Creating Success in a World of Difficult People

About the Book

This book was written for everyone who desires to improve their relationships and their enjoyment of life while living in a sometimes difficult world. There is much more to life than simply getting by while coping with people who seem to thrive on stealing the joy out of living. Difficult people surround us. They live with us, work around us, report to us, and supervise us. In fact, they are us! Yes, as surprising as that might seem, at times, others see us as difficult too.

Within these covers lies the guidance to improve all aspects of our relationships with others. The law of psychological reciprocity says that others will feel an obligation to treat us as we treat them - "As you sow, so shall you reap." Personal "mirrors" are provided so that we can see and understand ourselves as others might view us. Accompanying these mirrors are simple guides to improve the way we approach, communicate with, live, and work with others. These same guides help us understand why others act and behave the way they do, how we can take charge of our lives in an assertive manner so that others don't see us as a "Welcome Mat" for their poor behavior, and how we can reframe our communication efforts to take the fight out of others.

The ideas of a great many seminar attendees, fellow workers, mentors, and friends are contained in this book. The process works. Lives improve, relationships flourish, and careers are enhanced as we learn to assert ourselves in a positive, win-win manner instead of aggressively grabbing what we want or passively allowing others to run roughshod over us. Isn't it time to learn how to connect with the people who now create misery and work with and through the difficult people who make life rougher than it should be? This book can be your guide.

About the Author

Richard S. Johnson is a leader, author, trainer, and management consultant with forty years of progressive leadership experience. He is the author of many books, training programs, and articles that have to do with people and their performance. He has developed several training programs covering the subject of difficult people.

Dick served in many leadership positions in the United States Navy where he managed repair facilities, operational and staff organizations, recruiting efforts, and training groups.. He subsequently used his Navy experience to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of a manufacturing and systems integration company that designed, built, and installed systems used nationally for environmental remediation. He was General Manager of an engineering and logistics company. In each of these positions he held the responsibility for hiring, training, mentoring, growing, and retaining a quality workforce. Creating win-win relationships with fellow workers, customers, and suppliers was an important part of each of these positions.

Dick currently operates a training and consulting company specializing in business support services in areas such as leadership, performance management, and human resources. He leads planning efforts, training and development sessions, and provides ongoing management and team training for many companies. He has long term experience facilitating career transition and outplacement programs.

Dick has an earned reputation for providing solutions and training that works. Clients included individuals, large and small manufacturers, the Federal Treasury Department, builders, contractors, financial and educational institutions, service organizations, governmental organizations, community organizations, and the U.S. Navy.