Beyond Difficult

‘Finally – a book about difficult people that doesn’t make you want to throw it at one. It’s comprehensive, refreshingly practical and easy to digest – exactly what every leader needs when navigating tough personalities.’

‘Engaging, practical and so relatable. A guide for everyone to keep in their back pockets to help navigate life’s tricky relationships.’

‘A remarkable combination of deep and accurate reliance on research and clinical literatures along with exceptionally clear writing and engaging use of self-help tips and examples … The world would be a much happier and healthier place if everyone read this book.’

‘For anyone who at times navigates difficult relationships (that is, all of us!), this work offers not only reassurance but also actionable guidance for cultivating lasting, meaningful bonds … It is more than a book – it is a roadmap to deeper connection and greater emotional wellbeing.’

‘Beyond Difficult is a rare gem that transforms the way you see difficult relationships … Rather than offering simplistic solutions, this book invites us into a deeper understanding of human complexity, teaching us to recognise attachment patterns, temperament differences and neurodiversity with genuine curiosity instead of judgement. This book is a powerful reminder that behind every challenging behaviour is a human being with their own attachment story waiting to be understood.’

‘A powerful book that will help you understand yourself and the people you love more deeply … I will be sure to share this wonderful book with my family and friends.’

‘I can think of no person in my life who would not benefit from accessing what is offered here. The ripple effect cannot be overstated. This book provides a blueprint for how to improve and even heal troubled relationships, offering an essential gift to an increasingly troubled world.’

‘I have no difficulty in warmly recommending this sparkling book by Rachel Samson and Jessie Stern, two gifted psychologists with a deep knowledge of attachment and temperament, nature and nurture, and how they interact in creating the persons we are … Samson and Stern draw on first-rate empirical evidence to advocate active listening and reflective practices that are highly likely to be helpful to all who engage with this timely and worthwhile book.’

‘Relational skills are fundamental to our success as a species, but as societies have industrialised and people have become more atomised and isolated, we seem to have become less attuned to each other. This book will give you all the fundamentals you need to establish better boundaries and have true compassion for difficult people – including yourself.’