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The Manager’s Communication Toolkit: Tools and Techniques for Leading Difficult Personalities
How to Communicate with Difficult People in the Workplace and Successfully Lead Any Personality Type
This is a clear and practical guide to high performance business communication. Successful managers keep their organizations and teams focused on their goals and avoid the mire of drama and frustration. This book teaches managers how to deal with the most difficult people, listen and respond to others, resolve conflict, and be a stronger leader.
In The Manager’s Communication Toolkit, Tina Kuhn, an accomplished Senior Executive with 35 years of expertise in organizational transformation, introduces hands-on strategies for dealing with the ten most challenging personality types: the Manipulator, Gossiper, Naysayer, Controller, Perfectionist, Yes-Man, Drama Queen, Recluse, Whiner, and Liar. Dividing the book into three parts, she breaks down the different communication tools, illustrates techniques for working purposefully and skillfully with the personalities she profiles, and shows readers how to explore their own communication and management styles.
​This book is for anyone who needs to communicate with others at work—bosses, coworkers, subordinates, and customers. It provides a framework to have less conflict, better communication, and stronger leadership techniques. Ultimately, it can positively influence all relationships: at work, home, school, or anywhere else.
This is a clear and practical guide to high performance business communication. Successful managers keep their organizations and teams focused on their goals and avoid the mire of drama and frustration. This book teaches managers how to deal with the most difficult people, listen and respond to others, resolve conflict, and be a stronger leader.
In The Manager’s Communication Toolkit, Tina Kuhn, an accomplished Senior Executive with 35 years of expertise in organizational transformation, introduces hands-on strategies for dealing with the ten most challenging personality types: the Manipulator, Gossiper, Naysayer, Controller, Perfectionist, Yes-Man, Drama Queen, Recluse, Whiner, and Liar. Dividing the book into three parts, she breaks down the different communication tools, illustrates techniques for working purposefully and skillfully with the personalities she profiles, and shows readers how to explore their own communication and management styles.
​This book is for anyone who needs to communicate with others at work—bosses, coworkers, subordinates, and customers. It provides a framework to have less conflict, better communication, and stronger leadership techniques. Ultimately, it can positively influence all relationships: at work, home, school, or anywhere else.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2019
104 people are currently reading
2,024 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 3, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A book on how to communicate with others, and which ways work best with which personality types. Most of the book is really about getting to know your workers and stay engaged with them .
Mostly common sense, but everyone needs to be reminded.
A book on how to communicate with others, and which ways work best with which personality types. Most of the book is really about getting to know your workers and stay engaged with them .
Mostly common sense, but everyone needs to be reminded.
April 19, 2020
Was excited to get this as a goodreads giveaway, but abandoned before finishing. So take my review with a grain of salt as I didn't come near finishing it...maybe it got better?
The book may be better suited to someone with a different personality than mine. My primary challenges were that it felt remedial and like a rehash of other work / trainings but more negative. The author's framework of "types" are really labels for some of people's defensive behaviors that come out when they are at their worst.
The whole framework reminded me of a quote from another communication book (Crucial Conversations, p. 108), “By employing a handy label, we are now dealing not with a complex human being, but with a bonehead..� And in the end, I think that approach does all involved a disservice.
It often felt remedial too. For instance, was a vignette necessary to say folks should not go on their phone when introducing a new employee around the office?Or was it necessary to include “be polite and respectful� as a “Face-to-Face Conversational Do�?
The book may be better suited to someone with a different personality than mine. My primary challenges were that it felt remedial and like a rehash of other work / trainings but more negative. The author's framework of "types" are really labels for some of people's defensive behaviors that come out when they are at their worst.
The whole framework reminded me of a quote from another communication book (Crucial Conversations, p. 108), “By employing a handy label, we are now dealing not with a complex human being, but with a bonehead..� And in the end, I think that approach does all involved a disservice.
It often felt remedial too. For instance, was a vignette necessary to say folks should not go on their phone when introducing a new employee around the office?Or was it necessary to include “be polite and respectful� as a “Face-to-Face Conversational Do�?
February 18, 2020
The Manager’s Communication Toolkit by Tina Kuhn is a detailed resource on dealing with different personalities in the workplace. Kuhn spells out the differences between personalities providing descriptions, traits, techniques and how best to prepare building on every day business dealings using examples. There is something here for anyone wanting to understand the nuances of relationships and how best to become more focused and purposeful. #Å·±¦ÓéÀÖGiveaway.
March 15, 2019
Practical and useful guide to better communication
I won a copy of this in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway and it has not affected my review.
This delivered on the promise in the title and gave me a whole toolkit of different ways to communicate and tips for tailoring to different kinds of people. The best thing about this book is that it is full of scenarios where a business interaction goes poorly, followed by a scenario that resolves the issues using the recommended techniques. It's a great model to help you think through your own situations. I also found useful the thorough breakdown of different communication techniques, different personality types, and different leadership styles, with discussion of advantages and disadvantages.
I think this will be useful to anyone trying to be a more effective communicator and team member, not just for managers - I'm not currently in a management position but my past management experience helps me with the big picture perspective and with managing myself, especially when my current supervisors use the laissez-faire style.
Ultimately, this was a well-organized and highly structured book filled with useful techniques, and I know I'll be returning to it for reference frequently.
I won a copy of this in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway and it has not affected my review.
This delivered on the promise in the title and gave me a whole toolkit of different ways to communicate and tips for tailoring to different kinds of people. The best thing about this book is that it is full of scenarios where a business interaction goes poorly, followed by a scenario that resolves the issues using the recommended techniques. It's a great model to help you think through your own situations. I also found useful the thorough breakdown of different communication techniques, different personality types, and different leadership styles, with discussion of advantages and disadvantages.
I think this will be useful to anyone trying to be a more effective communicator and team member, not just for managers - I'm not currently in a management position but my past management experience helps me with the big picture perspective and with managing myself, especially when my current supervisors use the laissez-faire style.
Ultimately, this was a well-organized and highly structured book filled with useful techniques, and I know I'll be returning to it for reference frequently.
March 20, 2019
This book pinpoints the main types of employees that any manager comes across during their employment. It discusses each type in length and explains how to handle their particular personalities. I think that most managers will benefit from reading this book.
The book goes into each personality and breaks down their "quirks" and how to deal with them in a mature, professional, and curious way so that you can turn them back into team players and remove the problem that you or they are having on the job. It goes into in dept details that you can start using immediately to solve your problems.
But it goes a step further and helps you understand your personal managing style and your own personal "quirks" so that you can help yourself stop and take a time out before you clash with someone who is different than yourself.
By not only understanding your employees personality but your own as well, you have the makings of a great team that can work together and produce for your company. When you have these key perspectives into the working relationships that you are dealing with in your company, you are a much better manager.
This in dept study has taken Ms. Kuhn years to figure out and put into writing. She has studied the working arena and came out with a real winning book that will help every manager do their job. The book should be on many bosses Christmas list for their managers if they want a team that works well together and doesn't have a lot of personality problems in their workforce.
This book is well worth reading if you are not a manager but may want to be in the future. It's never to soon to start learning how to get along better on your job.
The book goes into each personality and breaks down their "quirks" and how to deal with them in a mature, professional, and curious way so that you can turn them back into team players and remove the problem that you or they are having on the job. It goes into in dept details that you can start using immediately to solve your problems.
But it goes a step further and helps you understand your personal managing style and your own personal "quirks" so that you can help yourself stop and take a time out before you clash with someone who is different than yourself.
By not only understanding your employees personality but your own as well, you have the makings of a great team that can work together and produce for your company. When you have these key perspectives into the working relationships that you are dealing with in your company, you are a much better manager.
This in dept study has taken Ms. Kuhn years to figure out and put into writing. She has studied the working arena and came out with a real winning book that will help every manager do their job. The book should be on many bosses Christmas list for their managers if they want a team that works well together and doesn't have a lot of personality problems in their workforce.
This book is well worth reading if you are not a manager but may want to be in the future. It's never to soon to start learning how to get along better on your job.
May 17, 2019
I received this book as a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway. As a manager, I've been struggling with effective communication and tailoring my style to the personalities of some of my more challenging staff. What I really enjoyed were the scenarios (what could go wrong vs. what could go right) and the bulleted lists and summaries of each chapter. I struggled with what felt like surface level information. The what to do was described, but the how was missing. I know that I need to not get sucked into someone's drama, but how do I avoid allowing myself to become emotionally involved? I'm still trying to find those answers. That said, I do think this is a solid book for a first-time or early manager looking for general information about the types of personalities you find in an office and how to foster a positive environment.
February 13, 2019
An attitude of craftsmanship applied to relationships
One of the best behavior management books for leaders, or actually, anyone who cares to get along better with others
The descriptions of specific types of behaviors that could inhibit, dismantle, disrupt, etcetera, a team are clear, organized, and relevant. I loved the absence of jargon. Another compelling feature is the author's emphasis on positive approaches, as well as examining the leader's own traits.
The analogy of a toolkit is apt, because a team is crafted, needs a leader, and tools ste used for creating and maintaining. I believe I'm incapable of being a manager, but benefitted tremendously from learning techniques that apply not only in the office, but with humans in general.
One of the best behavior management books for leaders, or actually, anyone who cares to get along better with others
The descriptions of specific types of behaviors that could inhibit, dismantle, disrupt, etcetera, a team are clear, organized, and relevant. I loved the absence of jargon. Another compelling feature is the author's emphasis on positive approaches, as well as examining the leader's own traits.
The analogy of a toolkit is apt, because a team is crafted, needs a leader, and tools ste used for creating and maintaining. I believe I'm incapable of being a manager, but benefitted tremendously from learning techniques that apply not only in the office, but with humans in general.
May 12, 2020
I received this book as a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway through Kindle format. The book's premise is a set of guidance to navigate undesirable behaviors. The author says that "when people feel stressed, they may resort to undesirable behaviors as defense mechanisms. . . manipulation, gossip, naysaying, controlling, perfectionism, people pleasing, drama, reclusiveness, whining, and lying." I liked the clear examples this book included for communication across different formats and platforms. I did feel there this was meant for a novice manager, to present a general overall to help those struggling with behaviors. This is a good jumping off point, but not a comprehensive look.
August 24, 2021
A must read
This book is not just for the managers but literally anybody can benefit out of it. I loved how the author has given scenarios to explain how things can go wrong and how you can correct them. The understanding of different personalities and how to deal with them will help you in your personal and professional life. It describes the communication tools that best suits for various people around you. Every chapter is summarized very well with appropriate questions to ask yourself and learn from it. I would say this book is a pretty cheap but probably one of the best management courses.
This book is not just for the managers but literally anybody can benefit out of it. I loved how the author has given scenarios to explain how things can go wrong and how you can correct them. The understanding of different personalities and how to deal with them will help you in your personal and professional life. It describes the communication tools that best suits for various people around you. Every chapter is summarized very well with appropriate questions to ask yourself and learn from it. I would say this book is a pretty cheap but probably one of the best management courses.
June 22, 2019
I really wanted to rate this 1-star, but upped to 2-stars because I got value reading it, primarily through re-interpreting other books from the perspective presented.
My real frustrations about the book:
1. Uses an example of sexual harassment, but gives advice that is not suitable in 2019.
2. Creates yet another set of personality types - rather than use an existing know platform.
3. Has stories that are extreme or artificial - there would be so much more value if the stories were ones that I could relate to.
Disappointed.
My real frustrations about the book:
1. Uses an example of sexual harassment, but gives advice that is not suitable in 2019.
2. Creates yet another set of personality types - rather than use an existing know platform.
3. Has stories that are extreme or artificial - there would be so much more value if the stories were ones that I could relate to.
Disappointed.
May 12, 2020
This is a good book for someone in management to use to see options for dealing with all types of personalities in the office. I found the section on confrontation especially useful. I liked Tina's term of compassionate confrontation. That was a better way of looking at that topic. I would have liked to have seen some hands on tools to help you assess which of the management styles she discussed that one might actually be. That would have been very useful to clarify some of the information and personalize it more.
July 9, 2020
I won The Manager's Communication Toolkit as part of a kindle giveaway. This book isn't written for just managers though any good manager will want to work with their employees behavior/work style. The book breaks down personality types, communication styles and trouble makers. Each one requires a different reaction. Expecting each person to meet you where you are is not fair to the employee if you are the boss. Some have a greater learning curve than others. Bottom line: maintain a line of communication, stick with facts not blame/rumors, and remain calm even when the going gets tough.
May 18, 2019
I won a copy of this ebook in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
I really liked this; it's a very neat and tidy break down of the different kinds of personalities you could come across at work (or in life!) and how to deal with each one professionally in different capacities, such as face to face to deal with specific problems, or in emails, etc.
I think this would be a good resource for people entering the work force and especially for people in mid-level management, like store managers, etc.
I really liked this; it's a very neat and tidy break down of the different kinds of personalities you could come across at work (or in life!) and how to deal with each one professionally in different capacities, such as face to face to deal with specific problems, or in emails, etc.
I think this would be a good resource for people entering the work force and especially for people in mid-level management, like store managers, etc.
August 26, 2019
This was a great book I won on goodreads first reads for an honest review.I found this book to be insightful and lots of information on how we can change our perspectives and attitudes on challenging individuals.this book is a great tool for anyone who weather just starting out or in business for years should read this.
March 9, 2020
I won a copy of this with the good read giveaway but that in no way inflicted my opinions. I really enjoyed this book. I’m moving up to a manager at my current job and thought it would be a perfect book to read. It was very resourceful when dealing with different personalities and informative. I definitely say I will use some of this book’s advice.
April 18, 2020
Great add to the toolbox!
I won this in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway. Super helpful manual to put into my toolbox, not just for management, but really for dealing with all of my peers in the workplace. Much of the information was a refresher, but there were some terrific tips that were new, as well.
I won this in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway. Super helpful manual to put into my toolbox, not just for management, but really for dealing with all of my peers in the workplace. Much of the information was a refresher, but there were some terrific tips that were new, as well.
May 4, 2020
Not impressed.
I was interested in learning more about the connection between communication styles and personalities in a work setting, but disappointed in the end. A slow and clumsy presentation of basic information. May be more helpful to individuals who are entering the workplace for the first time.
I was interested in learning more about the connection between communication styles and personalities in a work setting, but disappointed in the end. A slow and clumsy presentation of basic information. May be more helpful to individuals who are entering the workplace for the first time.
April 17, 2019
I received a Kindle copy of this book from a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway. I'm glad I did. It was clear and concise. I learned some good tips on leadership and will keep this book on hand for when I find myself in one of the situations in the book.
June 7, 2019
Had this been the first business book I read about communications, then I would agree that it is great. However, it read too similar to too many others. I personally did not enjoy reading it nor did I get anything new out of it.
August 7, 2019
The Manager's Communication Toolkit gives great tips that can be implemented immediately. As a manager it is beneficial to have so many examples to get your mind started on the task. This book offers great tips for a large amount of scenarios. Highly recommend.
April 13, 2020
Good Refresher
Everyone in management should read this book! Even if you have taken all your business course, this book is a great reminder. Love the fact that the book included text messages.
Everyone in management should read this book! Even if you have taken all your business course, this book is a great reminder. Love the fact that the book included text messages.
March 22, 2019
I won this book from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaways. Thank you.
Excellent, quick hit resource. Sure to be a great reference point.
Excellent, quick hit resource. Sure to be a great reference point.
March 25, 2019
Excellent resource for anyone in management.
May 1, 2019
This book is so insightful. I think it is a great resource for everyone, regardless of the communication you take part in - from within your family to the workplace and beyond.
May 23, 2019
Very explicit and straightforward.
March 26, 2020
Excellent book!!!
April 10, 2020
Very helpful and easy layout of typical workplace personalities and ways to diffuse situations and communicate; so helpful!
August 17, 2021
(Won this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ) A great tool for supervisors and managers to use as a baseline to create a productive working environment. The examples help the reader see how and when things went wrong and how they could have been handled to better morale and productivity.
October 11, 2019
The Manager’s Communication Toolkit: Tools and Techniques for Leading Difficult Personalities
by Tina Kuhn delivers on providing different tools to work with in dealing with the Difficult people you have to work with as a Manger. The tools will also work as a worker and propbably just in life.
I received a copy thru a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
by Tina Kuhn delivers on providing different tools to work with in dealing with the Difficult people you have to work with as a Manger. The tools will also work as a worker and propbably just in life.
I received a copy thru a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
March 24, 2020
I won this book through a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway and was very curious to start reading it, given the relevance to my work and industry. I'd say that this book is pretty basic and might not be the right choice if you've taken any number of communication or management classes. Provides a nice overview of some of the common communication modes but doesn't feel like it's kept up with modern communication as well --addresses texting but doesn't really acknowledge chat tools (Skype for Business, Slack, etc.) that so many businesses are now using. I mostly skimmed the examples, as they didn't feel necessary to understand how the content would be applied, because of my own experience. Good guidance on self-awareness and how an awareness of others can support successful communication but I don't love that they frame manipulation as something that people are at fault for, for not "setting boundaries" --it's a lot more complicated than that and manipulation can rise to a much higher level in some cases (even in professional settings). The framing of this book is generally pretty negative, focusing on people's "flawed" personality types instead of focusing on strengths. Overall the book feels quite repetitive.
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