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Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More...: Research-Driven Scripts For Managing Difficult Personalities At Work
From New York Times bestseller Mark Murphy comes the definitive guide to managing difficult people! Do you ever have to deal with giant egos, or blamers, or people who find drama in every little thing? Do you have to work with anyone who always sees the negative in any situation? Or someone who is hyper-sensitive and always gets their feelings hurt? This book gives you the research-backed scripts to manage the most difficult personalities on your team, including Dramatics, Blamers, Narcissists, the Confidently Incompetent, Negative Personalities, Talented Terrors, and more! This book gives you the specific scripts to improve even the most difficult personalities! Mark Murphy is a New York Times bestselling author, contributor to Forbes, and the founder of Leadership IQ, ranked one of the Top 10 Leadership Development Firms in the world. Mark’s books include Hiring for Attitude, Truth At The Science of Delivering Tough Messages, Hundred Challenge Your People to Give It Their All and They’ll Give You Even More, and HARD The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and U.S. News & World Report. Mark has also appeared on CNN, NPR, CBS Sunday Morning, and ABC’s 20/20.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
About the author
Mark Murphy
19 booksMurphy is the founder and CEO of research and consulting firm Leadership IQ, which specializes in leadership training and employee surveys for the private healthcare industry and large and mid-size corporations.
As the driving force behind Leadership IQ's research arm, Murphy and his findings are often referenced in business news reports.
As the driving force behind Leadership IQ's research arm, Murphy and his findings are often referenced in business news reports.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 5, 2022
Bite sized, actionable advice
As a business owner, I have to manage people - and sadly, some people are difficult to manage.
Other people are VERY difficult to manage.
This book gives some practical advice on spotting the traits of different types of difficult people, and then demonstrates how to deal with them effectively.
I learned a lot from this book. The key is now to remember to respond, rather than react to these challenging folks.
Highly recommended for anyone who finds themselves upset, frustrated or exasperated with employees, contractors or suppliers who aren't easy to get along with!
As a business owner, I have to manage people - and sadly, some people are difficult to manage.
Other people are VERY difficult to manage.
This book gives some practical advice on spotting the traits of different types of difficult people, and then demonstrates how to deal with them effectively.
I learned a lot from this book. The key is now to remember to respond, rather than react to these challenging folks.
Highly recommended for anyone who finds themselves upset, frustrated or exasperated with employees, contractors or suppliers who aren't easy to get along with!
August 8, 2024
Helpful Advice
This book offers some really good advice with various personalities. Each section covered good and bad examples of interacting with different personalities that I found to be especially helpful.
This book offers some really good advice with various personalities. Each section covered good and bad examples of interacting with different personalities that I found to be especially helpful.
February 9, 2026
This was super clear and straightforward. It arranges nine different "difficult personalities" that we encounter in the workplace, up to the worst possible and reiterates that the harder they are to deal with the more personality issues they have for us to address. Start at the smallest, less dangerous, issues first then work your way up. every chapter comes with a bad and good "script", an example of conversation with the problem person. The repetition of each chapter and call backs to the first principles Murphy introduced helped immensely to keep thoughts in order and understand more.
Biggest rules, keep to facts (thus staying rational) and to keep calm, cool, and collected when dealing with anyone that may fall under these nine categories. As all self-improvement books go, there's nothing in here that was really "new" or surprising, but the organization and helpful tips made all the difference. I'm eager to try some new ways of communication with my teams!
Biggest rules, keep to facts (thus staying rational) and to keep calm, cool, and collected when dealing with anyone that may fall under these nine categories. As all self-improvement books go, there's nothing in here that was really "new" or surprising, but the organization and helpful tips made all the difference. I'm eager to try some new ways of communication with my teams!
May 28, 2022
This book is mainly intended for someone who works as a manager, but also provides information on human relationships for our daily life.
Different personality types are presented and a very practical approach model is offered.
I think it is a good start for someone new to management, but it does not cover other topics such as escalation process, when to get HR involved, how to collect evidence to build a dismissing case, etc.
Nonetheless , it is a good tool for supplementing other management books.
Different personality types are presented and a very practical approach model is offered.
I think it is a good start for someone new to management, but it does not cover other topics such as escalation process, when to get HR involved, how to collect evidence to build a dismissing case, etc.
Nonetheless , it is a good tool for supplementing other management books.
November 20, 2022
The descriptions for each of these difficult personalities is quite detailed with specific examples of unacceptable behavior. Because of that, and with the inclusion of good and bad examples of how to steer a conversation with each exhibited behavior, this is a practical guide to correcting and improving employee performance. A must-read for anyone in a leadership position, because the ultimate goal is to work together with the employee for their productive good and the overall health of the organization.
April 13, 2026
I find the formatting of the title a little misleading, because it's not primarily dealing with narcissists but with nine different difficult personalities, narcissists being one of them. I think this would be incredibly helpful for anyone in a management position of any kind, whether employees or volunteers, or if you're just dealing with difficult people (like in family groups too). I might not employ all the scripts or ideas, but it definitely gave me some concrete ideas to work with.
June 23, 2026
ok for new management
I’d say the strongest facet of this book is the personality types described, which could be considered a helpful starting point. Some of the dialogues are decent enough for the author to get the message across, but to call them scripts is overstating their impact; I think they are lacking the human element of these “difficult personalities.” I’d say the book is good for a beginner’s introduction to some problem solving, but not much after that.
I’d say the strongest facet of this book is the personality types described, which could be considered a helpful starting point. Some of the dialogues are decent enough for the author to get the message across, but to call them scripts is overstating their impact; I think they are lacking the human element of these “difficult personalities.” I’d say the book is good for a beginner’s introduction to some problem solving, but not much after that.
September 4, 2023
There wasn’t anything revolutionary in this book but it was able to break things down and analyze personalities really well.
I like how simple concepts were and how the advice was broken down into “easy to digest” bites. The tips and scripts were spot on and seem like they could be implemented without much trouble.
I like how simple concepts were and how the advice was broken down into “easy to digest” bites. The tips and scripts were spot on and seem like they could be implemented without much trouble.
February 11, 2024
A reread to remind me of some feedback techniques.i love reading this book as I can see these traits in so many from the descriptions. I can even identify some of my own traits in these pages. Good scripts for interacting with employees and a great reminder to bite my tongue before I start a conversation.
August 12, 2026
A must read for new leaders
I wish I would have read this book when I first became a Supervisor. I had to learn the hard way on how to deal with these difficult personalities which in my seven years of being a supervisor, I have come across all of these written in this book. I love the "bad" and "good" conversation examples, very helpful.
I wish I would have read this book when I first became a Supervisor. I had to learn the hard way on how to deal with these difficult personalities which in my seven years of being a supervisor, I have come across all of these written in this book. I love the "bad" and "good" conversation examples, very helpful.
February 12, 2026
Great Advice
I supervisor every type of employee mentioned in this book. The motives behind their behaviors make a lot of sense. I will definitely be trying the techniques mentioned in this book.
I supervisor every type of employee mentioned in this book. The motives behind their behaviors make a lot of sense. I will definitely be trying the techniques mentioned in this book.
April 29, 2023
Practical
Concrete advise and actual scripts for dealing with the energy vampires in your life. Definitely worth a look and some dog ears
Concrete advise and actual scripts for dealing with the energy vampires in your life. Definitely worth a look and some dog ears
August 5, 2023
I will definitely be using some the scripts from this book. Great advice!
October 19, 2023
The amount of typos is astronomical
March 28, 2024
Very Helpful
This book takes you thru all the types of bad behaviors and gives you tools for success. I found it wye opening.
This book takes you thru all the types of bad behaviors and gives you tools for success. I found it wye opening.
April 23, 2025
Great Read
This book provides practical tips to navigate difficult personalities. It provides helpful and easy to implement strategies. I recommend it.
This book provides practical tips to navigate difficult personalities. It provides helpful and easy to implement strategies. I recommend it.
Read
November 13, 2022In Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More..., New York Times bestselling author Mark Murphy offers a comprehensive and practical guide for navigating the complex landscape of difficult personalities in the workplace. Drawing upon his extensive experience as the founder of Leadership IQ, Murphy provides readers with research-driven scripts and strategies that enable them to effectively manage a variety of challenging individuals, ranging from narcissists to overly sensitive employees.
Murphy's approach is grounded in empirical research, making his insights not only relevant but also actionable. He identifies common workplace challenges, such as dealing with inflated egos, blamers who shirk responsibility, negative thinkers who can dampen morale, and dramatic personalities that thrive on chaos. Each section addresses a specific personality type, equipping managers and team leaders with the tools needed to foster a more harmonious work environment.
One of the book's key strengths lies in its practical focus. Murphy's scripts offer clear, concise language that can be adapted for real-life situations, empowering readers to confront challenging interactions with confidence. For instance, those dealing with narcissists can refer to tailored responses that deflect self-centered behavior while maintaining professional decorum. The use of actual scripts allows managers to visualize how to implement the strategies in their own workplaces, making the advice feel accessible and applicable.
Murphy’s credibility in the field is further reinforced by his extensive background and the positive reception of his previous works. His insights have been featured in major publications and media outlets, reinforcing his authority in leadership development. This adds an extra layer of trust for readers seeking guidance on navigating the often murky waters of workplace dynamics.
Throughout the book, Murphy’s tone is pragmatic yet supportive, recognizing the emotional toll that managing difficult personalities can take. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, stress management, and the development of emotional intelligence as essential skills for leaders. By tackling the underlying issues associated with various personality types, he encourages readers to cultivate healthier workplace relationships and improve overall team performance.
In summary, Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More... is an invaluable resource for anyone tasked with leading teams or working in collaborative environments. Mark Murphy’s research-driven strategies and scripts provide practical tools tailored for real-world challenges, helping readers navigate interpersonal dynamics with resilience and finesse. This book is a must-read for managers, HR professionals, and anyone interested in improving their communication and leadership skills in the face of difficult personalities.
Murphy's approach is grounded in empirical research, making his insights not only relevant but also actionable. He identifies common workplace challenges, such as dealing with inflated egos, blamers who shirk responsibility, negative thinkers who can dampen morale, and dramatic personalities that thrive on chaos. Each section addresses a specific personality type, equipping managers and team leaders with the tools needed to foster a more harmonious work environment.
One of the book's key strengths lies in its practical focus. Murphy's scripts offer clear, concise language that can be adapted for real-life situations, empowering readers to confront challenging interactions with confidence. For instance, those dealing with narcissists can refer to tailored responses that deflect self-centered behavior while maintaining professional decorum. The use of actual scripts allows managers to visualize how to implement the strategies in their own workplaces, making the advice feel accessible and applicable.
Murphy’s credibility in the field is further reinforced by his extensive background and the positive reception of his previous works. His insights have been featured in major publications and media outlets, reinforcing his authority in leadership development. This adds an extra layer of trust for readers seeking guidance on navigating the often murky waters of workplace dynamics.
Throughout the book, Murphy’s tone is pragmatic yet supportive, recognizing the emotional toll that managing difficult personalities can take. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, stress management, and the development of emotional intelligence as essential skills for leaders. By tackling the underlying issues associated with various personality types, he encourages readers to cultivate healthier workplace relationships and improve overall team performance.
In summary, Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More... is an invaluable resource for anyone tasked with leading teams or working in collaborative environments. Mark Murphy’s research-driven strategies and scripts provide practical tools tailored for real-world challenges, helping readers navigate interpersonal dynamics with resilience and finesse. This book is a must-read for managers, HR professionals, and anyone interested in improving their communication and leadership skills in the face of difficult personalities.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews