Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People

by Benjamin Susan

Perfect Phrases for the Right Situation, Every Time

Whether it's hiring employees or creating teams, the Perfect Phrases series has the tools for precise, effective communication in any situation. With Perfect Phrases books, you have all the phrases you need to get things done, right at your fingertips!

Genres: Communication, Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Leadership, Management, Relationships

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mike Thompson]

The title is misleading. It does contain "ready-to-use phrases", but I wouldn't say hundreds. The book's strong point is identifying many difficult situations and giving practical guidence for how to deliver your message successfully.

There are two ways to apply the lessons learned from this work. The first is to keep this handy so that you can consult it before having difficult conversation or composing a challenging e-mail or letter. The second is to pinternalize the recommendations for handling those difficult situations that leap out at you totally unannounced. Those are the ones where you'll need to react quickly to defuse it.

I consider this a worthwhile addition to every person's personal library.

[Christopher Boyd]

My low rating is mostly a reflection of the difference in work culture in the country where I work and the country where the author has worked. Perhaps, If I felt the same way about our standards of professionalism here, I would need as many tools. But, we don't. In corporate Australia, we are efficient in both time and accuracy, and don't need to be 'managed' and reminded as often as this book suggests.

I appreciate the objectivity approach and believe the constant action of ensuring communication is always objective and never subjective is a great tip. Also, the Accuracy Principle is a good foundation principle for communicating with difficult people. Being objective and clear, and the use of numbers and dates instead of a generalism is helpful, for sure.

I like the if-then structure for coworkers who withhold information.

I like the quote "remember that even if you're talking softly, body language screams."

I like the section on getting to the root of the problem with a neutral line of questioning.

I am sure others will find this book useful, but I stand by my assessment. Two stars. It's not my style.

[Russell Watson]

Some of us wind up in positions where dealing with folks who are upset or in otherwise difficult circumstances is unavoidable. This book offers a huge assortment of creative responses covering a wide range of issues. Over time, one can improve their communications skills greatly by referring to this book after a confrontational moment and reflecting upon the author's advice. Of course, if you know something's coming, it can help you prepare. It is mostly work related making it a good one to tuck away in your desk as a secret weapon.

[Ren]

This is one of those books that would make a great reference guide for managers and anyone in or thinking about a leadership role. Even workers who do not necessarily see themselves as leaders could benefit from the phrases that address behavior externally and internally in a positive, professional way.

Most of the education field could stand some brushing up on recognizing and responding to mobbing.

[Sarah Jensen]

"Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People" by Susan Benjamin presents a practical approach to navigating challenging interactions and personalities. While the title suggests an abundance of "ready-to-use phrases," readers may find that the actual number is more limited than expected. However, the book excels in its primary objective: identifying various difficult situations and offering insightful guidance on how to handle them effectively.

One of the greatest strengths of this book lies in its ability to serve as a reference tool. Whether you're preparing for a tough conversation or crafting a difficult email, the advice provided can be invaluable. The guidance is not only relevant to specific scenarios but also encourages readers to internalize the recommendations, allowing for quicker, more confident responses in unexpected situations.

The practical tips and frameworks presented make this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills in the face of conflict. It offers a solid foundation for approaching challenging personalities with a measured and thoughtful response.

Overall, "Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People" is a worthy addition to anyone's personal library. Despite the slight discrepancy in the title regarding the number of phrases, the practical insights and strategies provided make it an essential guide for mastering difficult conversations and enhancing interpersonal relationships.

[Doug Adamson]

Quick clarification: the book is by Susan Benjamin, not Benjamin Susan. I received this book as a gag gift in a gift exchange at a Christmas party. It is actually very good with lots of practical suggestions on dealing with difficult people in various settings and in various roles. Well worth the read!

[Beth]

This is most helpful as a reference book to keep around for specific scenarios. I think that the author is so focused on diffusing tension that the book fails to account for the importance of honesty in many of these interactions.

[Valerie R]

Exclusively work related, so it's up to the reader to adapt it for other situations.

[Jomeow]

Good reference for dealing with people for work. Should keep it handy.
It could help me more if it could talk a bit on responding to invalid feedback, and if it dealt with life scenarios.

[Tracy Colby]

A

[Oscar]

for horrors of kindle unlimited essay

[Allie]

A must have for all bosses and anyone in customer service.

[Abdullah]

This book has some useful points,actually a lot of things that i really see in reality... but it doesn't get straight to it ... it could be a lot shorter than that.
I give it a B mines...

[adri]

It was an interesting layout and found the content to be quite helpful in general! Short and insightful read

[Millie]

I stopped reading when it said to say things akin to "Calm down" to refocus conversations. Nope!

[Any Length]

very helpful book.

[Anthony]

Pretty dire really. The layout of the book was appalling.

[Andras Bisoc]

I liked it.

For a non creative mind it give specific examples of how to handle with specific situations. A lot of material to digest.