Powering through Pressure

Chapter Five

Addressing relationships that aren’t working

Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows.

BEN STEIN

In my research and throughout my client work, the greatest source of pressure on many occasions has come from the difficulties and anxiety that we associate with managing certain ‘difficult’ relationships. All of us have experienced aggressive bosses or senior managers, a raft of over demanding or uncooperative colleagues, and staff who constantly drain our energy. If a pressurised encounter with these people happens on a regular basis, we soon choose the ‘easy’ options, give in, give way, give up or leave. If we can improve some of these relationships ...