# Working with Difficult People | How to Increase Understanding with Brittney Maxfield

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crucial-skills-management-accountability-7795858/working-with-difficult-people-how-to-increase-understanding-with-brittney-maxfield
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crucial-skills-management-accountability-7795858/working-with-difficult-people-how-to-increase-understanding-with-brittney-maxfield.md
Podcast: [Crucial Skills | Management & Accountability](https://stenobird.com/podcast/crucial-skills-management-accountability-7795858)
Published: 2026-05-26T10:00:03+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/working-with-difficult-people-how-to-increase-understanding-with-brittney-maxfield--72160511
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72160511/05142026_v1_cl_05_26_26.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crucial-skills-management-accountability-7795858/episodes/working-with-difficult-people-how-to-increase-understanding-with-brittney-maxfield
Duration seconds: 459

## Resource

We've all had that person at work whose style rubs you the wrong way. It's easy to write them off as difficult. But what if the story you're telling yourself about them isn't the full picture? Brittney Maxfield introduces a powerful framework called the Strength Deployment Inventory® (SDI ®) that reframes the way we see frustrating behavior at work. The SDI shapes these behaviors not as character flaws, but as overdone strengths. It helps us to see that most people genuinely have a good motive, even if it doesn’t come across that way. Brittney walks through the three core motives that drive people at work and explains how our own motives distort how we perceive others. She offers a four-step framework for having a productive conversation with even your most challenging colleague. Whether you've been avoiding a hard conversation or dreading your next one-on-one, this episode gives you a framework to walk in with clarity, empathy, and a real plan. Chapters [Start] The Hardest Part About Working With People: Brittney opens with a relatable question about difficult work relationships. 01:14 The SDI Framework: An overview of the Strength Deployment Inventory and its three core motives. 03:53 Four Steps for Difficult Conversations: A practical breakdown of four easy steps to navigate a difficult conversation. 06:49 Tying It All Together: Brittney ties the framework together and reinforces that these skills make Crucial Conversations more possible. Links and Resources Crucial Learning Crucial Learning - Working with Difficult People: How to Increase Understanding Strength Deployment Inventory Free Trial Learn more about Brittney Maxfield here. The Crucial Skills Podcast is brought to you by the authors and experts at Crucial Learning , home of Crucial Conversations for Master…

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## Transcript

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