Leading the Unleadable: How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People

The control-freak, the narcissist, the slacker, the cynic... Difficult people are the worst part of a managers job.

Whether it comes from direct reports or people above, outbursts, irrational demands, griping, and other disruptions need to be dealt withand its your responsibility to do it. Leading the Unleadable turns this dreaded chore into a straight forward process that gently, yet effectively, improves behaviors. Written by an insider in the tech industry, where personality issues routinely wreck projects, the book reveals a core truth: most people actually want to contribute results, not cause headaches.

Once you realize the potential for change, the books simple steps, examples, and scripts explain how to right even the most hopeless situations. Youll learn how to:

Master the necessary mindset

Explain the problem calmly in a short feedback session

Get a commitment to change, and follow up

Coach others to replicate the process