Q. What makes this workbook different from others?
A. It is written by a practicing mental health clinician and not someone with a background in personnel management or industrial psychology. As a clinician is always concerned with the health and well-being of his client, this workbook is written with the best interests of the individual employee in mind.
Q. Is How to Get Along with Almost Anybody at the Workplace effective for everyone?
A. Yes, the material is written to be beneficial to a wide range of personalities and situations.
Q. Why not just ignore people I can’t get along with at the workplace?
A. Not a bad idea, if you can pull it off. But when that person is someone you have to interact with frequently or is in a position of authority over you, it is in your own best interest to develop a more sophisticated and flexible response.
Q. How does this workbook work?
A. The workbook consists of four sections: the text, an illustrative fictional narrative, questions to ponder and supplemental readings. The text provides the information and the narratives illustrate and augment the text. The food-for-thought sections and supplemental readings reinforce critical take-away points.
Q. Can’t I just tune out someone I don’t get along with?
A. More power to you if you can, but that approach doesn’t work for all people all the time. How to Get Along with Almost Anybody at the Workplace provides personal insights and teaches coping skills that help you minimize the impact a coworker can have on you.
Q. It drives me crazy that one or two individuals can have such a negative effect on me. How can I reverse the impact these people have on me?
A. It’s one thing to shield yourself from the negative effects of other people and another to create a more positive and rewarding work environment for yourself. How to Get Along with Almost Anybody at the Workplace offers an entire section devoted to this topic.
Q. Shouldn’t I be able to go to Human Resources department for help in dealing with people I can’t get along with?
A. Yes, but you risk coming across as a problematic employee. Better to upgrade your personal coping skills and go to the authorities in your company only as a last resort.
Q. I’ve found when someone acts like a jerk towards me, I just give them a dose of their own medicine in return. Do you agree with this?
A. No. While emotionally gratifying to do so, paying someone back in their own coin serves only to make matters worse. How to Get Along with Almost Anybody at the Workplace recommends ways to reduce or eliminate the annoying behavior while acting as a mature and responsible professional.
Q. From where are the course materials drawn?
A. From two sources: my own thirty-five years of clinical experience and a thorough review of the latest psychological studies on the subject.
Q. What qualifications do you hold for writing this workbook?
A. I have a Master’s Degree in counseling, am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York and have over thirty-five years of successful clinical experience.