151 Quick Ideas to Deal With Difficult People

81Try Role-Playing Before the Big Face-Off

Role-playing isn’t just for actors. Before a face-to-face conversation with a difficult colleague, try a little role-playing yourself. Stand before a mirror or sit in a chair and imagine you are confronting your work-place foe.

Assignment

Before a big face-off with a workplace foe, invite a colleague over for dinner and role-playing.

The role-playing accomplishes so much. For one thing, you’re not rehearsing and performing at the same time during your big discussion. You will be calmer and better focused as a result. For another, role-playing is a trial run that will allow you to spot problems in your presentation while you still have the time to correct them and build your confidence.

Take the role-playing ...