They waste your time, gossip about people, make sarcastic comments, borrow your stapler and keep it. They’re a part of every work setting or organization and some even live with you. And they can drive you crazy, according to Emily Ballance, MEd, professional speaker and Licensed Professional Counselor.
Ballance will present a seminar entitled “Dealing with Annoying, Irritating and Frustrating People” on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Richmond Community College’s Cole Auditorium, 1042 West Hamlet Ave., Hamlet. The seminar, sponsored by the Small Business Center at RCC, is open to the public. The cost is $5 and covers a light lunch. To register, email sbc@richmondcc.edu or call Deborah Hardison, SBC Director, at 910-410-1687.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve noticed there are difficult people everywhere and yes, they can get on your nerves,” Ballance said. “But if we were all honest and could clearly see our own behavior, we’d see that we have been the annoying, irritating or frustrating person more than a time or two ourselves. Life can be stressful and difficult at times for all of us and occasionally everyone misdirects his/her frustration.
“One of the biggest challenges is not to get caught up in another person’s intensity,” she said. “So In this seminar, we’ll look not only at behaviors that make a person difficult to deal with, but also at behaviors that can be calming and reassuring. For example, a softer voice tone and open body language are two behaviors that can help to decelerate a heated exchange. Keeping voice volume down is another.”
Ballance said the seminar will also cover how to communicate clearly and directly so that miscommunication and conflicts are reduced along with stress levels.
“I always leave time in this seminar for discussion and for people to discuss challenging situations, always reminding attendees not to mention specific names, so we protect the innocent … and the guilty,” she added.
Ballance speaks on business related topics at Small Business Centers throughout the North Carolina Community College System. She also presents keynotes on positive humor and workshops on generations, communication, leadership, networking, customer service and wellness at conferences, events and meetings across the country.
Ballance was recently awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association. To earn it, a speaker must meet very challenging criteria in the areas of platform skills, business management, education and association. Women in the National Speakers Association who have earned this designation make up less than 8 percent of its total membership.
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