Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't, Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D.

Date:   9/3/2007 3:24:38 PM ( 17 y ago)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This meticulously researched book, which grew from a much buzzed-about article in the Harvard Business Review, puts into plain language an undeniable fact: the modern workplace is beset with %¤#&!§-s. Sutton (Weird Ideas that Work), a professor of management science at Stanford University, argues that %¤#&!§-s—those who deliberately make co-workers feel bad about themselves and who focus their aggression on the less powerful—poison the work environment, decrease productivity, induce qualified employees to quit and therefore are detrimental to businesses, regardless of their individual effectiveness. He also makes the solution plain: they have to go. Direct and punchy, Sutton uses accessible language and a bevy of examples to make his case, providing tests to determine if you are an %¤#&!§-(and if so, advice for how to self-correct), a how-to guide to surviving environments where %¤#&!§-s freely roam and a carefully calibrated measure, the "Total Cost of %¤#&!§-s," by which corporations can assess the damage. Although occasionally campy and glib, Sutton's work is sure to generate discussions at watercoolers around the country and deserves influence in corporate hiring and firing strategies.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile

Did the HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW really print an article that used the word " %¤#&!§-" eight times? Apparently so, and from it evolved this audiobook, a handy guide to the domineering bullies found in the workplace, on the sports field, and in government. Turns out that these "kiss up, kick down" individuals don't just ruin our day, they also cost business and government a great deal of time and money. Is there hope? Sutton seems to think so and offers systems, case studies, and ideas for weeding out these unpleasant individuals. The author reads this abridgment in a friendly, informative style, making it one of the stronger business titles this season. R.W.S. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

187 of 200 people found the following review helpful: A New Best Book on Empowerment in the Workplace , February 22, 2007 By  E. Gerber - See all my reviews     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 By  D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews         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 By  S. Johnson (California, United States) - See all my reviews     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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