Synopses & Reviews
Review
"…handy tool to help managers deal with these difficult employees...quick read and is easy to follow…a useful guide for novice managers…and…to a seasoned manager.” -- Aorn Journal
Synopsis
Mastering the ability to handle difficult people and disruptive behaviors has always been a critical career skill. Working with Difficult People defines nine fundamental types of difficult people and gives readers a complete system for opening lines of communication, resolving differences, and avoiding office headaches. Readers will learn how to:
understand their own reactions to different kinds of difficult people • explore the interrelationship between themselves and the problematic employee • practice healthier responses to those who make their lives miserable
This revised edition includes an action plan for preparing for encounters and confrontations as well as all-new verbal self-defense tips, guidance on how to master power dynamics, and ways to differentiate between situational issues and psychological ones. Packed with new, updated information, this is an indispensable guide for dealing with the most difficult people in the workplace.
About the Author
William Lundin, Ph.D. and Kathleen Lundin (Whitewater, WI) are the authors of When Smart People Work for Dumb Bosses.
Michael S. Dobson (New York, NY) is a consultant and popular seminar leader in project management, communications, and personal success. He is the president of his own consulting firm whose clients include Calvin Klein Cosmetics and the Department of Health and Human Services. He is the author of several books including Managing Up (978-0-8144-7042-8).
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 How Difficult Are You? 5
Chapter 2 Stop, Look, and Listen 8
Chapter 3 Maximizing Your Power 13
Chapter 4 It’s Not (Always) Personal—It’s (Often) Business 18
Chapter 5 Planning Your Strategy 23
Chapter 6 Working with Difficult Superiors 27
Chapter 7 Working with Difficult Subordinates 30
Chapter 8 Corporate Culture and Difficult People 34
Chapter 9 Mean and Angry 38
Chapter 10 Suspicious 48
Chapter 11 Pessimistic 56
Chapter 12 Cynical 65
Chapter 13 Shy and Quiet 72
Chapter 14 Narcissistic 79
Chapter 15 Extremely Competitive 86
Chapter 16 Overcontrolling 95
Chapter 17 Overly Flattering 105
Chapter 18 Lessons: Handling All Kinds of Difficult People 114
Index 117