Optia Reads: "Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)," by Amy Gallo

Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo

If you’re human, you’ve experienced conflict at work. We’ve all had frustrating, sometimes enraging, sometimes really uncomfortable moments of awkwardness or ongoing difficulties with a colleague, team member, boss, or someone we wish we didn’t have to work with but have to anyway. 

Amy Gallo’s book “Getting Along” is a balm for the weary soul who wonders what they can do differently to deal with the problematic folks at work.

Gallo, a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review and co-host of the Women at Work podcast, is an expert in workplace dynamics and brings her wealth of knowledge to bear in this easy-to-read (or listen to!) dive into navigating challenging relationships. 

Gallo presents practical strategies to help you build better relationships and navigate the complexities of human interaction with finesse. She emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with coworkers, as workplace relationships can impact one's overall well-being. She argues that understanding different types of difficult coworkers and effectively responding to them can improve their work relationships and improve the overall atmosphere in the office.

As she takes us through eight archetypes of difficult coworkers, like the “Know-it-All,” “Political Operator,” and “Passive-Aggressive Peer,” to name a few, she shares practical advice on how to manage these relationships and provides insight into what we might be doing to make matters worse.

Gallo uses real-life examples and relatable stories. She brings the concepts to life in an entertaining and engaging way; you’ll find yourself nodding along, thinking, "Oh, I've been in that situation before!" Gallo's anecdotes provide valuable advice and information and remind us that we aren’t alone. You might even recognize yourself in some of the archetypes, which is a gentle way to notice your own problematic behavior and make adjustments. 

Equally important to the advice around each archetype is the section on protecting yourself. Not every relationship can be fixed, and some toxic relationships can be dangerous. Gallo helps readers pay attention to red flags, notes what types of behaviors and reactions rarely work (even if they are satisfying in the moment!), and reminds us that taking care of ourselves is paramount. 

“Getting Along” is a valuable resource if you are curious about how relationships work at work, how you manage difficult situations for yourself, or how you can coach your team through challenging situations. By emphasizing the importance of effective communication, building trust, and working collaboratively, Gallo's book offers a roadmap for improving workplace relationships and achieving greater success in your career.

Click here to purchase your copy of Getting Along.