Mean People Suck

I've been wanting to do this podcast forever and, I’m guessing, because How to Deal with Grown-Up Bullies is our most popular episode to date, you’ve been wanting me to do it, too. 

Mean people - unlike bullies – are usually people we know – but our relationship to mean people is a little less personal. It might be the snobby barista at your coffee shop, a rude seatmate on your flight or really anyone you encounter who just has a tangible aura of negative energy. 

Plus, unlike known bullies who we expect and are prepared to have bad behavior, mean people often take us by surprise. When we’re caught off guard like that, our brain stems spring into action to protect us or defend us. This happens even though we are likely aware that something else is up with that meanie and it has NOTHING to do with us. 

What can we do when someone’s yelling at us for taking their parking spot? Or that grumpy relative that is constantly criticizing you?  

As much as we’d like to avoid these encounters, it’s not a realistic strategy but in this episode of Real Confidence I’m sharing practical tips on how you can deal with them from a place of calmness, control and – you guess it – confidence. 

Highlights include: