In the Land of Difficult People: 24 Timeless Tales Reveal How to Tame Beasts at Work [Hardcover]

Terrence L. Gargiulo (Author), Gini Graham Scott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2008

Treasured for centuries, the world's folk tales have left a legacy of wisdom for countless generations. Going beyond simple entertainment, stories such as "The Lion and the Hare" and "The Woodcutter's Daughter" instruct through example how to live in a world populated with dishonest, petty, and conniving characters. "In the Land of Difficult People" presents 24 charmingly illustrated fables. Taken from around the world, each exemplifies the best methods to use when dealing with the difficult people at work. This helpful book identifies eight major types of difficult people, giving readers strategies for working with each of them.From untrustworthy ravens to commitment - avoiding snails and poor-communicating monkeys, this instructive collection follows each story with a down-to-earth analysis of how to manage any situation involving the toughest of characters. For anyone venturing 'into the woods' of modern-day workplace, this book is a powerful potion of common sense that will lead to happily-ever-after endings every time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Terrence L. Gargiulo (Monterey, CA) is President of MakingStories.net and one of the leading authorities on the role of narrative in organizations. Gini Graham Scott, PH.D. (Oakland and Santa Monica, CA) is is the Founder and Director of Changemakers and the author of many books, including A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses (978-0-8144-7298-9).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 169 pages
• Publisher: Amacom Books (April 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814400299
• ISBN-13: 978-0814400296
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Archetypal Verities Made Practical, May 23, 2008

By 

Tom Bunzel "Presentation Professor" (Los Angeles (Storyville), Ca) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Land of Difficult People: 24 Timeless Tales Reveal How to Tame Beasts at Work (Hardcover)

I've seen Gargiulo in his facilitation practice and he uses stories effectively to get to the "heart" of corporate matters. In this book he uses folk tales and myth with great effectiveness to cut through to the core of complex interactions among conflicting personalities, and guides participants in how to effectively resolve these issues in a managerial or corporate environment, or even in institutions like schools or churches. Gargiulo contends and I agree that putting these dynamics into stories inhabited by animals and other creatures makes them less threatening and easier to digest, but still allows a skilled analyst like Gargiulo to derive the deeper meanings from these interactions and create a space where readers can learn how to deal effectively with wolves, sheep and lions in their own lives. You can get a taste for how Gargiulo works and the flavor of this excellent book in his radio interviews, which are currently taking place -- I recommend his warm and humorous way of delivering timeless truths in the wrapping of "Once Upon a Time" comfort. Great source material for trainers, HR, managers and executives who inhabit the jungle of corporate America.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars In the Land of Difficult People, August 10, 2008

By 

Barbara Gutierrez (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Land of Difficult People: 24 Timeless Tales Reveal How to Tame Beasts at Work (Hardcover)

The book is entertaining but not as good as I expected. I consider it gives good advice at employee/team member level but not at a managerial level. It is easy to read, presents a good variety of situations but not practical advice for managers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 24 fables taken from around the world illustrate 'best practice' ideas for handling difficult people at work, January 12, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Land of Difficult People: 24 Timeless Tales Reveal How to Tame Beasts at Work (Hardcover)

24 fables taken from around the world illustrate 'best practice' ideas for handling difficult people at work. Unlike the usual Western approach, this book provides analysis of different cultural and social reactions to difficulty, and juxtaposes the folk stories with a brief analysis discussing organizational habits that adversely affect organizations at all levels. A lively, intriguing format, this will be enjoyed by both business and general-interest libraries.