Facing an unreasonable person

1. Compose yourself 

Whenever you meet a difficult person you don't have to stoop so low as to behave like an unreasonable person. If you reflect the behavior of that person you escalate the problem. Always approach the person with a calm and gentle manner.

2. Maintain a broad perspective

When i encounter difficult individuals what i first do is to mentally take a step back and view the bigger picture. The greater your perspective the more you would be able to understand their behavior. You need to avoid misinterpreting or misreading the individual or situation. You would be in a better position to foresee future outcomes when you see the bigger picture.

3. Be the flexible you.

Some people have the capacity to change; while stubborn fools would see no reason and only derive joy in cursing and shouting.  When encountering the first you can try to make them see reason. While when encountering the later, you might want to out-rightly give them their way for that moment; cause any attempt to make them see reason would result in them trying to drag you into direct confrontation that would make you seem ugly and bring you down to their level.

4. Convey your message in a CALM manner

Yes you are trying to be civil and avoid any ugly confrontation but make no mistake, the art of making your point very clear requires a delicate touch. You can mostly achieve this by talking with a straight face and a calm tone. People, unreasonable or not always pay attention to your tone. A condescending tone makes people want to attack you out of inferiority. A timid tone makes them also want to attack you out of the feeling of superiority. When you use a calm tone in the face of emerging conflict it unsettles people because they do not know what you think or feel. As a consequence, they cannot classify you as a treat or a work-over.
  

5.  Bring your sense of humor

Yes! kind words gladden the heart, and harsh words stir up angry feelings. always learn to use mild humor when dealing with difficult people. I can talk and talk and talk but let me just give you the secret. If you meet a difficult person, find the person he or she hates and make a mild joke of the person. Its unorthodox but it works almost every-time.

 
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