Book helps workers deal with difficult people
Do you work with someone who gets on your nerves? Maybe it is someone who is constantly seeking attention. Maybe it is someone whose drama infects the whole office. Maybe it is someone who is a control freak and has to have their input on every little detail. Maybe it is someone who is practically a blank wall and cannot communicate well. Clinical professor of psychiatry Jody J. Foster, along with forensic psychiatry fellow Michelle Joy takes a look at problem personality types and breaks down how to deal with them in the workplace in “The Schmuck in My Office” (St. Martins, $25.99.)
Foster breaks down problem personalities and talks about how they got the way they are.
Dramatic personality types include Narcissus — too me-centered; the Venus Flytrap — lures with charm and then traps with emotional chaos; and the Swindler-deceptive and manipulative. Distraction personality types include the Bean Counter — perfectionist who can’t leave anything be; The Distracted — who just cannot concentrate; Mr. Hyde — people whose personal problems are interfering with work; and the Lost — people who are having mental impairments that interfere.
There are also the uncategorized: the Robotic — many times on the autism spectrum; the Eccentric — many times rooted in schizophrenia in themselves or family; the Suspicious — conspiracy minded.
The book talks about how to effectively work with difficult personalities and what to do if you are one.