Confronting Difficult People: The Leadership Skill You Need to Master

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives into a topic we all know too well—difficult people. We’ve all worked with someone who’s frustrating, quirky, or just hard to get along with. And rather than facing the issue head-on, we tend to tuck these individuals away, hoping they’ll just disappear. If you’re someone who avoids difficult conversations, in this episode you’ll learn the strategies to embrace the difficult people and become the leader you’re capable of being.

As a business owner, it's your responsibility to deal with the people who challenge you. Whether it’s employees who push back, disagree, or simply don’t fit the mold you envisioned, avoiding these difficult situations only hinders your business and personal growth. Kris emphasizes that by avoiding tough conversations, you're holding yourself back from fulfilling your vision and advancing your mission.

“We are shrinking in the face of difficult when we should be standing and firmly growing who we are,” Kris reminds us. Facing difficulty head-on requires us to change the way we think and behave, and it’s essential for growth. No one teaches you how to deal with difficult people, but when you step into being a leader, it is essential to learn and refine this skill. Kris teaches how to turn these situations into opportunities for both you and your team to grow.

Kris guides us through the art of navigating these tough moments with honesty, courage, and a commitment to fostering growth. If you're ready to stop avoiding conflict and start growing, grab your pen and take notes—this episode will transform how you lead your business and your life.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

1. Embrace Difficulty as a Path to Growth: Avoiding challenges may feel easier in the short term, but overcoming them leads to the next level of success and fulfillment.

2. Resistance Stalls Progress: Accepting reality allows you to move forward with clarity and purpose.

3. Leadership Requires Facing Hard Conversations: Addressing challenges directly and honestly is key to maintaining a strong, functional team.

4. Difficult People Are an Opportunity, Not a Roadblock: Mastering these interactions builds confidence, resilience, and stronger leadership skills.

5. Avoiding Conversations Hurts Everyone: Honest feedback helps both individuals and organizations grow.

6. Developing Conflict Resolution Skills is a Game-Changer: This skill is critical for maintaining peace of mind and achieving your long-term goals.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

1. If you want to become a well-resourced woman, subscribe to the FREE Well-Resourced Woman Limited Series Private Podcast. Visit