Leading the Unleadable: How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People [first edition]

Difficult employees are by far the worst part of a manager’s job. Control freaks. Narcissists. Slackers. Cynics. Their outbursts, irrational demands, gripes, and countless other disruptions need to be dealt with, and you are the unlucky one with that job description. But every manager has to deal with these people. What separates the great managers is their ability to turn them into productive team players.Leading the Unleadable turns this seemingly difficult chore into a straight-forward process that gently, yet effectively, improves behaviors. And it begins with understanding a core truth: most people actually want to contribute results, not cause headaches. When the manager resets to that fundamental principle, the potential for change can reveal itself in even the most hopeless situations. Written by an insider in the tech industry, where personality issues routinely wreck projects, the book explains how to:· Master the necessary mindset· Explain the problem calmly in a short feedback session· Get a commitment to change, then follow up· Coach others to replicate the process· Develop the situational awareness required to spot future trouble before it hits Are you a great manager? Of course you believe you are. So don’t just put up with your difficult employees. Anyone can do that. Turn them into the tremendous team players everyone wants them to be!