Syracuse University - Microcredentials

Achieving Success with Difficult People

Course Prefix and Number

PSS 009

Interest Areas

Organizational Excellence

Learn to interact effectively with anyone, regardless of how challenging they may seem, by understanding their needs, values, and motivations. This course will equip you with assertive communication skills and strategies to improve relationships while respecting the dignity and rights of others.

Achieving Success with Difficult People - 1252 - U001 - 54855

Class Section

54855

Section Number

U001

Format

Online, self-paced

Location

ed2go

Registration Close

05/06/2025

Grading

Grade - PASS/FAIL (P/F)

Fee

$129.00

Do you want to know how to interact with anyone, regardless of how difficult you perceive them to be? This course will equip you with the skills to effectively meet your needs while protecting the dignity and rights of others, fostering more cooperative relationships. You will learn to see things from others' viewpoints based on their needs, values, beliefs, experiences, skills, knowledge, and self-interests. By analyzing your interactions and observing others closely, you will develop the ability to choose appropriate reactions to different behaviors, ultimately understanding that assertiveness involves taking responsibility in a way that preserves the dignity and rights of others.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify Different Personality Types: Recognize and describe various personality types based on their needs, values, beliefs, experiences, skills, knowledge, and self-interests.
Develop Assertive Communication Skills: Build communication skills that enable you to effectively meet your needs while respecting the dignity and rights of others.
Improve Relationships with Challenging Individuals: Learn strategies to enhance relationships with difficult, stubborn, or even hostile individuals by understanding their behaviors and motivations.
Analyze and Reflect on Interactions: Practice analyzing your interactions with others to better understand your reactions and their responses, leading to more cooperative relationships.
Enhance Observational Skills: Develop the ability to observe and read identifying characteristics of those you interact with, allowing you to choose appropriate reactions to their behaviors.
Increase Self-Awareness: Gain insight into your own tendencies and how they affect your relationships, fostering personal growth and improved interactions.
Describe the Role of Assertiveness: Learn that assertiveness involves taking responsibility for meeting your needs in a way that preserves the dignity and rights of others, promoting mutual respect and cooperation.

Outline

Identifying Preferred Communication Styles
Analyzing Your Own Difficult-Person Situation
Dealing with Hostile-Aggressive Personality Types
Dealing with Difficult Passive Personality Types
Dealing with Aggressive Subcategories of Difficult Intuitors
Identifying and Dealing with Relators
Overcoming Your Own Difficult Characteristics
Developing Skills to Become More Flexible
Exploring Resilience-Building Strategies
Discovering the Importance of Assertiveness to Positive Relationships
Changing Your Own Assertiveness Skills
Learning Techniques to Improve Your Listening Abilities

Course Access
Participants can start in this course at any point during the semester. Once registered, they will have up to 6 weeks to complete 24 hours of coursework.

Drop Policy
Participants who are enrolled in this course may request a drop and/or a refund up to 13 days from the purchase date. Participants will only be refunded if they have completed less than 50% of the course and have not taken the final exam.

External Partnership
In an effort to broaden our course offerings, Syracuse University has partnered with leaders in their respective fields to provide learning opportunities for our students. This course is brought to you through our partnership with ed2go. Once you have completed the checkout process, you should expect to be contacted by a ed2go representative within 1-3 business days with information on how to access your course material and getting started. They will be your main point of contact while you are going through the coursework. Feel free to reach out to Syracuse University if you have any questions at microcredential@syr.edu or 315.443.2588.

Credential
At the successful conclusion of this microcredential program, participants will receive a co-branded digital badge from ed2go and Syracuse University, College of Professional Studies, which can be shared on LinkedIn or any digital media, and which will provide complete detail on information learned and competencies gained throughout the program.

Sponsoring Department Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this course, please contact the College of Professional Studies Office of Microcredentials at microcredential@syr.edu or 315.443.2588.