When dealing with stubborn and egoistic people it is vital that you are aware about their nature and be more sensitive towards them. You cannot treat them like you treat another normal person to maintain a healthy relationship with them. Here are some useful ways that will help you deal with such people better.
Remain calm and patient
Patience plays a big role in handling any situation that might seem to go out of control. Stubborn people are often very egoistic and needs to be dealt with more sensitively. Reacting negatively to their ideas, without even hearing them out will only put you in a worse situation. Whereas, giving them a patient hear and calmly reasoning out your reactions will open a communicative platform between both of you. Opt for this advice rather than stage a battle of declarations. Talk slowly and instead of a straightaway no, explain why you are not comfortable accepting their viewpoint. At the end of it let them know that you would have done it if it were possible for you to. This will assure them that they were heard and then make them more open to accept your side of the story too.
Do not try to pamper them outright
Dealing with stubborn people is very similar to getting along with smaller children. When sometimes you let them have their way they become too imposing and demanding. Learn to turn them down gently but firmly. Do not pamper them while they are getting unusually impractical and unreasonable to maintain the peace therein. By giving up on the situation and indulging them to remain stubborn, you are urging them to react this way every time they want a way through with you. The best option is to stop the conversation and leave the scene of action if they continue to impose something on you insistently. You can also tell him calmly upfront that he/she is being stubborn and making it difficult to converse with like an adult. Most people are not even aware of the fact that they are being obstinate and willful. If you let these people know of something that they do unconsciously, they might be able to overcome it.
Accept that they might have a point too
Apart from being very intense and wary of changes, stubborn people are stubborn because they believe strongly in what they are saying. Instead of insisting on your opinion and involving into a counter reaction, take a minute to mull over the other personâs thoughts. He might have a valid point. Moreover, you can allow some modifications now and then considering the fact that we all tend to be stubborn in some form or the other.
