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       Work successfully with difficult people

      If someone is being difficult in a business situation, the end result is that individuals, teams or the organization as a whole will find it difficult to function effectively and be as successful as they otherwise might. This book gives you the skills to address difficult people and difficult situations.

      I have been in many situations where someone has been widely considered ‘difficult’. It can make life frustrating and even deeply unpleasant. Whilst this book will offer you lots of tips about how to handle such people, we will also look a little deeper at what makes people difficult. You will be asked also to consider situations in which you might be the cause of difficult behaviour – I know that I have sometimes been considered to be the difficult one, when I was quite sure that others were being difficult!

      Once you understand the root of the difficulty, you can work out a remedial strategy to suit the situation. This book captures 50 secrets presented in seven chapters that provide the key to you dealing with difficult people. You need to decide which tip will help you in which situation.

      • Understand what makes us tick. If you are to manage difficult behaviour successfully, you need to understand behaviour! Consider what shapes our behaviour, what behaviours you can realistically expect to change – and what you can’t.

      • Look in the mirror. You may be the problem. This chapter helps you to understand yourself and to consider how you appear to others.

      • Step into their shoes. If you are to help people see the need for change, you need to understand those people and discover why they are different to you. In this chapter you will be offered tips on how to create trust and rapport before attempting change.

      • Give difficult people a chance. There is a need for you to display leadership, even though sometimes you may not be the line manager. We will look at clear outcomes, role clarity, reinforcing appropriate behaviour and helpful communication.

      • Use the right tool for the situation. There are many tools that can help you manage difficult behaviour and difficult situations. Here are some of the globally accepted tools, including some psychometrics, with tips on when to use them.

      • Develop your skills. This chapter draws on the previous Secrets to develop your all-round ability to deal with difficult people.

      • Resolve conflicts effectively. We conclude with a series of checklists which will help you decide how to move forward with your ‘difficult person’.

      If you find yourself saying, “that person is difficult”, don’t condemn them before you have exhausted all the possible strategies for dealing with difficult people covered in these secrets. You may not be able to change their personality, but you can change their behaviour.

       Use these secrets to promote harmony and deliver results.