Fantastic, first ever we’ve run, and I’m impressed at how well the uptake and relevance was.
Dealing With Awful People
Learn how to stay calm and confident when dealing with difficult personalities
We all encounter awful people — those who seem to take pleasure in being difficult, manipulative or downright toxic. Whether it’s a co-worker, client, or customer, these individuals can drain your energy and disrupt your workplace harmony.
The Dealing with Awful People course by Preferred Training Network helps participants understand what drives such behaviours and equips them with practical, psychological tools to manage these interactions safely and effectively.
Course Overview
Some people enjoy being awful — they thrive on conflict and gain satisfaction from upsetting others. This training helps you set healthy boundaries, stay composed under pressure, and use tactical withdrawal when necessary. You’ll also learn what not to do to avoid escalating conflict or compromising your own safety.
Our experienced trainers will guide you through real-world examples, role-plays, and techniques to protect your emotional wellbeing while staying professional.
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Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the reasons people become “awful” or abusive
- Recognise the warning signs before behaviour escalates
- Build strategies to break unproductive behavioural cycles
- Manage and distance yourself from toxic individuals
- Understand customer entitlement and power imbalances
- Detect online power plays and negative behaviours
- Set firm behavioural boundaries with confidence
- Recognise baiting techniques and avoid emotional traps
- Understand how distress fuels the behaviour of awful people
- Disempower bullies, manipulators and cowards
Course Description
Sometimes awful people enjoy being awful. They enjoy being abusive. They gain immense satisfaction from trying to ruin your day.So, what can you do? How can you set boundaries for awful people? How do you complete your work in the presence of an awful person? This course will give you the psychological tools to remain composed when facing awful people. The aim is to keep you safe and calm in the face of adversity. Tomorrow is another day and sometimes a tactical withdrawal is the best defence.This course will also show you what not to do. You don’t want to inflame the situation and you want to keep your personal safety top of mind.

Australia-wide training courses and workshops
At Preferred Training Networks, we provide both in-person and online training programs for a wide range of organisations across Australia. Our Dealing With Awful People is run by experienced, qualified experts and tailored to the needs of your business and your employees. Our leadership and management education courses are designed to help your team thrive and develop valuable skills that can transform your workplace.
With programs available in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and other areas of Australia, we’re able to help businesses across the country create lasting behavioural change and provide them with the tools they need to reach new heights. If you think your business would benefit from Dealing With Awful People and the help of our professional coaching network, take the first step and contact our team today. Wherever you are in Australia, our coaching program can either come to your organisation or we organise a venue for your convenience. Find out what our training, workshops and skills courses can do for your business and reap the benefits for years to come.
Get your free online quote right now or give us a call on 1300 323 752 to find out more about Preferred Training Networks and discuss your requirements with us.

















































