The Difficult

Dealing with difficult people can be frustrating, yes. It will tug at your patience, yes. But overall, dealing with difficult people can make you a much stronger person in the end. It takes time, patience, and carefully thought through words.

Difficult people are difficult only because they feel that they are right. They feel that if they give up and give into you then they will be weakened. The feel as if their intelligence has been threatened by you. Don't coax them into believing you with your opinions and knowledge, smashing it down their throat... it will not work. You have to be patient and coerce them over time that your opinion is the more powerful one. That you were right to start with. They will naturally see it as a sign of dignity that you held your ground and did not get easily agitated by their refusal to side with you.

Difficult people may even tell you they won't side with you even if they believe you. This is from an outside factor. A past trust barrier, a conflict in interest, or some kind of hatred towards the other. At this point in time... you should stand down. Don't admit that you are wrong or let them know that you are standing down, just don't mention the matter any further. Prove your statement in your actions from that point on, not your words. Patience will reap the ultimate reward... but you have to hang in there. You MUST be the stronger person by holding back.

-quixotic-