Author Topic: Role play help (Read 5986 times)

chr999chr · « **on:** 08 March 2012, 10:19:42 am »

Looking a bit of help with a role play situation. I am on a course at the weekend which will involve actors being in my face and ranting on about how i am not doing the job quickly properly good enough etc. I have to stay professional and resist the temptation not punch their lights out.
I would normally match their rant with my own but i am in unfamiliar territory being the passive person.

Any one liners or suggestions how to help.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #1 on:** 08 March 2012, 10:45:59 am »

Depends on who it is opposite you but you could say something like "did your mum dress you this morning?"

BIG MAC · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 March 2012, 10:54:00 am »

Let them spout off and annotate any matters of fact or things you want to chin them on...Then apologise that they have cleary been upset and that as a manager your job is very much to get to the bottom of things and drive any changes neccessary. then pick up your pencil and a clean piece of paper and say 'Let's write this down to make sure we have the details correct and agreed - then against the principal issues we will agree and action plan and agree the priority actions' -- most importantly we must be able to trust each other and be working in concert to achieve the quickest possible resolution.
No 1 rule..it's difficult to fight someone who is agreeing with you - has empathy and tries to see your point of view.
Rule No 2...don't pander to them..if there is some bad news give it to them as part of your 'agreed' strategy..get their finger prints on it...encompass their ideas if they are sensible and positively park them by the side of the road if they are bollix.
You simply have to manage them, your demeanour and how quickly you grasp and deal with what you are presented with is what marks you out.
If you get any pre reading and they give you paper to write on..don't...write small salient and intuitive notes on the pre-reading itself..this trick will stop you writing stuff you don't need to which is already in there...and they will often pick this material up for analysis.
Just been through the process myself and had fun with it.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 March 2012, 11:15:19 am »

This was the guy who was a not very happy Group Captain....http://www.richardbrimblecombe.com/
Was quite convincing too and a surveyor by trade so little wriggle room lol

Ghoti · « **Reply #4 on:** 08 March 2012, 11:21:37 am »

Don't forget the BullSh1t sandwich.

Praise - bollock - praise
or
Agree - correct - agree
or (as is sometimes needed)
Lie - truth - lie

Get them in a good mood, break the bad news to them and then get them to leave on a good note.

DILLIGAFF · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 March 2012, 11:34:19 am »

Well...........

1. Ask them to wait a moment while you take off your jacket and roll up your shirtsleeves. When they ask what's going on tell them
"Well we are obviously heading for a fight. I'm just getting prepared"

2. "For your comments to be insulting, I would need to care"

3. Practice your Glasgow kiss on a watermelon.

4. ....................but seriously.

5. Try and remember that if you lose your temper, you often lose the argument.

6. Let them rant on, remain passive but attendant. Gently nod your head to acknowledge each point raised. When they finish and hopefully calm down a bit, respond to their grievances.

7. Be aware of your body language. Do NOT fold your arms, point your finger, swear or raise your voice.

If all this fails, kick 'em in the nuts and run.

8. Try and edge yourself out of his personal space, normally at least an arm's length.

DryRob · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 March 2012, 11:43:17 am »

don't try to out shout them, speak quietly and they should reply in kind

don't try to cut them off, let them finish

don't tell them to calm down or that you understand why they are annoyed

wear a karate suit with 3 black belts

Ghoti · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 March 2012, 12:00:33 pm »

If they ask you a question - answer it and stop. If they pause before asking another question, don't be fooled into expanding your answer, just keep quiet and wait forthe next question.

chr999chr · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 March 2012, 12:17:29 pm »

Good info guys, i am hoping that because they are actors and it is role play they will stop ranting when they are supposed to (eg real life) not just keep it going and going no matter what i say or do. I should be in the position to pass them on to a junior member as i cannot keep talking to them as i have to keep an eye on what else is going on elsewhere. They will want to keep talking to make me miss something so i need to end it quickly.

Slaninar · « **Reply #9 on:** 08 March 2012, 01:31:26 pm »

Look them in the top of their ear (left or right) while talking to them. It will feel very strange, they will think you're a bit crazy, psycho, scary. Be nice, patient, answer questions shortly, honestly, while always looking in the top of their ear, instead of their eyes.

And try not to break unpleasant silence. When asked a question, answer with yes/no if possilbe and then shut up.

UG · « **Reply #10 on:** 08 March 2012, 01:48:30 pm »

Remember your body language and dont take a defensive or aggresive stance.
Ask them to respect your personal space, normally an arms length.
Ask them what is wrong, keep your voice level low and even.
If you dont have the answer tell them you will go and find out.

And ffs don't call them all the cunts under the sun.

alan sherman · « **Reply #11 on:** 08 March 2012, 02:07:55 pm »

Slip into the conversation that you are having anger management sessions. Go to the meeting with your fist bandaged up and a black eye. Select your finest pair of ripped trousers and scuffed shoes.

On a serious note - get the shouter to suggest the solution - they are bought into it then and often it is not as horrendous as you might think.

JZS 600 · « **Reply #12 on:** 08 March 2012, 02:08:32 pm »

http://www.businessballs.com/

Try this lot for inspiration, and also there are funny joke sections such as avaition quotes to make you laugh as well.

Fazerider · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 March 2012, 03:42:02 pm »

Eat a raw garlic clove after breakfast. That should keep the actors at arm's length.

devilsyam · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 March 2012, 04:20:03 pm »

plead the 5th amendment

Grahamm · « **Reply #15 on:** 08 March 2012, 09:28:42 pm »

Quote from: chr999chr on 08 March 2012, 10:19:42 am

Looking a bit of help with a role play situation.

Say you're getting out your +5 Sword of Smiting, then roll a D20 to hit and...

... what? Oh, not *that* sort of role-playing...

b3tarev3 · « **Reply #16 on:** 08 March 2012, 09:29:09 pm »

If all of the above fails, may i suggest the MG 42.

fletch · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 March 2012, 09:36:05 pm »

use the classic "me no speak the english"

Looney tune · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 March 2012, 10:34:49 pm »

Bollock's

Stupid title

Robbie8666 · « **Reply #19 on:** 09 March 2012, 08:29:03 am »

wait until they have finished their 1st rant and suggest that as they are clearly upset by the situation maybe a cup of tea and then you can think clearly of how to assist them. then get them to sit down nearly opposite you. that way you can maintain a bit of distance. when you come back with the bre you can say, i've been thinking of what you just said and i suggest .... what do you think or I been thinking what would you do if you were in my position?

oldmotherfoccer · « **Reply #20 on:** 09 March 2012, 10:17:18 am »

hmmm, put the nurses/policewoman/air stewardess/ uniforms away now, i thought this was a real role play situation

madmondeoman · « **Reply #21 on:** 09 March 2012, 11:05:57 am »

As a bouncer once told me ask them 3 times Why are you being so quaralsome then knock his lights out

He did use that in court, I asked him your honour 3 times why he was being so quaralsome then I thought he was going to hit me and I defended myself. Case closed.

Robbie8666 · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 March 2012, 10:58:05 pm »

so how did it go?

chr999chr · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 March 2012, 10:15:08 am »

Went great remembered some of the points mentioned and they worked well. The actors quickly matched my calm and non aggressive approach which is what they were looking for. They said if i got aggressive or threatening they would have done the same plus 25%.
There was a few who did not calm down and just kept ranting on and on no matter what i said but they were just looking to see when i knew that there was no point in trying to calm them down. And to consider a different apporach

Andy Clap · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 March 2012, 10:21:40 am »

Was it a magistrate or a therapist who sent you on the course?