Dealing with Difficult Users Page 8

Deb Shinder

Adding it all Up

Ida, Sally, Harry, Demetrius, Dora and Fred are only a sampling of the
difficult user types that you may encounter as a net admin or tech support
professional. Each type has its own characteristics, and you may have to adopt
different techniques for dealing with each.

You’ll notice a common thread that runs through this advice, however. The key
to learning to live with the “problem children” on your network, as in
the rest of life, is to not let their problem personalities become your
problem. Remember that your job is to maintain the network and/or computer
systems to the best of your ability. Don’t let the problem users get you down.
These same personality types exist in every “people-oriented”
occupation. They can drive you nuts – if you let them. Or they can be a source
of secret amusement, even provide some valuable lessons that may lead you to
examine and modify your own behavior in dealing with others.