Bullies, Tyrants & Impossible People: How to Beat Them Without Joining Them
by Ronald M. Shapiro & Mark A. Jankowski with James Dale

Recommended for:
- anyone who ever has to deal with difficult people

This is one of those must-have books. Not only did I learn some new things, the authors showed me new ways to apply principles and methods I already knew. It’s always good to expand your repertoire in positive ways.

Ronald Shapiro and Mark Jankowski note that “Difficult people tend to act in ways that cause us to react. By definition, reacting means we have lost control.” (at p. 13). They set out their N.I.C.E. approach to dealing with difficult people, which is “a systematic approach for successfully dealing with all of life’s most difficult people without becoming one of them.” (at p. 10) N.I.C.E. stands for:

N – Neutralize your emotions
I – Identify the type
C – Control the encounter
E – Explore options

I especially like their categorization of difficult people as Situationally Difficult, Strategically Difficult, and Simply Difficult because it’s functionally based.

When you’ve read this book, you will understand why Ronald Shapiro and Mark Jankowski are so effective at what they do. By using their insights and their strategies, you, too, can effectively deal with difficult people without becoming one, yourself.

About the authors:
Ronald M. Shapiro is an expert negotiator, lawyer and sports agent, as well as being an author of many books and articles. His profile page at his law firm is http://www.shapirosher.com/rms/

Mark A. Jankowski has lectured on negotiation and dispute resolution at Johns Hopkins University and at the Wharton School of Business. He has co-authored a number of books with Ronald Shapiro and co-founded the Shapiro Negotiations Institute with him.

Published by Crown Business (Random House, Inc.), New York, in 2005.
ISBN 1-4000-5011-1

Review by Anne E. McTavish