What happens if you step back?
Most high achievers are trained to lean in; they have learned to push harder when something gets difficult. This can be effective with many kinds of individual work where it’s you against the work.
But that tactic does not work as well with other people, because action creates reaction. When you push other people, they often push back; they get defensive, they dig in their heels, they refuse to change. People want to feel they are in charge.
If you’re in a situation with somebody “difficult”, experiment with stepping back to let them take the lead. You might find that they do exactly what you were hoping for, and with greater enthusiasm because it was their choice.
As an aside, while this advice came out of a coaching session with an executive, it also applies to me parenting my kids.