Nick Weeks, MSCSA Presidents’ Group Vice Chair & Thomas Berg

1. TheVerbal Judo Series

2.  Conflicts of personality are a primary factor of
internal issues.
 Presidents are the facilitators of disciplinary
meetings (a time-consuming practice).
 Understanding challenging personality types
can curb issues before they happen.
 The Sinister Six

4.  Fly into a rage at the drop of a hat
 Unpredictable
 Can act like tyrants when they don’t get their
way
 Can be abusive

5.  Separate them from the group
 Allow them to vent their anger within reason
 Set boundaries early
 State your position, stay factual, stay cool

7.  Smarter than you in their area of expertise
 Commonly correct what you say
 Quick to point out your flaws

8.  Know your facts
 Capitalize on their knowledge by asking
questions
 Strategically place them on like assignments
 Praise their work

10.  Use potshots & sarcasm to undermine you
 Will fail to complete projects & blame you
 Rarely ever takes the lead
 Rarely ever contributes

11.  Keep issues fact-centered
 If necessary, use open-ended questions to put
the spotlight on them
 Use the fear of open confrontation against
them

13.  Focuses on the down side of every issue
 Every idea is wrong
 Every initiative will turn out badly

14.  Understand their perspective, but don’t
endorse it
 Stay factual
 Don’t get drawn into an argument
 Stay positive

16.  Super excited about everything
 Volunteer for everything
 Overcommit themselves

17.  Know their expertise
 Limit what you ask of them
 Affirm their contributions
 Teach them to say no

19.  They watch everything but say nothing
 Rarely socialize with the group
 Unable to figure out motivations

20.  Draw them out with open ended questions
 Be persistent, but patient
 Look for non-verbal cues

22.  Know your triggers (mindfulness)
 Bulls: Separate emotion from fact (cool down)
 Geniuses: Teach, don’t preach
 Sucker Punchers: Ask questions (honest
assertiveness)
 Downers: Focus on the good
 Cheerleaders: Get others engaged
 Ghosts: Get engaged!

23.  Thanks for playing!