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 manager’s job. Whether it comes from direct reports or people above, outbursts, irrational demands, griping, and other disruptions need to be dealt with–and it’s 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 book’s simple steps, examples, and scripts explain how to right even the most hopeless situations. You’ll 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 – Develop the situational awareness required to spot trouble even earlier in the future Every manager has “problem people.” What sets great managers apart is how they turn them into productive team players. Prepare to transform the troublesome into the tremendous.

Table of Contents

PART 1 THE CALL TO EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Chapter 1. The Leadership Crisis Point
Chapter 2. Accept the Call of Exceptional Leadership
Chapter 3. The Mindset to Lead the Unleadable

PART 2 THE LEADER IN ACTION: SPOTTING TROUBLE, DEALING WITH TROUBLE
Chapter 4. Fine-Tune Your Radar for Trouble
Chapter 5. Take Action: Transforming the Troublesome
Chapter 6. Follow Through: A Bridge to Enduring Improvement
Chapter 7. Decision Time: Remove or Improve?

PART 3 THE LEADER IN ACTION: PREVENTING TROUBLE
Chapter 8. The Need for Mountains
Chapter 9. Set Expectations of Excellence
Chapter 10. Expecting Excellence Every Day
Chapter 11. Exceptional Starts Lead to Exceptional Results

PART 4 LEADING LEADERS
Chapter 12. Lead Leaders: Growing Proven Ability
Chapter 13. Leader, Lead Thyself: Exceptional Self-Leadership
Chapter 14. Closing Notes on Transforming the Troublesome to the Tremendous