Reddit reviews Dealing With Difficult People: 24 Lessons for Bring Out the Best In Everyone (Mighty Managers Series)

Our course touched on the book Dealing with Difficult People by Brinkman & Kirschner - it's quite helpful. You can read the first bit in preview on Amazon.com. It categorizes difficult people and gives options for managing each.

There's a lot in there, I'm not sure I could summarize it. Certain categories will have typical motivations - for example, insecurity in an aggressive bully. Sometimes it's hard to tell. Lazy people might be overwhelmed. Perhaps unwanted new responsibilities, too many demanding priorities, or unexplained expectations. (Ugh, I've had that last one.) Or, maybe they've found hard work doesn't get them anywhere in reality (no promotions, no recognition of value), from past negative experiences.

Two things that surprised me:

1. I find it's easy to misinterpret or make assumptions about a situation. Sometimes you have to take words & actions objectively.
   
2. I find it's easy to miss part of the whole picture. You have no idea what's going on in that person's at-home life, for example. Or what happened in their past job that they've carried over.
   
   
   Great idea to bring training to your university! I think it's one of those things I think everyone needs to practice.