrespectful colleague.
