Coping with difficult people: Part 7 The indecisive

The indecisive, also called in the book “stallers,” are super-helpful people who postpone decisions that might distress someone. This “works” because as life proceeds, most decisions, if unmade, quickly become irrelevant. Staller’s hint and beat around the bush as a compromise between being honest and not hurting anyone.

COPING WITH STALLERS

• Make it easy for Stallers to tell you about conflicts or reservations that prevent the decision.
• Listen for indirect words, hesitations, and omissions that may provide clues to problem areas.
• When you have surfaced the issues, help Stallers solve their problems with the decision.