Dealing with Difficult People course
In this course you learn to deal with difficult behaviour professionally. You gain insight into communication styles, recognise pitfalls and keep a grip on the situation.
NRTO quality markFree cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Dealing with Difficult People is a 2-day classroom course. You can take it in Amsterdam and Eindhoven or online, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is EUR 1250,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also run this course in-company.
- Immediate grip on difficult situations
- Insight into your own communication style
- Practical tools for difficult behaviour
- Guarding your boundaries assertively
- A safe atmosphere in which to practise fully
Your trainer: Rob, Christy, Marjorie or Elzo 833 evaluations in total, with an average of 8,9. View the trainers
Everyone has to deal with difficult people at some point. In this course you gain insight into difficult behaviour and into your own communication style, so that you keep a grip on the situation. That way your enjoyment of your work and your productivity remain intact.
Description
Everyone has to deal with difficult people at some point, whether at work or privately. Looking away or hoping for change rarely achieves anything. It helps to actively look for a workable way of dealing with each other yourself, so that your job satisfaction, productivity and cooperation do not suffer.
In this course you learn to understand difficult behaviour better and to see where it comes from. You gain more insight into the other person and into your own communication style. Various types of difficult people are covered and for each type you explore which approach works. You learn to recognise and avoid pitfalls, and to pick up on signals when a conversation threatens to go the wrong way. You replace negative interaction patterns with productive ones, giving you a grip on the situation.
You will work with topics such as frames of reference, the difference between observing and interpreting, core qualities and core quadrants, assertiveness and dealing with stress and resistance. By practising in a safe atmosphere, you develop skills you can apply in practice straight away.
Topics
During this course the following topics, among others, are covered:
- Different types of difficult people: what kind of difficult people do you have to deal with, privately or at work?
- What makes someone difficult to deal with? You learn to focus on identifiable (problem) behaviour rather than on the person.
- How do we communicate with each other? You gain insight into how the communication process works.
- Your frame of reference and that of the other person: everyone is put together differently and therefore reacts differently to situations. Becoming aware of this helps you to put yourself in the other person's shoes.
- The difference between observations and interpretations: through which lens do you look at a situation? What are facts and what do you (unconsciously) fill in yourself?
- Core qualities and core quadrants: you communicate more effectively when you know what your qualities, pitfalls and allergies are.
- Reasons for difficult behaviour: recognising pitfalls and potential problems, so that you can respond to them at an early stage.
- Your own role in difficult situations: what is your preferred behaviour and how do you position yourself towards others?
- Assertiveness: how to stand up for your own interests without trampling on those of others.
- Dealing with stress and resistance: gaining and keeping a grip on the situation.
Result
After this course you understand where difficult behaviour comes from and you recognise pitfalls and potential problems in good time. You are aware of your own role in the interaction and know how to keep a grip on difficult situations. As a result, you communicate more effectively with people you experience as difficult, at work and beyond.
Target audience
This course is intended for anyone who deals with difficult people at work or at home and wants to learn to handle this in a professional and pleasant way.
Teaching method
During this course you work in a small group of no more than eight participants, so there is plenty of room for personal attention. Beforehand you have an intake with the trainer, in which you discuss your learning objectives together. On that basis the trainer puts together the final programme.
The course has an active set-up: you learn mainly by doing and experiencing. You practise with real-life situations from your own work or private life, experiment with new conversation techniques and receive immediate feedback from the trainer and your fellow participants. Theory and practice alternate, so you can apply what you have learned straight away.
A safe atmosphere is central. You feel free to experiment, make mistakes and discover what works for you when dealing with difficult people.
Prior knowledge
No specific prior knowledge is required for this course. An open attitude and a willingness to look at your own behaviour and communication style are enough. Do you have experience of difficult situations at work or in your private life? Then you will quickly recognise the examples.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 2 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 12 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
Request a quote More about Dealing with Difficult People in-company
All start dates
2 training days. In order of date.
- Wed 4 & Wed 18 November 2026 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00 Enrol
- Tue 8 & Tue 22 December 2026 Online · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 10 November Enrol
- Tue 8 & Tue 22 December 2026 Eindhoven · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 10 November Enrol
- Fri 15 & Fri 29 January 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 18 December Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
The trainers for this course
Ratings from participants after completing their course, across all courses by this trainer.
What others say about this course
Dealing with Difficult People course: average 8.5 from 17 reviews
“The content of the course is of good quality. There is a good alternation between theory and practice. The course material is very handy to use as a reference work. The pace of the lessons is easy to keep up with.”
“A concise training course with good professional support. Results-oriented and with room for your own input.”
“This course makes the difference between dealing with difficult people emotionally and, through awareness, dealing with them tactically. A very expertly delivered course, aimed at applying things in practice.”
“I thought the trainer guided the session very well and was flexible with whatever came up, using that as learning material as well.”
“I found the course pleasant and instructive. There was plenty of room for my own input. The course prompted me to think about things I normally take for granted and therefore never give much thought to. It turns out that when those things are unravelled, my view of them deepens. I found it interesting to experience that.”
“Good course. A great deal of practical exercises were done. The video recording was of very great value. We had a very good trainer. Clearly a very experienced professional. I learned an enormous amount from her. In fact, within an hour she had completely worked out where my sticking points lay.”
“The practical exercises made it clear to me that in difficult situations a great deal of stress and pressure can be taken away from both parties simply through the right attitude on my part. That really was the eye-opener.”
“Very positive: flexible in responding to participants' wishes and good at keeping track of which topics still had to be covered.”
“Excellent course with plenty of examples that can be applied directly in practice. The materials are well produced and clear. The pace was perfectly judged and the length of the course is fine too. The trainer was personable, with a great deal of knowledge and experience in the field of communication. Pleasant to work with and able to put himself in your situation. No 9-to-5 mentality and really makes you think.”
“The content of the course was excellent. The course material was clear and there was nothing to fault in the professionalism either.”
“Problems you run into privately and professionally are explored in depth in this course. You do come face to face with yourself a few times, and that is highly instructive.”
“Interesting and instructive course; directly applicable in practice!”
“It was a very useful course focused on practice.”
“A good analysis is made of you as a person. Almost all the tools are usable.”
“The course fully met expectations. The theme of dealing with difficult people was explored in depth. Participants had plenty of scope to work on the cases they brought along, but there was also room for other questions. The course material was excellently produced. The trainer was superb. She responded very well to a number of developments that had not really been anticipated. She gave them all the space they needed, yet still managed to work towards her objectives for the day. Hats off. She managed to bring participants out of their emotions where necessary and back to the subject. And she created a safe environment, so that we felt challenged to give it our all. Impressive! An expert, open and flexible organisation.”
“My experience with Learnit was excellent! The registration process was straightforward and communication was always clear and professional. The trainer was knowledgeable and conveyed the material in an accessible way. The atmosphere during the course was open and supportive, which made me feel free to ask questions and take an active part. I can wholeheartedly recommend Learnit to anyone looking to develop their skills!”
“A top course if you deal with other people a lot. You learn a great deal about people’s behaviour and how to deal with them. But your own shortcomings are addressed as well.”
Training formats
Classroom
2 days€ 1250,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
Who is the Dealing with Difficult People course suitable for?
What is the approach of the Dealing with Difficult People course?
Which topics are covered during the Dealing with Difficult People course?
Do you receive a certificate after the Dealing with Difficult People course?
What prior knowledge do you need for the Dealing with Difficult People course?
When should you choose the classroom Dealing with Difficult People course instead of a book or online videos about conflict management?
How do I know whether this course suits me or whether I would be better off taking an assertiveness course or a mediation course?
What do you learn in the Dealing with Difficult People course that goes beyond the general communication tips you can find anywhere online?
How quickly can you apply what you learn in the Dealing with Difficult People course at work?
Does this course also work if the ‘difficult person’ in my situation is my manager or an important client, whom I cannot simply distance myself from?
What is the difference between the Dealing with Difficult People course and a course on conflict management or giving feedback?
What does the Dealing with Difficult People course cost and how long does it last?
You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.
Next start: Wed 4 & Wed 18 November 2026 in Amsterdam
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.