E172: The Sniper Personality: How to Deal With Difficult People

In Part 2 of Dr. Jean's 10-part "Dealing with Difficult People" series, she introduces one of the most frustrating personalities you'll encounter in leadership: The Sniper. Unlike the Tank, who confronts you directly, the Sniper attacks from the sidelines through sarcasm, passive-aggressive comments, eye rolls, gossip, and subtle public humiliation. Their goal is to control the situation without taking ownership of their behavior. Drawing on over 20 years of coaching and leadership experience, Dr. Jean explains why Snipers behave this way through the lens of Caveman Brain® and teaches practical techniques to stop the behavior before it escalates. You'll learn how to recognize the Sniper's tactics, ask questions that expose their true intent, redirect conversations toward productive outcomes, and even distinguish between a true Sniper and a "Friendly Sniper." Whether you're leading a team, managing clients, or navigating difficult relationships, this episode gives you actionable strategies for handling hidden conflict with confidence and composure. Snipers succeed when they keep you reacting emotionally. The moment you become curious instead of defensive, ask thoughtful questions, and bring the behavior into the open, you shift the conversation from conflict to resolution. Think about someone in your life who tends to communicate through sarcasm, indirect criticism, or gossip. The next time it happens, pause, breathe, and ask: "When you say that, what are you really trying to say?" Approaching the conversation with curiosity instead of defensiveness may completely change the outcome. Go Get Results!  Contact Dr. Jean here: Website: www.gettingresultswithdrjean.com Email: [email protected]