NFIB

Problem People
01/ 08/ 2003

by Vicki Gerson

As a business owner, you come into contact with many types of people, not all of whom are pleasant. Do you recognize any of your employees, customers or business associates on this list?

Know-it-alls -- Regardless of what you tell them, they know more than you do. They tend to be arrogant and get defensive when proven wrong.

Gripers -- No matter what you do, it isnÆt right. They donÆt want to find a solution to their problem, theyÆd rather complain.

"No" People -- These inflexible people will always point out why something wonÆt work. Every time you present them with another solution, it isnÆt right.

"Yes" People -- While this type of person is generally easy to get along with, it is often impossible to truly know where they stand. They rarely offer original ideas or give a valid opinion for fear of being disagreeable.

Dictators -- Brutally critical, they donÆt care whose feelings they hurt. Tact isnÆt in their vocabulary. These people constantly demand and expect immediate results, often through intimidation.

While you may see glimpses of these traits in many people around you, chances are they arenÆt overriding enough to cause much of a problem. However, if you know someone who can be absolutely defined by one of the above, you may have to take action. If any of your employees fits one of these descriptions, you might want to set up private meetings with them and gently explain how their attitude is adversely affecting your business, then ask them to work on expressing themselves in a more businesslike manner.

If you recognize these characteristics in your customers and business associates, you probably are not in the position to ask them to work on these problems traits, but knowing these traits should help you realize what you are dealing with and take the behavior less personally. Using some psychology, you might even discover ways to better get along with these "problem" people.

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