SUCCEEDING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE
People working at the bottom of an organization usually have
no choice concerning whom they work with. As a result, they often have to work
with difficult people. In contrast, people at the top almost never have to work
with difficult people because they get to choose who they work with. If someone
they work with becomes difficult, they often let that person go or move him or
her out.
For leaders in the middle, the road is different. They have
some choice in the matter, but not complete control. They may not be able to
get rid of difficult people, but they can often avoid working with them. But
good leaders – ones who learn to lead up, across, and down – find a way to
succeed with people who are hard to work with. Why do they do it? Because it
benefits the organization. How do they do it? They work at finding common
ground and connect with them. And instead of putting these difficult people in
their place, they try to put themselves in their place.
(articles by John C. Maxwell)
