We’ve all met them, and most of us have worked with one of them. It’s not uncommon to quit a job because of them. Who are these people who are so difficult to work with that we’d rather quit a job we otherwise like than deal with them?

They’re high-conflict people, and they can be impossible to please. They tend to point the finger at others for their problems, and those who have to deal with them regularly are often left exhausted by the mental gymnastics they perform to try to keep this person happy.

Megan Hunter is an expert in dealing with conflict. She is the co-founder of the High Conflict Institute and a coach and speaker who teaches people how to deal with conflict. Megan and her co-founder Bill Eddy teamed up to provide training in the legal arena on conflict, which has expanded to other professions.

This episode is part one of Megan’s interview with Steve, and you’ll hear her outline the four traits of a high-conflict person and why they aren’t always “yellers.” She also explains why people aren’t leaving firms because of their jobs. Instead, they’re often leaving due to these high-conflict individuals.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How Megan Hunter became a coach and advisor on managing conflict and the co-founder of the High Conflict Institute
• How she approaches training people to deal with conflict if they’re in a relationship, like partners at a law firm
• Four characteristics to identify what a high-conflict person looks and sounds like
• Why high-conflict individuals don’t always yell
• What creates a high-conflict individual, and why someone else is always to blame for the problem
• Why high-conflict individuals may not feel the same exhaustion that those around them feel
• People leave firms because of high-conflict people but don’t relay that to anyone when they leave

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Supporting Resources:

017: It’s All Your Fault with Megan Hunter - Part 2 https://atticusadvantage.com/podcast/its-all-your-fault-with-megan-hunter-part-2/ 

https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/podcast

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.