Coping with Difficult Colleagues
Peaceful & Productive Coexistence
John B. Franz, Director, Employee
Assistance & Development
and Professor of Social Work
Education
Friday, March 14, 2003
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
UC 202
Center for Enhancement of Teaching
and Learning
Employee Assistance &
Development
California State University,
Fresno
Learning to work and live and thrive around difficult people
when we can't change them or get rid of them... One of the many
challenges facing faculty in these demanding times is dealing with
colleagues who are "on the edge", i.e. distressed and/or difficult
individuals. This workshop is intended to provide both insight and
strategies that will be useful in recognizing and coping with
troubled colleagues.
Among the topics to be addressed:
- Signs of distress
- Feelings that are uncharacteristic
- Behavior changes
- Changes in thinking patterns
- Guidelines for interaction
- Listening, Limit Setting and Letting go
- Consultation
- Who owns the problem?
- Who/Where to consult
- How to motivate not insult when suggesting help
- What about:
- Verbally agressive or demanding people
- Potentially violent or destructive individuals
- Colleagues with poor contact with reality
- Suspicious people
- Depressed or anxious persons
- A substance abusing colleague
- Someone experiencing extreme stress