Negotiation Information

How To Deal With A Complainer


How To Deal With A Complainer

A Complainer Is Characterized by:

1. Dissatisfaction in their personal life
2. Anger
3. A desire to have their concerns acknowledged
4. Makes demands
5. Wants explanations
6. Makes threats or bluffs
7. Frustration

Description

Complainers have a gripe about everything in their life. This usually comes from the underlying fact that they are unsatisfied or disgruntled about their own personal lives. The complainer has a need for their concerns to be acknowledged. Whether it is in their professional or personal life, the complainer can't have peace of mind until someone listens to and acknowledges their concerns. They feel dissatisfied and they don't just want things to change-they want to be heard and understood.

How to Deal With the Complainer

The key to effectively dealing with a complainer is by using your active listening skills. They want to be heard and acknowledged-not ignored or argued with. You have to use your skills of empathy and try to understand what their interests and needs are.

1. Listen to their concerns. It's not enough sometimes just to fix the problem. The person has a psychological need for someone to acknowledge their concerns. Let them get all of those pent up frustrations out of their system before you address the problem. Listen and acknowledge what they have to say. Encourage them to keep on talking until all those frustrations have been let out.

2. Empathize with them. Imagine yourself walking around in their shoes and see the situation from their perspective. Empathy is an important tool that you can use to facilitate cooperation. Let them know that you understand their situation and make them feel comfortable and important. Use empathetic statements such as, "If I were in your shoes, I'd be really angry too." Paraphrase their concerns back to them. Repeat their concerns back to them in your own words. This lets them know that you have been listening and it allows you to confirm that you have heard and understood everything correctly. Paraphrasing is also a powerful rapport-building tool.

3. Ask them what they would like you to do. In most cases, you will already know what the person wants, but ask them what they would like you to do anyways because it lets them walk away happy by giving them the amount of control they desire.

About The Author

Tristan Loo is an experienced negotiator and an expert in conflict resolution. He uses his law enforcement experience to train others in the prinicples of defusing conflict and reaching agreements. Visit his website at http://www.streetnegotiation.com or e-mail him directly at tristan@streetnegotiation.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Ghana: Government-EU Negotiation On Timber Trade Ends
AllAfrica.com, Washington - May 16, 2008
It is the third negotiation since the process begun in December 2006, upon the request of the Ghana government to the EU for such an agreement to be reached ...


Area sales tax part of Legislative negotiation
Mankato Free Press, MN - 15 hours ago
“I know that’s still part of the negotiation,” said Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, referring to a half-percent sales tax for North Mankato, an extension of ...


PCBSI, ALU starts negotiation on collective bargaining
Sun.Star, Philippines - May 16, 2008
The negotiation was preceded by a joint media conference, which was held at the Bethel Guest House to inform the public about some of the important aspects ...
ALU-TUCP eyes to dropping of charges vs. PNP Visayan Daily Star
all 4 news articles


Liberia: LTA, GSM Companies Negotiation Progresses
AllAfrica.com, Washington - May 15, 2008
Progress has been made in discussions between the Liberia Telecommunication Authority and the for GSM cellular phone companies in respect of the ...


County schools OK negotiation for land
The Huntsville Times - al.com, AL - May 16, 2008
By KENNETH KESNER The Madison County Board of Education gave Superintendent Terry Davis permission Thursday night to negotiate for land for a high school in ...


APAMO EQUIPS MEMBERS WITH ADVOCACY AND NEGOTIATION SKILLS
LoveFM, Belize - May 15, 2008
... of Protected Areas Management Organizations are today taking part in the final day of a four day training in Effective Advocacy and Negotiation Skills. ...


We stand by muafaka - CCM
IPP Media - Guardian, United Republic of Tanzania - 15 hours ago
Tambwe urged CUF to change its mind and go back to the negotiation table so as to finalize the remaining agenda. ``Until now, it is only one agenda that is ...


NECN

World expects US to be non-violent and respectful of human rights
The New Nation, Bangladesh - 4 hours ago
President Bush thinks negotiation with Iran and Syria for peace in the region is appeasement. In other words, he does not mean peace or he does not have a ...
Video: Obama Criticizes McCain, Bush Over Attacks AssociatedPress
'Special Report' Panel on Obama's Offense to President Bush's ... FOXNews
The ‘Appeasement’ and Iraq Speeches New York Times
Yahoo! News - OpEdNews
all 2,745 news articles


Make buying and selling real estate a win-win negotiation
The Coloradoan, CO - May 15, 2008
A win-win negotiation is always preferable to win-lose. Win-win resolves issues, satisfies the objectives of both parties, and usually results in a good ...


Negotiations: Salespeople should not concede so quickly
Milwaukee Small Business Times, WI - May 16, 2008
By Christine McMahon , for SBT My sales team appears very confident when I talk to them prior to the negotiation. But when they meet with the customer, ...

Negotiation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006