Rating: 
Summary: It makes you think...
Review: ...and any book that can do that is worth something. The authors have focused their descriptions on the most common problem behaviors. The most striking thing you will see in the book is your own behavior. You will recognize a bit of yourself in this book. Problem people will be less evil to you and appear more human as you understand what is motivating the behavior. Seeing them as basically good is a wonderful way to deal with people. Read this book and see problem people for who they are and the ally they can become.
Rating: 
Summary: Some sound advice and a variety of flaws
Review: Dr. Rick Brinkman and Dr. Rick Kirschner are Naturopathic physicians who wrote the book, Dealing with People You Can't Stand, with good intentions of helping people identify and deal with the 10 most difficult behaviors.
Effective communication is key to successfully dealing with difficult behaviors. Good examples of effective communication are given in chapter 4. One communication technique is Blending. Dr. Rick & Dr. Rick state "Blending is any behavior by which you reduce the differences between you and another in order to meet them where they are and move to common ground." Another strong point of this book are the illustrations of the Lens of Understanding. They are throughout the book and are very helpful. The Lens of Understanding illustrations help you to see the organizational framework. The illustrations are formatted to resemble the cross hairs of a scope on a rifle. They are an effective visual aide. One of the weak areas are the typographical errors. There are several throughout the book. One example is on page xii. The period after the 2 is missing. Another typo is on page 118, in paragraph three. The word when is spelled ohen. Another weak aspect is contradiction. For example in the Introduction Dr. Rick & Dr. Rick tell you that the difficult person will change. Their statement "While you can't change difficult people, you can communicate with them in such a way that they change themselves. It's a matter of knowing how to get through to them when they're behaving badly.", contradicts itself in several places throughout the book. The authors tell you that you better adjust your attitude. One example of this is on page 68. The heading is in bold lettering and states "You Better Adjust Your Attitude." They tell you to watch your emotions when dealing with a Tank. On page 201, Dr. Rick & Dr. Rick give more contradicting advice. In the seventh ounce of prevention, they tell you to beware of multitasking when on the telephone. Then in the eighth
ounce of prevention they tell you to use your phone time to catch up on personal hygiene.
Errors and contradictions aside this book helped me to have a better insight to what makes some people tick.
This helps me communicate more effectively, thus taking some of the stress out of my life.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant Surprise from Grad Students
Review: From Lynn Baker, Asst. Professor at the University of Oklahoma. I have used this book and accompanying videos in graduate level classes. Students consistently give rave reviews to the book's readability. Not only do students learn techniques for dealing with difficult people, they discover that they themselves sometimes become one or more of the difficult types. Fortunately, readers can learn to rid themselves of undesirable behaviors. Thanks Rick and Rick for this reader-friendly and practical text. How about a superb revision soon?
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Summary: How To Cope With The Trouble Making Boss.
Review: I have come to realize, that on any job you have. There will be a boss or even bosses that you just can't stand. This is certainly true with me. And I have come to the conclusion is to just try your best to get along with that trouble making boss and "turn to other way." This might sound hard to do, but try to put yourself in your boss'es shoes. They probably feel like they are being overcome with their work load and feel the need to take their vengence out on the employees. Or it could be the other way around. They may not realize that there actions are hurtful and can really do some damage that way. Look at the bright side, they may or may not do it to the other employees. My friends, try as you might to have patience with these people and see there side. They may not be as bad as you think they are.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable Reference to Have on your Business Bookshelf
Review: I liked the practicality of the advice in this book. You can't change other people's behavior; you can only change your reaction to that behavior. Also, check out "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff".
Rating:
Summary: excellent reference
Review: I was actually required to read this book for a college leadership class. I found it to be an excellent resource and I would recommend this book to anyone. It has many implications dealing with leadership, but you do not need to be a leader to find this book helpful.
Rating:
Summary: excellent reference
Review: I was actually required to read this book for a college leadership class. I found it to be an excellent resource and I would recommend this book to anyone. It has many implications dealing with leadership, but you do not need to be a leader to find this book helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Most Helpful Guide I've Found
Review: I was giving a workshop for people who were starting or re-entering the workforce for a graduate program in mental health. I did extensive research in our extensive school library, including books and periodicals. This was, by far, the most useful source of information that I found. It would be useful for anyone from an entry level worker to a top executive. It identifies the 10 "most difficult" types of people, and gives clear, step-by-step strategies for dealing with them. It also gives general advice for better communications. The advice is profound, yet written so anyone can understand, with narrative examples of the difficult behaviors.
My workshop was very successful, and I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: I found this book so useful that I couldn't believe my eyes
Review: I was looking for a reference book to aid a seminar I was about to give on interpersonal communications to aid selling skills. The book explains behavioral patterns and groups difficult people under 10 main types. And believe me you know them all! The book also contains live examples, which makes it all the more useful and valuable. I strongly recommend you to read it.
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Summary: This Book Changed my career (for the better!)
Review: I'm a felony probation officer. I deal with difficult people. I applied the clear techniques provided with an offender described for years as "a real nasty guy...." by previous probation officers. The technique worked immediately, the man expressed appreciation saying "You are the first person in your department who ever understood me...I'll do exactly what you told me to do." I could relate scores of other times these techniques have helped over the years. Rick & Rick's set of tapes is also extremely helpful. You won't be sorry you learned this stuff.
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