In the Land of Difficult People

About the Book

Treasured for centuries, the world's folk tales I have left a legacy of wisdom for countless generations. Going beyond simple entertainment, stories such as "The Lion and the Hare" and "The Woodcutter's Daughter" instruct memorably, through example, how to live in a world populated with dishonest, petty, and conniving figures. Although these lessons may be couched in stories about animals, the types of human behaviors described are universal —and nowhere more so than in the typical workplace.

In the Land of Difficult People presents twenty-four fables taken from around the world, each exemplifying the best methods to use when dealing with the eight kinds of difficult people at work. Featuring charming illustrations, each tale is presented with a street-smart analysis and proven guidelines you can use to work with each of the difficult types, including:

WICKED WOLVES. You'll learn how to handle tyrannical bosses or newly promoted coworkers who terrify others and threaten to lure them into their aggressive clutches.

SLUGGISH SNAILS. What if you lack the authority you feel you need to confront take-it-slow coworkers who seem trapped in a state of inaction and resistant to change or forward movement? This book provides the answers.

CRAFTY RAVENS. On the surface, some people seem friendly and helpful, though they may actually be self-absorbed, scheming, ready to spread gossip, and determined to destroy anyone who gets in their way! This book arms you with sophisticated strategies that will keep you from getting embroiled in the schemes of such devious coworkers.

Each chapter begins with a discussion of one of the eight major types, followed by three tales. Following each tale, you'll get the real-world lowdown on how to manage any situation involving these tough, confusing characters, with practical advice in the "What to Do" sections. If you're tired of working with "difficult" people and are hungry for a fairy tale ending, this is one book you should take with you on your journey up the corporate ladder!

About the Author

GINI GRAHAM SCOTT, Ph.D, is the founder and director of Changemakers and the author of many books about the workplace, including Disagreements, Disputes, and All-Out War; A Survival Guide for Working with Humans; and A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses. She lives in Oakland, California. She also assists clients in writing books and screenplays. Her website is www.ginigrahamscott.com ; the website for her writing and publishing services is www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com.

TERRENCE L. GARGIULO is President of MakingStories.net and one of the leading authorities on the use of stories and narrative in business situations. Author of On Cloud Nine: Weathering the Challenge of Many Generations in the Workplace, among many other titles, he lives in Monterey, California. He can be reached at terrence@makingstories.net; his website is www.makingstories.net.