I have never written a review on Amazon, but feel strongly about writing a review for Sutton's No %¤#&!§-book because I feel many people whose might be concerned about the "taboo" title might not look beyond it and do themselves a great disservice.
As a female professional, I felt highly empowered reading this book. Dr. Sutton acknowledges the bullying and crass behavior that frequently occurs in the workplace and offers concrete ways to combat these trying individuals. I have already practiced his technique of publicly discounting bullying behavior with great success.
I found his suggestions for handling office place bullies - as both a superior and subordinate actions extremely smart and well-grounded. This book is based on sound social psychology and organizational research and does a great service to workers throughout the world.
I have dog earred many pages of the book and expect it to be a handy reference for many years to come.
106 of 112 people found the following review helpful:
A Simple, but Extremely Valuable Premise!, February 12, 2007
I'll make my review brief, since this is a little book with a very concise point. Basically, life is far too short to tolerate jerks in the workplace. It's easy to spot these people based upon the havoc they wreak and the fact that they always choose targets with less power than themselves. This book provides terrific strategies for dealing with jerks, whether you are in management and want to weed them out, or are unfortunate enough to be working under them.
One of my favorite lines in the book is: " Passion is an overrated virtue in organizational life, and indifference is an underrated virtue." While self-professed management gurus who have never had a real job like to trumpet passion in the workplace (and implicitly accept jerk-like behavior), Dr. Sutton points out that sometimes a bit of detachment goes a long way in making life bearable. This is a book about picking your battles and doing what you can to make your workplace enjoyable. It is a quick, interesting and easy read.
49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
An Excellent Must-Read for Anyone in the Workforce, February 7, 2007
I am not one who typically reviews books. I do have to say that the No %¤#&!§-Rule was an excellent book both in researched content and personality. I was able to read this book in one sitting. It is very topical for anyone who shares a workplace with %¤#&!§-s or demeaning people. I am sure that most of us do not have the luxury of avoiding these people on a day to day basis. If so, let me know where you work.
For the most part, it is inevitable that we have to deal with these people face to face. This is the first book that doesn't skirt around the facts of diagnosing these people as %¤#&!§-s (by there actions) and giving effective advice on how to deal with them or not be one of them.
Bob Sutton's List of The Dirty Dozen Common Everyday Actions That %¤#&!§-s Use
1. Personal insults
2. Invading one's personal territory
3. Uninvited personal contact
4. Threats and intimidation, both verbal and non-verbal
5. Sarcastic jokes and teasing used as insult delivery systems
6. Withering email flames
7. Status slaps intended to humiliate their victims
8. Public shaming or status degradation rituals
9. Rude interruptions
10. Two-faced attacks
11. Dirty looks
12. Treating people as if they are invisible
The Author sites companies that have effectively instilled a "No %¤#&!§-Rule" because they have realized that the true cost of the %¤#&!§-runs deeper than the %¤#&!§-'s salary (TCA or Total Cost of %¤#&!§-s). It truly can diminish productivity in the office, increase employee turnover, stifle communication, and lower employee self esteem and health. The book explains how to implement a No %¤#&!§-Rule at any organization.
According to the book, negative interactions have a five time stronger effect on mood than positive interactions. So you can see that keeping around that "very productive %¤#&!§-" may have deeper implications that do not show up on the books, but take a toll on the ones around him/her. There is a whole section in the book detailing how to avoid being an %¤#&!§-which I won't get into here. I think that it is a truly insightful section on how to face ones own demons, and to be a more effective co-worker/partner/boss in a work environment.
The section that really jumped out for me (due to its immediate applicability) was the ways to deal with %¤#&!§-s. Many books talk about enthusiasm and working harder with passion allows you to get around people who are demeaning and rude at work. This book explains that this is not necessarily the head on solution to avoid rudeness in the workplace. In some instances, developing indifference and emotional detachment may be the best way to survive in the long run while achieving small victories. In the end, small victories can lead to winning the war. You can also limit your exposure, hope for the best and expect the worse, de-escalate and re-educate, or stand up to %¤#&!§-s.
In conclusion, this was a great read. I think it is extremely topical for anyone who is involved in HR or hiring new employees and management. I also believe that it is an especially good read if you are a victim of %¤#&!§-s on a day to day basis.
Oh, it also makes a GREAT GIFT for the token %¤#&!§-in your office. Enjoy!
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