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Chris Behrens

A big part of managing your career means working effectively with people. This course will teach you strategies and tools for dealing with different kinds of challenging situations in your professional context at work.

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A big part of managing your career means working effectively with people. This course will teach you strategies and tools for dealing with different kinds of challenging situations in your professional context at work.

A big part of managing your career effectively means dealing with people in a compassionate and healthy way. In this course, Handling Difficult Situations at Work, you’ll learn to manage social and professional problems effectively. First, you’ll explore how to work side by side with difficult people, and what you can manage in yourself to make that relationship effective. Next, you’ll discover how to handle (and avoid) inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Finally, you’ll learn how to have a successful career and maintain a high standard of personal ethics, and why doing this, absent a moral imperative, is still in your self-interest. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of professional social skills needed to handle difficult situations with grace and skill.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Difficult People (And How Not to Be One)
Tough Situations to Prepare For
The Honor Code
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines interpersonal skills and how to navigate difficult situations at work, which is key for any career
Provides strategies and tools for managing different kinds of challenging situations in a professional context, which is useful for a variety of work environments
Teaches how to deal with inappropriate behavior in the workplace, which is crucial for fostering a positive and healthy work environment
Explores the importance of personal ethics in a professional setting, which is essential for maintaining a strong reputation and fostering trust

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Handling Difficult Situations at Work with these activities:
Reviewing 'Emotional Intelligence'
Reviewing this book will provide foundational knowledge of emotional intelligence, helping you better understand the concepts discussed in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Identify areas where you can improve your emotional intelligence.
  • Summarize the main points of the book in your own words.
Seeking Mentorship
Finding a mentor can provide you with valuable guidance and support as you navigate challenging situations in the workplace.
Show steps
  • Identify individuals in your field who you admire.
  • Reach out to these individuals and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.
  • Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your career and development.
Compiling a List of Resources on Workplace Communication
Creating a compilation of resources can serve as a valuable reference for improving your communication skills in the workplace.
Browse courses on Workplace Communication
Show steps
  • Search for articles, books, and videos on workplace communication.
  • Organize the resources into a central location, such as a folder or document.
  • Review the resources regularly to reinforce your learning.
Five other activities
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Volunteering in a Related Field
Volunteering can help you gain practical experience and develop skills that are relevant to the workplace.
Show steps
  • Identify volunteer opportunities in your community.
  • Choose an opportunity that aligns with your interests and career goals.
  • Commit to a regular volunteering schedule.
Role-playing Difficult Situations
Practicing these role-plays will help you build confidence and develop strategies for handling challenging situations in the workplace.
Show steps
  • Identify a difficult situation that you have encountered in the workplace.
  • Role-play the situation with a colleague or friend.
  • Reflect on the role-play and identify areas for improvement.
Practicing Active Listening Skills
Improving your active listening skills will help you better understand others and resolve conflicts effectively.
Show steps
  • Identify a communication partner.
  • Take turns speaking and listening.
  • Practice using active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions.
Creating a Personal Code of Ethics
Developing a personal code of ethics will help you maintain a high standard of conduct and make ethical decisions in the workplace.
Browse courses on Values
Show steps
  • Reflect on your values and beliefs.
  • Identify ethical dilemmas that you have encountered in the workplace.
  • Create a written code of ethics that outlines your principles and values.
Writing a Reflective Essay on a Challenging Workplace Situation
Reflecting on challenging workplace situations can help you identify patterns and develop strategies for handling them more effectively in the future.
Show steps
  • Choose a challenging workplace situation that you have experienced.
  • Write a detailed description of the situation, including your thoughts and feelings.
  • Analyze the situation and identify what you could have done differently.

Career center

Learners who complete Handling Difficult Situations at Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee and handle most of the challenges and situations that can arise from the employees of a company. This course would be ideal for Human Resources Managers to learn more about the ways to work through the difficulties that can arise in the workplace.
Mediator
Mediators guide people through difficult situations and conversations. This course would be a good stepping stone for someone who would like to become a mediator, as they would be able to learn how to work through difficult situations with grace.
Eldercare Manager
Eldercare Managers would find this course helpful in navigating the unique challenges that can arise while working with and caring for the elderly.
Social Worker
Social Workers provide support and resources for people who face a variety of problems. This course would be helpful in building a foundation for working with people from different backgrounds and helping those who are faced with life's challenges.
Case Manager
Case Managers assist and support clients who are dealing with various challenges, including addiction, mental health, and homelessness. This course is a good choice to learn about how to work with difficult people and challenging situations.
Firefighter
Firefighters often face difficult situations and must be able to make quick decisions. This course would help build upon the foundation needed to work in this field.
Police Officer
Police Officers are required to work with and handle difficult people on a daily basis. This course would help build upon the foundation needed to work in this field.
Corrections Officer
Corrections Officers are responsible for supervising inmates in a prison or jail. This course is a good choice for those looking to enter this field, as it provides skills for managing difficult people.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives are often the first point of contact for customers, and they must be able to handle difficult customers. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for working through those challenges.
Teacher
Teachers often have to work with difficult students, parents, and situations. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for working through those challenges.
Receptionist
Receptionists are often the first point of contact for visitors, and they must be able to handle difficult people. This course would build upon the skills needed to work in this role.
Waiter/Waitress
Waiters/Waitresses often have to deal with difficult customers, especially in a busy or crowded restaurant setting. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for working through those challenges.
Bartender
Bartenders often have to deal with difficult customers, especially in a busy or crowded bar setting. This course would help people looking to work in this role build a foundation for handling difficult situations.
Retail Salesperson
Retail Salespeople often have to deal with difficult customers, especially during busy or stressful times. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for working through those challenges.
Cashier
Cashiers may encounter difficult customers, especially during busy or stressful times. This course may be helpful in building a foundation for working through those challenges.

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Handling Difficult Situations at Work.
Provides practical strategies for communicating effectively in difficult situations. It includes tips on how to prepare for difficult conversations, how to stay calm and collected, and how to find common ground.
Provides an in-depth look at emotional intelligence and how it can be used to improve workplace relationships. It includes tips on how to identify and manage your own emotions, as well as how to build rapport with others.
Provides a practical guide to managing difficult people in the workplace.
Provides a framework for developing emotional agility and using it to thrive in work and life.
Provides a comprehensive overview of habits and how they can be used to improve personal and professional performance.
Provides a framework for developing a growth mindset and using it to achieve success in work and life.
Provides a framework for understanding different types of working geniuses and using them to build strong teams.

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