The Asshole Survival Guide

From the international bestselling expert on dealing with difficult individuals, this indispensable resource combines cutting-edge research with real-life examples, making it both thought-provoking and often hilarious. It provides clear steps for rejecting, deflecting, and deflating the jerks that can blight our lives. Being around such individuals can severely damage performance and wellbeing; studies show that even one difficult person in a team can reduce performance by 30 to 40%. The rise of social media has exacerbated incivility, with 40% of people reporting online harassment. The author, a Stanford professor, offers practical advice on identifying and addressing various types of difficult individuals, drawing from research and insights gained from 8,000 emails on the subject. With expertise and humor, he presents a methodical game plan that includes an "asshole audit" to determine the type of difficult person you’re dealing with, along with detection strategies. He shares field-tested techniques, from avoidance strategies to mind tricks and the art of love bombing. Finally, he warns of the dangers of "asshole blindness," where one might inadvertently contribute to the problem. Readers will learn effective ways to handle difficult individuals in both professional and personal settings.