Communication Tips To Use With a Difficult Person!

I know may be setting off on a tangent here, but I can't help but notice a slight overlap in Narcissism and brain injury. 

Ok, slow down- I don't mean they are exactly alike. I acknowledge that my perceived "overlap" has more to do with deficits in cognitive and socio-emotional functioning than in overall daily functioning, speech impairment or other effects that occur from head trauma. 

Besides, I like looking at other fields of practice to see how we can learn from each other. (Like using Improv to combat Narcissism.) 

​This particular idea comes from the field of neuroscience, specifically from the treatment of TBI (traumatic brain injury).  These communication tips are so brilliant I think they will be helpful in speaking with all sorts of people.  (The video, which goes into brief detail on each, is here. And the reference for this info is below.)

Communicating with difficult people is, well, difficult.  Any techniques (borrowed from another field or concept, or not) are at least worth a try. So here we go:

1. Be sure she/he can see your face
2. Use touch
3. Reduce distractions - TV, radio, other conversations, environmental noise
4. Get his or her attention before starting a conversation
5. Stay on one topic at a time
6. Repeat and rephrase
7. Acknowledge facial expression or body language
8. Remain curious

Happy communicating, dear ones - M

Shout out to communication strategies with TBI 

Hey!!! Subscribe to my therapy vlog at Can We Talk? or find me @TweetmentPlan.  

Photo credit: pixabay, baby!