Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)
Named one of "22 new books...that you should consider reading before the year is out" by Fortune
"This practical and empathetic guide to taking the high road is worth a look for workers lost in conflict." -- Publisher's Weekly
A research-based, practical guide for how to handle difficult people at work.
Work relationships can be hard. The stress of dealing with difficult people dampens our creativity and productivity, degrades our ability to think clearly and make sound decisions, and causes us to disengage. We might lie awake at night worrying, withdraw from work, or react in ways we later regret--rolling our eyes in a meeting, snapping at colleagues, or staying silent when we should speak up.
Too often we grin and bear it as if we have no choice. Or throw up our hands because one-size-fits-all solutions haven't worked. But you can only endure so much thoughtless, irrational, or malicious behavior--there's your sanity to consider, and your career.
In Getting Along, workplace expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers--the insecure boss, the passive-aggressive peer, the know-it-all, the biased coworker, and others--and provides strategies tailored to dealing constructively with each one. She also shares principles that will help you turn things around, no matter who you're at odds with. Taking the high road isn't easy, but Gallo offers a crucial perspective on how work relationships really matter, as well as the compassion, encouragement, and tools you need to prevail--on your terms. She answers questions such as: Why can't I stop thinking about that nasty email?! What's behind my problem colleague's behavior? How can I fix things if they won't cooperate? I've tried everything--what now?
Full of relatable, sometimes cringe-worthy examples, the latest behavioral science research, and practical advice you can use right now, Getting Along is an indispensable guide to navigating your toughest relationships at work--and building interpersonal resilience in the process.
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Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review. She is the author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict and a cohost of HBR's Women at Work podcast. Her articles have been collected in dozens of books on emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback, time management, and leadership. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Gallo has helped thousands of leaders deal with conflict more effectively and navigate complicated workplace dynamics. She is a graduate of Yale University and holds a master's from Brown University.
Connect with Amy Gallo at amyegallo.com
"a brilliant, easy-to-read book on how to deal with any type of colleague who may cross your path. Using research, plus interviews and her own personal experiences, Gallo has written a book that is to the point, practical and encouraging." -- Institute of Leadership and Management Edge magazine
"Getting Along by Amy Gallo is an indispensable guide to navigating your toughest relationships at work--and building interpersonal resilience in the process." -- SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management)
Named one of The Best Leadership Books of 2022 by LeadershipNow.com
"[Amy Gallo] has a long record of writing accessibly about workplace dynamics. Dealing with tormentors and other tricky colleagues is hard, but for each of the character types, Gallo sets out step-by-step tactics. Most of all, she encourages us to understand the underlying issues before we react to problem colleagues" -- Financial Times
"The bottom line is that Getting Along can give you confidence to try to improve tough relationships at work (including ones where you might be part of the problem.)" -- Charter (charterworks.com)
Named a Top Voice in Gender Equity by LinkedIn
Advance Praise for Getting Along:
"We all go to work with a relationship résumé that shapes how we feel about ourselves, how we trust, how we communicate, and how we manage conflict. Getting Along offers a clear guide to navigating the murky waters of relationships at work." -- Esther Perel, psychotherapist; New York Times bestselling author; host, Where Should We Begin? and How's Work? podcasts
"Amy Gallo is that rare combination of a first-class thinker and a wonderful writer. Getting Along tells us how to work well, even with that jerk we wish would get another job. Highly recommend." -- Daniel Goleman, bestselling author, Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence
"Getting Along is both practical and wise. And Amy Gallo is exactly the person you want by your side for the next step of your professional journey." -- Amy C. Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School; author, The Fearless Organization
"An accessible, actionable book about how to navigate your toughest collaborations--and turn them into some of your most rewarding work relationships." -- Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Think Again; host, TED WorkLife podcast
"A must-have for everyone in the workforce. Amy Gallo's handbook is a treasure chest of practical, evidence-based tips. I will be referring to and recommending this essential guide for years to come!" -- Dolly Chugh, author, The Person You Mean to Be and A More Just Future
"If you've ever lost sleep over a relationship at work, this book is for you. Amy Gallo has written a research-backed guide filled with relatable stories to help you turn the most complicated interactions into something to learn from." -- Linda A. Hill, Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; coauthor, Collective Genius and Being the Boss
"In this wise and deeply researched book, Amy Gallo has presented a powerful and actionable framework for dealing with difficult coworkers. No matter your situation, better working relationships start here." -- Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author, The Power of Regret, WHEN, and DRIVE
