Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases for Coming Out on Top Even in the Toughest Office Conditions (Perfect Phrases Series) [Paperback]

Susan Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2008 | Series: Perfect Phrases Series

This book provides the right phrase for every situation...every time. No matter how much you love your job, you will inevitably run into difficult situations on the job that test your ability to keep your cool. Written by the author of "Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People", this handy reference of ready-to-use phrases will help you avoid disasters, steer clear of sticky circumstances with coworkers, and leave you in control. If you're asked to give an impromptu presentation or you accidentally send a personal e-mail to your boss, you'll have the best words for every situation, including: handling criticism and being heard criticizing; picking up the ball when someone else has dropped it; getting credit for your project when an associate takes the praise; and deflecting a flirtatious client or coworker. Filled with phrases for every mistake, mix-up, and mishap, this guide will be become your best friend in the workplace. There are no difficult situations...when you have "Perfect Phrases."

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Right Phrase for Every Situation . . . Every Time

WNo matter how much you love your job, you will inevitably run into difficult situations on the job that test your ability to keep your cool. Written by the author of Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People, this handy reference of ready-to-use phrases will help you avoid disasters, steer clear of sticky circumstances with coworkers, and leave you in control. If you’re asked to give an impromptu presentation or you accidentally send a personal e-mail to your boss, you’ll have the best words for every situation, including:

• Handling criticism and being heard criticizing
• Picking up the ball when someone else has dropped it
• Getting credit for your project when an associate takes the praise
• Deflecting a flirtatious client or coworker

Filled with phrases for every mistake, mix-up, and mishap, this guide will be become your best friend in the workplace. There are no difficult situations . . . when you have “Perfect Phrases.”

About the Author

Susan Benjamin has brought communications issues to the nation for almost 20 years. Publications from the Wall Street Journal to the Chicago Tribune have featured Susan's novel approaches while her opinion pieces on language-related issues have appeared in USA Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Daily News, Government Executive and countless others. Her books include Words at Work, Quick and Painless Business Writing, and Instant Marketing for Almost Free.
As a consultant, she has trained countless employees on the most advantageous way of addressing difficult people and circumstances in the workplace; and has written numerous how-to sheets and style guides, as support.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071597328
• ISBN-13: 978-0071597326
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Business & Investing > Organizational Behavior > Workplace

More About the Author

Susan Benjamin is founder of Words at Work, Inc., which offers writing services and strategies for all sizes of businesses. "Few medium-sized companies, or big ones for that matter, can boast of its skill bank," wrote Tom Peters in his book Liberation Management. Benjamin has also taught writing at Berklee and other colleges in Boston.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of talking points for business, December 4, 2010

By 

Tony Deblauwe (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases for Coming Out on Top Even in the Toughest Office Conditions (Perfect Phrases Series) (Paperback)

The workplace carries its share of difficult situations and interpersonal conflicts. Finding the right words and thinking through the bigger picture of implications is something every manager struggles with as personalities, politics, and business demands make getting work done a challenge. This book contains many great examples of scenarios where precision in language is vital. While you can't predict every situation, the chapters are arranged in such a way that key categories help you pick and choose material that will help make your important and difficult conversations more effective.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Phrases, July 13, 2011

By 

Kaley Klemp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases for Coming Out on Top Even in the Toughest Office Conditions (Perfect Phrases Series) (Paperback)

Benjamin provides succinct, pithy phrases to use in a variety of workplace situations that can make difficult conversations much easier. Benjamin's book is a complementary tool to our Direct-Conversations model, offering a step-by-step guide for clear communication in tough situations.

- Kaley Klemp & Jim Warner, Authors, "The Drama-Free Office: A Guide to Healthy Collaboration with Your Team, Coworkers, and Boss"

6 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Tool, April 19, 2009

By 

Debbie Koch (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases for Coming Out on Top Even in the Toughest Office Conditions (Perfect Phrases Series) (Paperback)

I have found this to be a great book. A must have in your office!