In the Land of Difficult People: 24 Timeless Tales Reveal How to Tame Beasts at Work

24 fables taken from around the world illustrate 'best practice' ideas for handling difficult people at work. Unlike the usual Western approach, this book provides analysis of different cultural and social reactions to difficulty, and juxtaposes the folk stories with a brief analysis discussing organizational habits that adversely affect organizations at all levels. A lively, intriguing format, this will be enjoyed by both business and general-interest libraries.

I've seen Gargiulo in his facilitation practice and he uses stories effectively to get to the "heart" of corporate matters. In this book he uses folk tales and myth with great effectiveness to cut through to the core of complex interactions among conflicting personalities, and guides participants in how to effectively resolve these issues in a managerial or corporate environment, or even in institutions like schools or churches. Gargiulo contends and I agree that putting these dynamics into stories inhabited by animals and other creatures makes them less threatening and easier to digest, but still allows a skilled analyst like Gargiulo to derive the deeper meanings from these interactions and create a space where readers can learn how to deal effectively with wolves, sheep and lions in their own lives. You can get a taste for how Gargiulo works and the flavor of this excellent book in his radio interviews, which are currently taking place -- I recommend his warm and humorous way of delivering timeless truths in the wrapping of "Once Upon a Time" comfort. Great source material for trainers, HR, managers and executives who inhabit the jungle of corporate America.