5 comments about Managing With Power: Politics and Influence in Organizations.

1. Although I am not 100% on board with Pfeffer, he sure did get me thinking about how to recognize behaviors that may be related to power. He also gives excellent (although dated) real-life examples of how leaders used and failed to use politics, and the results of each. If you think politics in organizations stinks, read this book to get a different take. You may just discover some tools that will help you help others.



2. This book is a must-have for any manager's bookshelf. It delves into a topic cited widely in management literature, but seldom covered in depth.
   
   Frameworks for describing and explaining power in business are suggested, with numerous illustrations.
   
   My only disappointments with the book are (a) the lack of empirical generalisations as a basis for the framework (in the HBR style, anecdote counts more than empirical generalision) and (b) the absence of practical advice on what to do with the framework.
   
   Nevertheless, this is still a unique contribution to a very important subject and it is highly recommended.



3. Although much of the research described in this book was conducted some years ago, the conclusions are still very relevant. Pfeffer writes well, & the book is very readable. He also goes beyond the research at times to furnish the reader with suggestions that can be very useful for anyone who is part of an organization of any type. Power is a very real phenomenon, & members of organizations (and who isn't?) need to understand how it works & how to deal with it.



4. Good book that provides insight into how to diagnose and use power in an organization. Good for politics and business.



5. It is probably the gap between expectations and the actual content of the book that made me write this review. The table of content is leaving you salivating - all the right things seems to be here, delivered in scientific-but-entertaining way.
   Unfortunately the content is different. The author remarks in introduction, that he just felt it is time to write something (it is not direct quotation, of course), and you can tell this after a few initial chapters.
   
   Ok, to make a long story short:
   1. There is no single, well thought-out theory of power and leadership behind this book. What you can see instead, is a magpie approach, which turns the book into a hodge-podge of loosely-connected ideas, and many of these directly contradict each other. Also, as a quick look at the bibliography will make clear, many of these ideas were not state-of-the-art even at the date of the publication of Mr. Pfeffer's book.
   2. Another distracting feature is author's propensity to enliven the narrative with anecdotes taken mainly from 3 biography books (on Johnson, Kissinger and Moses). One can not help by wonder if this reflects precious few reading opportunities the author has had lately.
   3. Author uses terms (even the most fundamental - like authority, power, influence, resource) loosely, and frequently either without defining them or doing this sloppily. While seemingly minor, this fault leads to deficiency in his analysis. For example, Mr. Pfeffer fails to distinguish between formal authority and informal power.
   
   Ok, you probably got an idea. But mind you, the book has its virtues. The ideas about power of functions (with heart-gladdening lampooning of Finance) are quite original. Pointing out that good work will bring you little good in career terms is, although by no means original, very refreshing in our time of domination of transformational leadership theories.
   
   So I rated it with 2 stars. Have a glance on it in a library, but do not buy it unless you decide you like it and need it.

5 comments about The 12 Bad Habits That Hold Good People Back: Overcoming the Behavior Patterns That Keep You From Getting Ahead.

1. This book is written by psychologists and is very dry and unengaging. You probably already know it is an old emotional issue behind your troublesome behavior at work. For actual helpful tips, try reading "The Power of Letting Go" by Vredevelt instead. It is right to the point, unlike this old-school freudian book.



2. The book gives a lot of descriptions of bad habits. The value of possibilities to solve or handle the habits is low.



3. this easy to read book makes me realize that i actually fall into one of the 12 classic patterns that time and again hold me back from advancing ahead. Once I'm aware, it's not as hard anymore to break the patterns in order to break through the self-constructed limitations. The title of the book sounds terrible, "bad" habits ought to be revised into "hard-to-break" or "patternized" habits.



4. The book is divided into 2 parts Part I identifies the 12 bad habits that hold people back. Part II identifies the causes of the bad habits
   
   There is something for everyone. Certainly we all have some or many of these bad habits in full or partial degrees. Authors do a nice job in defining the habit and providing examples.
   
   You will find a number of "ah-has" along with sharp piercing observations. For example, for the Meritocrat:
   
   "one of those people who insist that proposals, ideas, products - virtually everything in life - must be considered strictly rationally, on their inherent merit, their absolute, true value. They see the world in black and white - without colors or shades of gray. If the meritocrat ruled the world, all decisions would be put through some sort of merit-weighing machine. Emotions, politics, sentimentality, loyalties, favoritism would play absolutely no part...he or she consistently talks about the ways things "should" be, about the unfairness of life, railing about how the well connected, the meretricious, and the conniving rise to the top, while the honest and the principled fall by the wayside...the meritocrat fails to see that people are complicated, with many shades of gray...sometimes to win the battle you have to negotiate and compromise - promise something to someone to get him or her to join your side - which goes against the code of rationality...the person who thinks this way is acting almost as an anti-Machiavellian, someone who loathes politics and flattery and the compromises of deal making. Most of us, it is true, would rather deal with the meritocrat than his polar opposite, the unprincipled schemer for whom ideals have no value. The schemer is loathsome in his treachery; the meritocrat insufferable only in his self-righteousness.
   
   While there is something for everyone, I found myself skipping many sections of the book that I didn't find applicable or perhaps at the farthest end of an extreme of my bad habit.
   
   While the book does an excellent job in describing and giving examples of bad habits, it falls short on practical ways to change.
   
   The book is dense, thick and slow moving - while examples were used liberally, I found it to read like an academic textbook and found it difficult to stay engaged.
   
   Finally, who says good packaging doesn't work. My eyes locked in on the sharp fire engine red packaging on the shelf and I had to have it.
   
   The 12 bad habits that Hold Good people back are:
   
   Part I:
   1. Never Feeling Good Enough (The "Acrophobe")
   2. Seeing the World in Black and White (The "Meritocrat")
   3. Doing Too Much, Pushing Too Hard (The "Hero")
   4. Avoiding Conflict at Any Cost (The "Peacekeeper")
   5. Running Roughshod Over the Opposition (The "Bulldozer")
   6. Rebel Looking for a Cause (The "Rebel")
   7. Always Swinging for the Fence (The "Home Run Hitter")
   8. When Fear is in the Driver's Seat (The "Pessimist Worrier")
   9. Emotionally Tone-Deaf ("Mr. Spocks")
   10. When No Job is Good Enough ("Coulda-been")
   11. Lacking a Sense of Boundaries ("Loose Lips")
   12. Losing the Path (losing sense of direction or enthusiasm) ("Dig Deeper")
   
   Part II: The Psychological Issues behind the 12 Behavior Patterns:
   1. Taking Others Perspectives (Not being able to take/see other people's perspectives)
   2. Coming to Terms with Authority (Not coming to terms with authority)
   3. Using Power (Inability to use power comfortably, skillfully, effectively)
   4. Looking in the Mirror: Examining Your Self-Image (Having a negatively distorted self image)



5. "The 12 Bad Habits that Hold Good People Back" is a breath of fresh in in a world filled with business self-help books. Most business books will try to tell you exactly what to do in order to succeed, but the problem with that is that no matter what type of situations are described in those books, they never seem to correspond to what is happing in your situation.
   
   This book is different. While there are thousands of ways to succeed, there are a limited number of traits that lead to failure. The authors of this book highlight those failure points, describe how these traits are created, and give some solid steps on how to confront those traits. One thing that you should realize when you buy this book is that the authors don't believe in quick fixes, and those readers who are looking for quick fixes will be disappointed. To overcome each of the 12 bad habits highlighted in this book will take a lot of self-examination, observation of others in your work environment, and assistance from friends or co-workers to help you pinpoint your weak areas. If you're willing to put in the work, then the advice in this book is very helpful.
   
   I really recommend this book to anyone who is looking to advance in their company. Without realizing your weaknesses, you may be stuck at the level you now work at. To get a promotion will take lots of hard work and effort, but with the advice in this book, you'll be able to reach your goals

5 comments about The Toyota Product Development System: Integrating People, Process And Technology.

1. Very interesting topics covered. Strongly recommended for engineers in the automotive industry.



2. This is the third book I've read about Toyota and by far the best one. I'm an engineering manager and found dozens of simple, new ideas in this book. This is a very thorough & practical guide to the inside workings of Toyota's PD system. There are many examples and sufficient details that you can easily understand them and also try to implement them in your own organization.



3. Although this book is very popular today, the authors offer no new approaches to new product development. Companies should strive to leapfrog Toyota. Similarly to Demmings' focus on quality, every aspect of Toyota's NPD process was first developed in the USA, which still ranks as the World's leading innovation source.



4. This book is based on lean product development in the automotive world and has some shortcomings when it comes to applying what Toyota does to other industries. However, with Toyota's success lately their are few arguments against not studying how Toyota approaches product development and applying it to our specific industries. I think the hardest thing for most American companies will be having the long-term discipline to implement what Toyota has done.



5. I bought this book as a part of my classroom text material. It's an interesting book that talks about how Toyota uses its system to achieve lean manufacturing by integrating people, process and technology. This is coupled with the lean design guide book for our text. It is informative.

5 comments about The Art of War for Women: Sun Tzu's Ancient Strategies and Wisdom for Winning at Work.

1. Back about 2,500 years ago, a Chinese man named Mr. Sun went through many hardships and lived in a world full of civil war. Seeking to gain employment with the current leader, he wrote a "military resume". This work outlined his tactics in an obscure manner so that the leader would be intrigued enough to talk to him - and would need to keep Sun around to interpret and put into action the words. That opus was of course The Art of War, and "Mister" in ancient Chinese was written as Tzu.
   
   2,500 years later, it seems that this deliberately complex and vague work has become the guidebook for men and women in all aspects of life. Its advice on how to approach a problem, how to deal with adversity and how to handle the whims of fate are as valid today as they were back then. People are still jealous, deceitful, and harsh. Businesses still undercut each other. Co-workers still back-stab to get ahead. The problems that Sun Tzu wrote about are problems we face today. The answers, in essence, are the same.
   
   Chin-Ning Chu, an accomplished female Chinese business strategist, has taken on this work in a fresh light. Yes, the tactics are great for men facing battles in a male world - but in modern times, women have stepped up to gain their stage. A revolution not seen for thousands of years is taking place, where women are educated, can vote, have full and equal rights alongside men. As they say in the movies, with great power comes great responsibility. For perhaps the first time in history, it is no longer enough to blame the glass ceiling, the upbringing, the pressures of the world for our success or failure. We have - more than perhaps any generation which came before us - the ability to take the reins in our hands and give it our very best shot.
   
   That's the straight-from-the-hip advice provided by the book. With numerous examples, we hear how women claimed they were helpless and unfairly turned down for promotions and advancement, when investigation found that these women actually sabotaged their own chances. Life isn't always fair, but in order to succeed in whatever arena you choose - family life, charity work, the boardroom - you have to do your very best to shine. Success won't be handed to you just because you think you deserve it. You need to be your own most vocal advocate - and to do that promotion in a way most in line with the atmosphere you are in.
   
   The book is realistic. If you've got a nasty co-worker that is always undermining you, various techniques will be offered to help you overcome the situation. However, in the end, it may be best to find another job. You might claim that the job is perfect for you - but a job is a complex combination of many factors, which includes the people you work with. Another job will be *more* perfect because its combination is more in line with your path for yourself.
   
   You also get a message echoed in many other current releases, which is to make sure the path you're on is one you really *want* to be on, deep down. People strive to be top in business because it's expected of them, not necessarily because it will make them personally happy. If you'd rather be home with the kids, running a small business from your home office, then find a way to make that work. It is critical that your daily life reflects your dreams and goals if you want to be truly happy, for your family and friends around you to share in that joy, and to find a real measure of success.
   
   I found a few of the sections to be a bit extreme. One area talks about sexual harassment and says that women get offended by a pat on the shoulder. Perhaps some women do - but I don't! I find encouraging physical contact like that to be an important part of our society. It's very sad if we've gotten to the point that patting someone on the shoulder as a congratulation is grounds for legal action.
   
   In general, though, I found a lot of helpful advice in here. At its very core, the entire book is a reminder that nothing is new under the sun. Issues that we find pressing in our current modern world were just as important 2,500 years ago. People are simply the way they are. By reading through the wisdom of the ages, we can help make our own world one which are are proud to live in, and our path one we are happy to follow.



2. 
   I enjoyed reading this book. It didn't set my world on fire, but it was fairly well written and easy to follow. I don't like being told too much what I'm going to be told later. The author did a little more of this than I usually put up with. I would have liked the book better if it had just said what it wanted to say.
   
   It contained 13 chapters as follows:
   
   1. Planning: The Elements of Strategy
   2. Doing Battle: Speedy Victory
   3. Strategy: Know Thyself & Others
   4. Disposition: Win First, Then Fight
   5. Momentum: Use Timing to Generate Momentum
   6. Real & Unreal: Illusion is the Other Side of Reality
   7. Conflict: Don't Show Your Hand
   8. Imagination: See Things No One Has Seen
   9. Managing the Troops: The Principles of Management
   10. Terrain: Move According to Your Environment
   11. Nine Battlegrounds: Be More Competitive by Doing Less
   12. Attack by Fire: Fireproofing Yourself
   13. Espionage
   
   If you have goals and dreams, then you may find this book helpful when trying to put together a strategy for trying to reach them. It will remind you that you have strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in your life. And a little strategic planning can help you solve your problems in an efficient manner.
   
   My favorite chapter was #1. The six elements discussed there were:
   
   >> Righteousness: How to make winning decisions.
   >> Timing: From universal to personal timing.
   >> Resources: Turn your liabilities into assets.
   >>Leadership: A state of mind.
   >>Managing: It's all about execution.
   >> Deception: Appear weak when you are strong.
   
   The book is just as applicable to men as it is to women. But the author's target audience is women. Everything in the book is written as though the author is speaking to a woman. 4 stars!



3. As a women in the midst of working towards changing careers and moving up in the work place, I found this book very useful. This book has made me think about how I present myself at work, what I really want to do with my life, and what I need to do to get there. This book is not at all about feel-good, mushy things, it has us look at our strengths and weaknesses and strategize to succeed. I would recommend this to any women that is career-orientated. In fact, I will be getting this for several friends for Christmas.



4. Once I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. It helped me with some situations that I currently go through at work. I have a better understanding of how to handle a few things.



5. I bought this book for my sister, a teacher, looking for a job and a friend, who recently went back to school to earn her masters. Both people loved the book, said it was easy to read and apply to all aspects of life!

5 comments about Rich Dad's Advisors: OPM: How to Attract Other People's Money for Your Investments--The Ultimate Leverage.

1. Michael Lechter's book "OPM" Other People's Money is one of the finest books written for creating financial leverage. The information teaches anyone how they can take an idea and truly turn it into a significant financial gain without risking their own capital.
   
   You do not need money to become successful. You need a worthwhile idea and other people's money and or resources to bring that idea to fruition. Don't shelve your dreams due to lack of cash flow. One idea in this book provided me with over $30,000 in other people's resources and I did not give away equity to do so.
   
   After you read this book then lack of cash flow is no longer a reason not to transform your ideas into reality. Apply the knowledge in this book and you have more than a short-lived chance of success. We have all heard the saying that knowledge is power. Once you have learned the information contained within this book you will have the power, you just have to apply it.
   
   The material is straight forward. This is a must read for anyone that considers themselves a true entrepreneur. I learned more about cash flow and understanding how to attract other people's money and resources in this book than I did in six years of college.
   
   If I had this information prior to starting my entrepreneurial life I am sure I would be 50 times wealthier today.
   
   Thank you Michael, You Rock!



2. One of the concepts the Rich Dad series has taught me, and you see this throughout the free enterprise system, is that "he who creates the investment gets most of the gold".
   Bill Gates. Warren Buffett. The real estate developer next door turning five acres into a small strip mall, or an apartment complex.
   
   This book shows how it's done. From concept, to trademarking and patenting, to incorporating, to raising the funds, everything short of filing the IPO is included, albeit briefly. But that's OK, you'll need your own attorneys and professionals to customize these parts for your application, anyway. Just don't cut any corners.
   
   Michael gives you examples throughout the book as to how the process should work... and a few examples of what happens when you cut corners. (it can get ugly at this level, gang!)



3. I am mainly interested in real estate investment, so this book did not have a whole lot for me. It would be really great if you are looking for capital to begin a business. I just wanted money to buy houses with!!



4. If you really want to be a Real estate investor,then this is the book to purchase.The book is an investment in itself.



5. A true entrepreneur knows how to leverage other people's ideas and other people's money to create more wealth for everyone around them. Michael Lechter has outlined several ways to bring other people to the table to combine their investments with yours.
   
   It's not the easiest read on the shelf. But, the content is great and the information is on the money.

5 comments about Path, The: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life.

1. This is a great book for gaining clarity about your life mission. The author understands why having a consistent context is a powerful element to bring to all that you do. I enjoy her succinct exercises and have used them with clients in the past.



2. This book is a wonderful tool for those hoping to have a life vision. If you don't have a vision for your life--read this book!



3. Recently, I purchased my 4th copy of The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life to give away and constantly recommend it to friends. Through a process of choosing verbs, Laurie Beth Jones simplifies the process of clarifying and fine tuning a mission statement that applies not only work but one's entire life. A small group can use the same method to find an shared mission statement for their work together. Jones concludes with a study of the life of Nehemiah and relates it to the concept of being guided by a mission throughout one's lifetime.



4. As a business and relationship coach, I used to be discouraged at how few people have created and are living their mission. However, after closer study of corporate mission statements and how many of them are little more than convoluted ramblings totally inappropriate for their application, it became clear to me that people don't develop their personal mission statements simply because they lack understanding of just how powerful knowing your mission can be.
   
   Working mostly with small businesses, many of them do not even have mission statements. Of those that do, it never surprises me that none of their employees can recite them. Is it any wonder that these same employees lack having developed their own personal or marital missions?
   
   One of the things I hear most often in marriage coaching is how much of a difference in the marriage since the creation and implementation of their own marriage mission. Many couples have told me through the years that having them create their mission statement was the most valuable part of the pre-marriage coaching and has served to keep their marriage focused.
   
   THE PATH by Laurie Beth Jones is such an enjoyable read. It is geared more toward creating ones personal mission, but can easily be adopted for corporate use as well. Laurie Beth uses the One with the ultimate mission statement, Jesus Christ, in various examples, as well as other familiar references from God's Word. Reading this book has been a great pleasure.



5. Item was ordered Sept 30. E-mail requesting status is still unanswered and the book has not arrived as of Nov 3.

5 comments about The One-Life Solution: Reclaim Your Personal Life While Achieving Greater Professional Success.

1. The author does a good job of defining the grey area
   of boundaries. Dividing lines are needed to live a
   good life- one undisturbed by constant interruptions.
   
   A boundary provides structure so that work and other
   issues do not invade our spare time without escape.
   People need to gain control in order to relax, plan
   and catch up with an ever growing schedule.
   
   The author asks the question " Which areas of your life
   do you control? " . If work or play takes up 100% of the
   time, then realistic boundaries aren't being set.
   These problems are encountered by young people. For
   instance, friends may occupy an inordinate amount of
   time leaving no opportunity to complete studies or
   household duties. Resultingly, people need to develop
   and implement rules to ensure that important
   activities are scheduled/completed in every event.
   
   At some point, people need to be assertive when their
   valuable space or time is being taken up without
   a compelling rationale. The volume is excellent for
   any individual who seeks to plan to enjoy a more
   wholesome and pro-active lifestyle.



2. In an age when self-help, self-improvement books line shelves and racks of every bookstore, it's difficult to find a book that stands out. This one does. Author Henry Cloud offers a perspective that applies to many situations I have observed, many I have been a party to.
   
   How often have you watched interactions slide into disaster because someone, a boss, a spouse, a sibling, failed to define limits and then stick to those limits? How often have people crossed your personal limits without knowing they were? Could the disaster have been eliminated before it destroyed a relationship? Can you actually improve your life by clearly setting limits in your relationships? Those are the sticky wickets Dr. Henry Cloud tackles in "The One-Life Solution."
   
   For me, the whole book was a thought-provoking review - of people and situations I have observed, of situations in my own life I could have prevented or handled more effectively. I thought of friends who won't set limits for their children - and what a disagreeable experience it is to be around those children. I thought of times I allowed people to go beyond my personal boundaries because I was trying too hard to please. I thought of the times when work was routinely a 24-hour-a-day ordeal, and how I could have managed the demands placed on me more effectively. I decided what I would do in the future to avoid or mitigate such situations.
   
   Author Cloud will show you how to set limits effectively and actually improve situations that may now be causing you significant discomfort. He focuses primarily on work relationships, but the problems and solutions he presents fit many human interactions.
   
   You'll find this book especially helpful if you're hiring friends or relatives, so don't miss the tips found in the Appendix. They're pure gold.
   
   I highly recommend this book - for bosses, employees, spouses, lovers, friends, and parents, that is for everyone. If we take his advice, openly declare our boundaries, listen and observe the boundaries of others, our relationships will improve - for everyone involved.



3. Dr. Cloud has an amazing ability to articulate extraordinary complex psychological principals in a manner that any person can comprehend. This book gives the reader a blueprint of what is possible should he/she choose to take ownership of their life. The section that I love the most was "Follow the Misery and Make a Rule." Dr. Cloud does an excellent job in describing how despite all of the modern "advances" that technology has brought us (i.e., email, pda's, blackberry, cell phones, etc.) we, as a society, have become more "disconnected" from our loved ones due to the increasing demands placed upon us. The importance of creating structure and deciding where, when and with whom we will spend our energy and time is clearly evident as these can be a source of energy or a major distraction to accomplishing our goals. As I finished reading this book I felt a sense of empowerment, hope, excitement, and sheer joy for I read on it's pages exactly the tools which I have needed to assist me in completing the tedious process of completing my doctoral dissertation. I have already begun implementing the tools that I have learned from this book and they have made an amazing difference! This book can help anyone learn how to have balance in their work, home and family life. Dr. Cloud has done a stellar job and I recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow or who is in the growth process. Thank you Dr. Cloud! CD, MS



4. Henry Cloud once again gives a fine exposition on how to live your life without inherent conflicts.



5. As an owner of my own design business I cannot express, both the business and personal benefits of this book. It will make you more profitable, more fufilled, less stressed and all around ahead of where you were before....
   
   Dr. Cloud has an impeccable ability to communicate to the reader in a straight forward, no bull kind of manner .... perfect for the multi-tasker, busy professional.
   
   A must read!
   
   Interior Design Professional

5 comments about Winners Never Cheat: Everyday Values We Learned as Children (But May Have Forgotten).

1. Perhaps the best statement about this excellent book is a quote from my brother, Bruce Douglas, himself a very successful and ethical businessman, "Great thoughts which deserve continuous review."
   Mr. Huntsman challenges us all to live out high moral standards, simply because it is the right thing to do and it works. He uses specific examples from his own life to explain the concepts. The book is great read and a challenge to business people and to others.



2. I gave this book to a dear friend for his birthday. He liked it so much that he had to finish it the first day. We need more managers like Jon Huntsman.



3. This book brings joy to the heart and will leave you with many philosophical expressions that you can modify and use in your own story of success. One can almost build a proto-type of what successful people look like. If you like to be motivated by a heart-felt writing like this, buy (or borrow) the book. I like to think I am self motivated but this book is stimulating in every respect. It is a quick and enjoyable read. Once I started reading it, all other reading went on hold and I couldn't put it down (unless the grand children required attention). Treat yourself and turn the world on fire with all you can accomplish.



4. 
   Every person that is in a position of leadership should read this book. It is a great guide, to show people how to treat other people. I work in at a place where there are different levels of management, I wish all would read this book..



5. I read this book concerning "integrity" and agree with content, values expressed, however I do not agree that "company" owned by Huntsman adheres to any values... at least not recently. My advise is "walk the walk" before telling the tale.
   Carol Weyle
   Colorado Mom

5 comments about The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't.

1. I read this book again recently because it's worth learning from. The accounts here are not a "how to", but a "why not?" Why not shift the dynamic so that it no longer favors butt heads? I keep it on my desk and recommend it to anyone having difficult interpersonal relationships. More import, I used it with stunning success in a prison setting to help an inmate defuse an imminently violent situation by shifting the conflict dynamic and getting other inmates to join him. The would-be perpetrator backed off and was forced to find a different way to relate this inmate in the violent and hyper-masculine setting that is prison.
   
   I'd recommend The No "Butt Head" Rule for use in any kind of confrontation training and behavior management education program you can think of. It's a powerful and empowering tool for anyone who'll take the time to explore it.



2. Sutton gets right to the heart of what it means to turn the tables so the rest of us can work in ***hole-free zones. Part of the problem in dealing with butt heads is really and truly naming them butt heads and not making excuses for there behavior. Or worse yet, finding fault with ourselves for letting them get under our skin. Well, no more snickering uncomfortably because we don't know what else to do. This should be required reading in business school, conflict resolution training and in behavior management courses. Take the time to plumb the profiles in the book and find yourself rewarded.



3. It is inevitable that we all have to deal with jerks at the workplace or on your team. Sutton does an excellent job of pointing out the consequences of having these individuals in your organization. He also gives you the tools to handle these jerks.
   
   As a team manager, I needed to recognize the ripple effect and toxic implications that one of these egomaniacs was having upon my team. I had been tempted to keep this person on the team because they were a "rock star" and considered one of the most productive people in their field
   
   Through Sutton's book I recognized the toll that this individual was having upon the rest of the team members. My team is now less one "rock star" and performing better than ever. Thank you Dr. Sutton.



4. Sutton (the author of this book) is a management science and engineering professor from Stanford. He suggests (correctly, in my opinion) that we can all be difficult sometimes and that being difficult can, in certain scenarios, actually contribute to our effectiveness as managers. But that's the rare exception because (as he counteracts this argument) the reality is there are plenty of certifiable you know whats who are difficult to fire because they are often in positions of authority and are mistakenly deemed talented and effective by their superiors. It's a fun and readable book, that shows you how to deal with these folks and manage in a work environment that's filled with 'em. I think anyone with people issues at work will benefit from using it to inspire some fresh thinking.
   
   The other gem I recommend strongly because I've found it extremely helpful in these situations (for dealing with difficult people and keeping myself in check in the process) is The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book



5. This book has basic people-management practices and offers fundimantal supervisory tips that every manager should have.

5 comments about Secrets to Winning at Office Politics: How to Achieve Your Goals and Increase Your Influence at Work.

1. I read this book before staring my new job. I feel more prepared than ever for what I need to do to be successful. This book was so thorough and content-rich, I put tabs in it and carry it with me to work . . . just in case I need to reference something or need a "refresher course". I recommend this book for seasoned professionals as well as those just entering the workforce!



2. Reading this book is like reading the manual for just about any corporation with more than 20 people. It doesn't matter where you go, you will run into a lot of what you will find in this book. It certainly doesn't hurt to be prepared.



3. The book is very descriptive of what to do to get ahead in any organization. I really enjoying it



4. This book has changed my work life for the better. I feel more comfortable at work now because I have more realistic expectations and I feel prepared for difficult 'office politics' situations. The book is interesting and offers real-life situations that I can relate to.
   
   Pretty much everyone has to contend with Office Politics in their job at some point or other. It often doesnt matter who is wrong and who is right in offices, but how a situation is handled. Can you think of a time when you know you should have handled a situation differently, but are unsure what you should have done? Can you think of a time when you lost leverage because of your own actions? Be honest. We all have shot ourselves in the foot. Why stay ignorant? Come into the light!
   
   I love this book. My sister cant wait to read it after I'm done.



5. On the recommendation of a collegue, I purchased this book because I was interested to know whether guidance existed as to how to 'play the game' that is workplace politics. So far, I haven't been disappointed!
   
   As you work your way through this book you find that you are able to relate the examples presented in the text to the experiences your have had throughout your working life and a lot of things suddenly become clear. Understanding what real power is in the work place, how it can be gained and lost and more importantly - how it can be utilised, will change my behaviour around the office in so many ways. It's funny, I now see 'political suicide' by my peers which basically mirror the examples portrayed within this book and I often can't help but chuckle. =)
   
   It has been an enlightening experience reading through this book, and it has been a real pleasure given it is written in a way that is easy to read and keeps you engaged (unlike a few other texts I have read lately which seem to be about authors trying their best to use as many obscure and uncommon words as possible to show how clever they are).
   
   In summary, I firmly believe this book has changed they way I will approach my working life (and in some respects even my personal life) so that I can maximise my chances of achieving my goals and being successful. Give it a go - I'm sure it will do the same for you!