In more than a couple of decades of working in leadership and management development, and in coaching, it seems that the subject of holding difficult conversations continues to be a theme. It might even remain top of my list of things leaders want to know how to do better, and that coachees say they struggle to do. Finding the right words to tell someone how you feel, or to confront them about their behaviour, is of course challenging – at least it is if it’s done with sensitivity, empathy and compassion.

Clinical psychologist Seth Meyers writes an interesting article for Psychology Today discussing this subject, with a focus on managing the difficult personality behind the difficult behaviour. It’s well worth a read – The Secret to Avoiding Arguments with Difficult People.