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Make Difficult People Disappear: How to Deal with Stressful Behavior and Eliminate Conflict
Save your organization by building the skills to deal with difficult people We all have to work with people we can't stand to be around. Our challenge is to find creative ways to handle these difficult people. In the fable Make Difficult People Disappear , the skills and strategic plan needed to change your mindset are told through a clear, concise story. By first understanding the four main personality types in the workplace, Commander, Organizer, Relater, and Entertainer, readers can then devise effective strategies for diffusing unproductive and damaging behavior. This book serves to change the mindset and behavior of people who deal with difficulty on a regular basis. Complete with a step-by-step action plan, Make Difficult People Disappear serves to replenish your confidence and build skills in leading those who until now you didn't know how to manage and felt there was no choice but to continue to deal with or ignore.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 5, 2013
Socrates admonished: "Know thyself." Within the first few pages of this book, it is obvious that this is the author's mission and message.
There are many books which cover similar ground as is set forth in this book. It is useful, nonetheless, because of the simple and straightforward manner in which the information is set forth. Everyone should engage in some self-analysis and attempt to come to a greater understanding of their own personal operating system. To that end, this book sets forth the four basic personality types and helps one to understand how they operate and react in different situations.
There are several books of this type in circulation, and multiple programs which attempt to explain the personality types and their interaction. This book is commendable because of the simplicity with which it presents the information. The book recites its lessons in a simple, almost allegorical, format. The flaw in the book is that it is almost too simplistic. Understanding personality differences and interactions is not a panacea for eliminating conflict, although it admittedly it will make interactions with others easier and more productive.
In the book, everything can move as productively and smoothly as it does because all partake of the training and education together, and share a common goal of "making difficult people disappear." Certain people, however, do not as easily assimilate and adopt such information.
The labels used are easily remembered and understood, which is aided by the acronyms used of the CORE MAP. This stands for the personality labels used (Commander, Organizer, Relater and Entertainer) in an effort to show how they can interact with one another (Multi-dimensional Awareness Profile). The ultimate analysis is very similar to other systems used for personality analysis, because there are still the same four basic personality types.
The point made here, of course, is how difficult people can be is in very large part determined by how we react to them, or otherwise interact with them. We can be our own worst enemies.
Ultimately, Socrates advice is well given. The better we understand ourselves, the better we are able to communicate and deal with others.
There are many books which cover similar ground as is set forth in this book. It is useful, nonetheless, because of the simple and straightforward manner in which the information is set forth. Everyone should engage in some self-analysis and attempt to come to a greater understanding of their own personal operating system. To that end, this book sets forth the four basic personality types and helps one to understand how they operate and react in different situations.
There are several books of this type in circulation, and multiple programs which attempt to explain the personality types and their interaction. This book is commendable because of the simplicity with which it presents the information. The book recites its lessons in a simple, almost allegorical, format. The flaw in the book is that it is almost too simplistic. Understanding personality differences and interactions is not a panacea for eliminating conflict, although it admittedly it will make interactions with others easier and more productive.
In the book, everything can move as productively and smoothly as it does because all partake of the training and education together, and share a common goal of "making difficult people disappear." Certain people, however, do not as easily assimilate and adopt such information.
The labels used are easily remembered and understood, which is aided by the acronyms used of the CORE MAP. This stands for the personality labels used (Commander, Organizer, Relater and Entertainer) in an effort to show how they can interact with one another (Multi-dimensional Awareness Profile). The ultimate analysis is very similar to other systems used for personality analysis, because there are still the same four basic personality types.
The point made here, of course, is how difficult people can be is in very large part determined by how we react to them, or otherwise interact with them. We can be our own worst enemies.
Ultimately, Socrates advice is well given. The better we understand ourselves, the better we are able to communicate and deal with others.
December 5, 2016
An instructional speaker is hired to visit a workplace and teach the staff how to interact without irritating each other. She teaches them about the various personality types and how they can play off of each other's positive and negative traits for the best results in a team setting. This is really nothing new. I felt the information presented here was done in a sort of an odd way, by creating this semi-fictional workplace seminar as the setting.
The basic premise here seemed to be that if you think positively, and try to see the good in others, rather than focusing on their flaws, irritating people will no longer irritate you. A bit euphoric and unrealistic, really. Some people just don't get along and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The book read more like an advertisement for the author's own consulting services rather than presenting updated information on how to navigate workplace relationships and interpersonal problems on the job. Disappointing. This is going to the book swap, if they want it.
The basic premise here seemed to be that if you think positively, and try to see the good in others, rather than focusing on their flaws, irritating people will no longer irritate you. A bit euphoric and unrealistic, really. Some people just don't get along and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The book read more like an advertisement for the author's own consulting services rather than presenting updated information on how to navigate workplace relationships and interpersonal problems on the job. Disappointing. This is going to the book swap, if they want it.
December 5, 2023
Very interesting concepts relating to workplace communication that I will definitely be incorporating into my everyday work life. However, the fable sometimes felt more like an advertisement than an easy to follow story which made the pacing a bit off. This might also just be from personal experience but some of the workplace scenarios in the book seemed to be comically non-relatable and would reflect the workplace POV of a executive level official that is out of touch with their employees and how they would realistically act in certain scenarios. This disconnect definitely pulled me out of the immersion at some points.
November 13, 2024
Dogshit.
This book is stupid.
Early on, it says something like “difficult people have existed for a long time” and then it tries to limn an example of a rudimentary difficult person in caveman times. I was like what is going on.
Overall, the book is a parable concocted by some high school guidance counselor type to watch as a person goes through a journey of becoming better at dealing with people, but the parable form, plus the immaturity of the author, makes the book very stupid.
Read 5%
This book is stupid.
Early on, it says something like “difficult people have existed for a long time” and then it tries to limn an example of a rudimentary difficult person in caveman times. I was like what is going on.
Overall, the book is a parable concocted by some high school guidance counselor type to watch as a person goes through a journey of becoming better at dealing with people, but the parable form, plus the immaturity of the author, makes the book very stupid.
Read 5%
October 2, 2018
Advertisement
While helpful and insightful in some ways, this is a long, drawn out advertisement for coaching and training services. Buyer and reader beware.
While helpful and insightful in some ways, this is a long, drawn out advertisement for coaching and training services. Buyer and reader beware.
February 1, 2025
Soulless corporate trash.
Waste of a good book title.
Waste of a good book title.
May 29, 2012
This is labeled as “A Workplace Fable” by author Monica Wofford as it walks us through a few days in the life of a high-strung, quick to anger female executive. During these days, she undergoes a transformation of thought as she attends a company sponsored training session on personalities and communication styles. She puts the materials to practical use in the workplace and her personal life and sees immediate improvement in all of her relationships.
This book isn’t about how to “deal” with difficult people but, instead, focuses on changing your own perceptions of people. No one is intentionally difficult; it’s just that their behaviors and communication styles are different from our own. Understanding your own personality and those of your family and colleagues makes the difficulty “disappear.” You need to be aware of how you speak to others and realize different communication styles are required for different people, particularly when under stress.
The book centers around the CORE Multidimensional Awareness Profile assessment. The author is a certified CORE facilitator. Taking the assessment, you’re classified into one of four personalities; Commander, Organizer, Relater and Entertainer. Much of the book discusses these profiles in detail and how they can most effectively interact with each other. I believe you’d get more out of this book if you know your CORE profile.
One interesting point made by the author is that many companies promote only commander and organizer types to senior leadership positions—often to their detriment. Each personality has incredible value to offer and a well-rounded leadership team can more effectively manage an organization. I happen to be a relater\entertainer required to act as a commander\organizer. I wonder how that impacts stress and productivity levels?
This book isn’t about how to “deal” with difficult people but, instead, focuses on changing your own perceptions of people. No one is intentionally difficult; it’s just that their behaviors and communication styles are different from our own. Understanding your own personality and those of your family and colleagues makes the difficulty “disappear.” You need to be aware of how you speak to others and realize different communication styles are required for different people, particularly when under stress.
The book centers around the CORE Multidimensional Awareness Profile assessment. The author is a certified CORE facilitator. Taking the assessment, you’re classified into one of four personalities; Commander, Organizer, Relater and Entertainer. Much of the book discusses these profiles in detail and how they can most effectively interact with each other. I believe you’d get more out of this book if you know your CORE profile.
One interesting point made by the author is that many companies promote only commander and organizer types to senior leadership positions—often to their detriment. Each personality has incredible value to offer and a well-rounded leadership team can more effectively manage an organization. I happen to be a relater\entertainer required to act as a commander\organizer. I wonder how that impacts stress and productivity levels?
February 4, 2013
Informative of the different personalities, but didn't really help with how to deal with people with the different personalities other than from a manager perspective. Really only gave the perspective from one type of personality, which was the main character in the story line. If would have been nice to have the author explore the other personality types in more depth as well as how the different personalities could better work together both in professional and personal environments. For instance, how can someone motivate the Entertainer personality and keep them on task?
March 29, 2013
I won't be reading any further. Either she published without an editor or she had a barely literate one. Two grammatical mistakes before the 'story' even started, one of which was so shocking I had to re-read the sentence four times to be sure I'd seen what I had. That kind of thing is so distracting a good story can really suffer, but in this case the story is nauseatingly clichéd from the first sentence. I just can't get past it.
May 13, 2014
While the message in this book may seem a little obvious (be aware of others' character and act according to them), the detail in which the author explores the different types of character and how they interact with others is extremely useful.
On the other hand, since the author uses a narrative to teach the lessons, the message of each chapter is not that clear for some of the chapters, and it may be difficult to comprehend for people who are picking up the book for a quick read.
On the other hand, since the author uses a narrative to teach the lessons, the message of each chapter is not that clear for some of the chapters, and it may be difficult to comprehend for people who are picking up the book for a quick read.
August 1, 2012
When I first saw this title I giggled to myself imagining making people literally disappear. The book focuses on self awareness and acceptance of people's differences. Much less fun but useful.
December 15, 2013
This was a great companion to being privileged enough to hear the speaker in person. If only I could have read it before-hand. Now, I would like to read Contagious Leadership as well.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews