Point out how much you appreciate a good listener. Feed their ego. Something like this...
"I really appreciate you taking the time to really listen to my problems. It's so rare to have someone that cares about hearing and helping people. How do you do it?"
Then let them beam with pride and ramble on. Then when they take a breath and give you a break for your response be ready with an alternate of choice question like...
"I was wondering if __ or __ would be the best option for this?"...whatever the problem is. Make sure you’re providing them with the answers you expect up front. You're giving them the opportunity to take credit for the fix/help and you'll be heard while you direct the conversation.
Continue to compliment their listening skills. Even if they are really not so good at it, they will have to keep that notion in the forefront of their mind.
Use questions to control the conversation and redirect them back to the primary topic if they digress or try to inject unhelpful topics into the discourse. Don't let it become a discussion but reign in conversation by repeating the main issue. Use the alternate of choice question as many times as necessary.
Continue to compliment them while you make your ultimate point.
Thank them preemptively. Even if they digress, try to rush you, aren't really listening or change the subject. Redirect them and thank them for understanding __ (your problem, what you want, the final outcome) as many times as it takes as they ramble on.
Let them ramble. Compliment them on their broad knowledge or many ideas but then redirect them to the issue and continue to provide them with the solution. But in the form of a question.
By repeatedly using questions, especially what are referred to as alternate of choice questions, you can keep a rambling conversation on track. Then hopefully, they should give you the answers and solutions you want and need because you will be giving them the answer you know you want/need. But in the form of a question.
That's all I can think about as suggestions. Except remember that the people who are the most exasperating are the ones who need our patience and compassion the most.
I hope you find some of these things helpful, TrogL. I'll be hoping it works for you. Good luck!
❤️ pants
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