Difficult people's true feelings are often kept under cover. To deal with them - and to manage effectively - you must be aware of what's going on around you, even when people throw up walls. You don't need to be paranoid. Just stay tuned in to what might be concealed. Watch out for trouble spots such as:
1. People withholding critical information from other groups and from you.
2. Groups of subordinates and peers bonding and spending an unusual amount of time together.
3. People asking why they aren't in the information loop.
4. Differences of opinion occuring between groups with different tenure, expertise, and politics.
5. People watching for others' reactions at meetings.
6. A person talking a lot in private but rarely in meetings, keeping important information hostage.