4 comments about Ethical Conflicts in Psychology.

1. i bought this book for a graduate school class in ethics for psychologists and found it to be extremely thought-provoking and informative. the ethical guidelines are discussed in an easy-to-understand format, and numerous case examples are provided that really make you think about where you stand on various issues facing mental health practitioners. highly recommended reading--excellent for someone just starting in the field and a great refresher for those who have been practicing for awhile.



2. i attended a forensic psychology ethics workshop conducted by dr. bersoff, which propelled me to reading his book that had gathered dust on my shelf this past year. the book was edited by bersoff, a former board member and legal counsel of the APA. chapter authors read like a who's who in the field. the content is well-organized. the book is quite readable. they re-print and discuss the APA ethics code, guidelines, ethical issues and laws fairly extensively. i'd love to see applied research on ethical decision making. outstanding resource



3. I'm not a big fan of this book as I have read other texts that are more concise than this one. Parts of the text has useful information but I would not highly suggest this text if it is not required for a course.



4. If you want current, up to date information regardin the American Psychological Association and its Ethics Codes, this is it.

5 comments about How to Be Useful: A Beginner's Guide to Not Hating Work.

1. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to make a Downtown Women's Club event at Barnes & Noble to hear Megan Hustad speak on her new book, How To Be Useful. Hustad is a soft-spoken veteran of the book publishing world, and extremely nimble with her words. Despite the interference of the cafe machinery, Hustad read a few excerpts and explained the process of writing a retrospective of 100 years of Success Literature.
   
   Now that I've finished this book (and already re-read a few sections), I place this at the very top of my list of recommended Success books. I have a certain amount of envy that Hustad thought of the project first, but really she does a fantastic job in surveying a long list of advice books and distilling the essence of each down to its most useful principles. Through interviews with contemporary colleagues and research on her fellow Success authors, she deftly equips the reader with a range of situations for practical application of the proffered career advancement methods.
   
   Hustad's writing is at once intelligent, and easily digested. She adds a certain amount of fine dry wit to her work, as well as an icing of footnotes to flush out certain points. Any book she has gone over is helpfully included in the bibliography, for further reading, although this might be extraneous.
   
   My personal favorite chapters are "2 - Dodging the Great Failure Army" and "8 - Self-Deprecation." In Chapter 2, we are introduced to Orison Swett Marden's ideas on being relentlessly cheerful and kind to everyone, from the CEO to the concierge. The idea is not new (Marden wrote in the early part of the 20th century), but the various applications of how to apply this optimism to career development is wonderfully explained. Marden's idea of the "Law of Attraction," the idea that people are drawn to the positive, is similar to the heart of "The Secret," but must less mystical. By applying pleasantries to our office mates, carefully and not gratuitously, one cultivates an air of camaraderie, and leaves the door open for others to follow suit. Chapter 2 is full of examples of how to deploy this cheerful method, as well as misguided attempts to avoid.
   
   Chapter 8 covers the art of self-deprecation, which I think should be mandatory reading for new people in the office, particularly those guilty of over-sharing. Hustad here examines the rags-to-riches story, and how overcoming obstacles endears oneself to those around one, but conversely, stories about common problems can pile up and backfire on the teller. It's one thing to talk about overcoming a poor financial situation by winning a full scholarship to college, but another thing entirely to tell about one's embarrassing behavior while drunk last night on the way home from happy hour. As I was reading this chapter, I could feel myself cringe as I remembered telling self-deprecating stories that probably did more to decrease public opinion of myself rather that create a sense of "we've all been there" endearment.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to career services offices, high school guidance offices, and any other place that prepares new graduates for the workforce. I'd add that this would make an excellent read for anyone who struggles with social interactions or anxieties, because of its easy to follow pedagogy on interpersonal communications. Even though it is written with career success in mind, the advice is extraordinarily useful in many situations from networking events to parties.



2. I couldn't find much practical advice in this book. Megan actually suggests people show up late to work and meetings. How is that good advice for anyone let alone a fresh college grad? Megan mentions researching hundreds of books on the subject but the majority of her suggestions come short of really addressing anything at all. It appears as if she lost interest in the middle of her research but published the book anyway.
   
   Megan painfully dances around subjects while dispersing very little practical advice. Her writing is laced with vocabulary that would be hard to grasp for a typical entrant to the job market (unless perhaps they work in the publishing business like her).
   
   It could be that Silicon Valley culture is different(which is where I work and reside) from New York publishing scene but this book was a colossal waste of time for me, which is ironic given the book's title.



3. I gave this to a friend who's at a miserable office job. He's way too smart for it, but he took a few semesters off from college and hasn't finished up yet (so it's the best he can get right now).
   
   I haven't personally read it, so I can't get too specific, however, he seemed to really enjoy it. He found her writing very entertaining, as well as informative. It's not a condescending, self-help type of book. It's a playful, but still helpful, look at how to handle the politics of work.



4. I found this book throughly enjoying and was pleased that it wasn't a typical self-help career book. The author examines self-help books through the last hundred years and reveals some common threads. She also gives some details of the personal lives of the writers of these books ( like Dale Carnegie and Emily Post) which really make you sit back and think about considering the giver of advice before leaping into some detailed plan for success.
   She doesn't really give any ground breaking tactics for surviving the workplace. I think any self help book would tell you to dress nice as item 1. However she actually gives the reasons why such practices are in place and why you should play along. Rather than just stating that you should do x, she says you should do x because of y which is refreshing.
   The style is crisp and to the point and I can tell the author is smart and spent a lot of time researching, thinking and writing this book which is reason enough to buy it.



5. I took this book out at the library after looking at it a few times. As another reviewer put it, the title and the unique cover was interesting to me. I am 32 and just starting my career - I wish I had read this book 7 years ago, as a struggling graduate student interning in the workplace. Really useful, cleverly written, and great gift for any graduating senior or wet-behind-the-ears rookie.

4 comments about Reducing Stress (DK Essential Managers).

1. Some of these manager books are not just for managers. They could be read and enjoyed by all employees. Of all the books I have read, this one seems to be the most wide ranging and could help everyone in your office.
   
   Let's admit it. Work and life in general can be stressful. How we cope with stress can be a key to our success. This book will show you how to reorganize your work practices. It also explains how thinking positively can reduce stress.
   
   "Make sure your home office is separate from your living space." -pg 25
   
   Well, I fail that one.
   
   "Start each day stress-free by straightening up the night before." -pg. 40
   
   This works!
   
   Learning to say no is something I really have to work on. Some people do find it difficult to say no because they are afraid of causing offense. Sometimes you just have to be assertive, after all, it is your life!
   
   There is a section on making a time to relax. there are exercises and relaxation techniques you can use and this makes the book very practical. Deep breaths, deep breaths....there, see you feel so much better now. If anything helps, breathing will!
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. How Stressed Are You? This is the first question arising in today's Tech times. World Health Organization has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the greatest burden of ill health in the developing world and will be the second largest cause of death and disability!!!! One wonders but sure this book has a great indepth dose of Reducing Stress pills of info with analysis Quiz on Page 16 that actually lets one recognize existence of stress and later reducing it. In Analyzing the causes of Stress, society, the working world and daily life have changed almost beyond recognition in the past 50 years and these changes have contributed to a major increase in stress, says the author. Many factors add fuel to blown minds as we deal coping with daily life. The book has cool tips on Getting Organized in life itself, manage time,check the attitudinal traits, taking out time to relax, understanding personality types, building better relationships and check Health. Emotional despair is a major health disorder and so, before it's late, check those Stress flaws and learn to use mind power through Tim Hindle's book on 'Reducing Stress' - a Good Pick.



3. As the other reviewer said this book is for everyone and as the writer himself says this book wont make your stress disappear from your life it can only help you minimize it. And when I bought this book it sure did minimize my work-related stress that affected everything in my life but it still remained there.
   The more I minimized it the more it grew. I never were more confused until I re-read the book only to find the line I thought I've read and there it was saying "Stress is infectious".
   Soon after, I said bad-bye to the job of my dreams which shocked
   the world around me when they knew how madly in love I was with that workplace. Then as I have felt it in the beginning it turned
   up to be that I was drowning and that if I didn't quit that job I would have refused myself the lifejacket So my advice to all of you who deal with stupid stress generator people is :

   BE BLIND, DEAF and ignore them IF YOU are that strong,
   or If you're weak like "I was" create a lifejacket for yourself,
   grab it, swim to some other place. And as you know it the biggest
   city on earth which must have billions of work positions available is not even bigger than your smallest nail - when you look at it in the globe and an usual globe is bigger than thousands of nails put together :) Think about it!

   Something else that may help you too is Charlie Chaplin's saying
   "Life is a tragedy when you look at it in close up but a Comedy in long shot".




4. If you wake up every morning trying to figure out yet another excuse to call in sick to work so that you can take your brain off the hook for a while and allow your emotions a few hours to heal -- this book is for you. (Especially if you're the kind of person who gets up and goes in no matter how awful you feel!)
   
   Of course, it just might be that you need another job more than you need this book! However, the truth is that no matter where you go -- there you are! Stress follows you from one job to another. There's always another crazy co-worker. The people on the subway or highway will be every bit as crazy no matter what workplace you are headed for.
   
   What to do? Learn to handle the stress and reduce it with the tools in Reducing Stress (DK Essential Managers.) Wether you are in management or the lowest person on the corporate ladder, you'll find this book to be a useful tool for life. It's simple, to the point, and addresses issues that will change your life.

5 comments about Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Miniature Edition.

1. Be sure you are not buying the miniature edition, unless that is what you want. I thought I was buying the regular book and was surprised to receive a miniature edition.



2. This book did not meet my needs. I am having to teach this book at the university level, the miniature edition was not practical. Thank you.



3. I would recommend to buy the complete unabridged book, not the miniature edition.
   
   This book is the most famous title of Stephen R. Covey, a professor of Brigham Young University where he taught prior to the publication of this best-selling work. The audio version became the first non-fiction audio-book in U.S. publishing history to sell more than one million copies. Covey holds a BS degree in Business Administration from University of Utah in Salt Lake City, an MBA from Harvard University, and a Doctorate of Religious Education (DRE) in Mormon Church History and Doctrine from Brigham Young University. He also holds membership of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.
   
   This book is mainly about the time management (chapters 1, 2, 3, 7) and interpersonal relationships (chapters 4, 5, 6). The other time-management books, like "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and "Time Drive" by Gleb Arkhangelsky, frequently overlook the importance of interpersonal relationships in the time management.
   
   Many of the ideas and much of the language of this book recast the content of the classic 1966 Peter F. Drucker book "The Effective Executive", wherein Drucker wrote: "Effectiveness, in other words, is a habit", and which includes a chapter called "First Things First".
   
   The author consistently opposes "quick-fix" solutions to life or business problems and insists that changes in paradigm or mindset to align with natural principles provide the "true" source of solutions. Covey points out, for example, that the paradigm that produces short-term results in business inevitably leads to an inability to produce results for the long term. He calls this "killing the golden goose". Covey advocates balancing short- and long-term productive capacities as the most effective mindset for the businessperson.
   
   Once again, I would recommend to buy the complete unabridged book, not the miniature edition.



4. Like another reader, I somehow buyed this edition which is microscopical in size. There are two problems:
   
   1) I guess the text is abridged because the content is not very cohesive.
   2) As the book is so small, it is impossible to get a sense of the structure of the content.
   
   If you had asked me right after reading the book what the 7 habits were, I wouldn't have been able to answer to you. And this hasn't changed since then. I guess I'll have to buy the unabridged standard format edition



5. Speedy delivery. In very good condition. However didn't realise it was going to be this small. However, handy.

5 comments about Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude.

1. This book was GREAT! I reccommend it to anyone, and i actually think that in some way it is better than Think and Grow Rich



2. This is unquestionably one of the very best books ever written on the science of personal success. Written in the same vein as the Napoleon Hill classic, "Think and Grow Rich," this book is full of inspiring examples of how focusing the mind upon intended positive outcomes can be the catalyst to great accomplishment and personal growth.
   
   The message is extremely powerful and its strict application MUST invariably lead you towards the fulfillment of whatever aims you focus its principles towards.
   
   In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I am a speaker, trainer, and author of another unique and highly valuable learning tool that can also be found here on Amazon: The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual and Active Link Library. It is a straight-forward discussion of the art and science of personal wealth creation and should be considered by anyone serious about wanting to learn more about the right way to get started on the road to personal wealth creation and financial freedom!
   
   Other "WealthLoop Series" tools of worth looking into include:
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording
   
   and
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.



3. I'm a busy venture capitalist who normally would not take the time to write a review about a book that I bought for someone else. But, that's precisely the point. I read "Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude" 30 years ago and it has made all the difference in my life. It can in yours, too, but you have to apply it and constantly monitor your thinking. Everything starts as a thought. The Golden Gate bridge started as an idea in an architect's mind. He then put it on paper and showed it to others in a positive manner and with an enthusiasm that persuaded others to believe in the idea and to take action.
   
   There is one other book that can also make quite a difference and will guide you with wisdom, hope and faith that can fuel the positive energy that comes from PMA. That is the good old fashioned Bible. I'm not religious or a "Bible thumper;" just a guy who wishes he'd read it 30 years ago as well. The two books will arm you for a great life. And, you would like to do something collectively as well (but it is not necessary in order to benefit from these two books), then I encourage you to read my book, "ResoNation." Resonation: Enlightened Government for We the People[



4. At age 21 I read this wonderful book, and it changed my life forever!
   The book inspired me to be more, learn more and achieve so much more, while sheltering me from all the negatives that surround us. Over the last 31 years I have become successful, in great part to this book, which inspired me to write my own self help book: THE POWER OF BEING DIFFERENT.
   What really inspires people is real life examples of successful individuals that had been unsuccessful and struggling for many years. This book keeps you pumped up in every single chapter.
   It actually inspired me to write and publish 5 of my own books.
   My goal was to write a book like this one that would inspire and lift someone up in every single chapter.
   THIS ONE IS A WINNER!!!!! Don't miss out.
   John Paul Carinci



5. This is another self-help book that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. The book begins with PMA and NMA talismans, in other words a gimmick. It reminds me of the old-timer street hawkers that sold elixirs that would help any illness you had.
   
   I do believe in the power of your mind being part of what you need to concentrate on to be whatever you want to be. I just don't see a need to have someone push a "end-all" to get there. If theirs is the ONLY way to achieve it, why are there so many self-help books on the market? Also, it is mostly a rewrite of Hill's THINK AND GROW RICH and if you want to know about that book, buy it, not this one.
   
   If you are someone that needs a push and a gimmick to get your going in the right direction, this audio book many give you what you need. If you don't, then it will not hold much interest for you.

5 comments about The Secret Handshake: Mastering the Politics of the Business Inner Circle.

1. This is a fantastic eye-opener. As a technically-competent guy, I am always puzzled that certain managers like me a lot, while others seem the other way. This book gives me the answers.
   
   I read the book from library several times during my vacation; then listen to its CD's on my way commute; and finally decide to own a copy of the book to put onto my shelf.



2. Like her "It's All Politics" book, this book is all about interpersonal relationships and succeeding in them--without losing your career, your integrity or your soul! Both should be a "must read" for leaders and managers, alike--and a great read for women!



3. Nothing new in this book. Same old tired ideas.
   The author is a PhD consultant, looking to bolster her consulting practice by using this book to claim she's an expert in business communications.
   
   This is just another output from the 'publish or perish' requirement for professors. These PhD's are forced to write these books with rehashed ideas, just to keep their teaching jobs, and convince a few gullible middle managers they know what they're talking about.
   
   You'll learn a lot more from "Influence" by R. Cialdini
   and "Play like a man, win like a woman" by Gail Evans



4. This book is a good primer on office politics -- how best to deal with people to be successful. I listened to a Book on Tape from the library first, then bought the book. There are many stories that illustrate her points. All in all a logical, easy to understand book that discusses how to communicate and deal with conflict more effectively.



5. This book is very comprehensive on something we encounter every day. Do you wonder why that job "didn't work out" or why you are miserable in your current environment? Take a read. What do you have to lose?

5 comments about Winning: The Answers: Confronting 74 of the Toughest Questions in Business Today.

1. I have the Book Winning in print and CD. After listening to it on CD, I had to get the print edition to write notes in the columns and use it as a reference along with his other book "The Four E's of Leadership". This book is a good contiuation of the conversation. If you are a student of successful leaders this book is worth the price. It gives a few more examples of real world situations.



2. Jack Welch's common sense approach to business and the management of people has really helped guide my career.



3. This is excellent book explained in a very simple manner. Its worth keeping a copy for yourself.



4. Whether you read Winning or not, you should check out this book. I purchased a copy of Winning and due to the fact that I had it autographed by Jack and the book is pretty long, I have never read it. I listened to the audio version and found it had some valuable insights, but a lot of filler. (I have read Jack: Straight from the Gut and was impressed enough to join GE upon graduating college.)
   
   If you like Jack and Suzy's column in Business Week, you will like Winning: The Answers. I was able to finish this book on a 3 hour flight. The book is formatted as concise 1-3 page answers to questions readers of Jack's other works have come up with.
   
   The questions are grouped into the main categories of:
   -Global competition (China!)
   -Leadership (being a better boss)
   -Management Principles and Practices (running a business to win / be successful)
   -Careers ("On Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of a Promotion")
   The above four categories take up ~200 pages.
   
   The remaining two categories take up only ~40 pages: Privately Held, Winning and Losing.
   
   New and old managers should find the chapters on Leadership, Management Principles, and Career progression very useful.



5. Great book to complement his previous artwork "Winning". Every business person should read this great book.

3 comments about Business Ethics, A Teaching and Learning Classroom Edition: Concepts and Cases.

1. The author uses too many sophisticated words, therefore, the student won't remember much of the material that was just read. I would not recommend the book, it is not going to put any depth into the topic. Most of the time reading this book turned out to be worthless



2. Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases is widely used as an introduction to the study of business ethics. I have seen it used in first and second year philosophy courses; it is also used at the graduate level in business schools. The author, Manuel Velasquez, was trained as a philosopher but has worked in business programs for a good deal of his career. Not surprisingly then the text tends to reflect the preoccupations of business faculties more than those of philosophy departments.
   
   In several key respects the text is philosophically unsophisticated, especially in chapter two, the lengthy chapter devoted to normative ethical theory. Many philosophers would reject Velasquez' characterization of Kantian ethics, especially his explanation of the first formulation. His treatment of the ethic of caring in chapter two is adequate, but in later chapters the core elements of the caring perspective are lost, to be replaced by a generalized concern for the welfare of everyone, even that of total strangers and distant ecosystems.
   
   One of the chief strengths of the text lies in the high quality of the case studies. These have been carefully crafted to bring out the complexity and uncertainties of everyday moral deliberation.
   
   This the sixth edition of the text reflects the general trend in collegiate publishing to appeal to weaker students who find reading a chore and resent being confronted with their own limitations. It is ironic then that one reviewer has complained that the language employed in the text is unduly sophisticated. This is one of the simpler texts in business ethics. Unlike other texts in the Prentice Hall catalog it doesn't expect students to read scholarly work in its original form, but instead offers predigested summaries of important theories and principles found in ethics.
   
   The fifth edition is more detailed than the sixth edition and doesn't see the need for photographs, sidebar summaries, bulleted lists, video CDs of the nightly news and other props which add to the price of an already overpriced textbook.



3. 
   Finding the textbook at the right price was very easy. I received notification from the seller that the book had been shipped via USPO with a tracking link a few days after I purchased the book. However, it took over 10 days to get the book. Too long a time for mailing.

5 comments about Hitting Your Stride: Your Work -- Your Way (Capital Career & Personal Development) (Capital Career & Personal Development).

1. I bought Hitting Your Stride for my nephew who graduated from college last year and can't seem to find his niche in the corporate world yet. I read it before I gave it to him, there is a lot of wonderful information written in a fun and engaging way for any young person starting their career. Ms. Russell has done a fabulous job using many interesting scenarios. I highly recommend this book for all young people and their parents, it gives you a new outlook on what your children are facing and how they can handle these new challenges. Times have changed, that's for sure.



2. A great read. Finally, an honestly written commentary on the corporate world and sage advice for anyone looking to make a difference. This book asks the tough questions. The advice is insightful and relevant.



3. This book is not just pie in the sky theory and philosophy. It is full of ideas and simple practices to create your own successful career path and be happy at the same time. Ms. Russell shares inspiring quotes, real-world experiences and entertaining stories that make this book an easy read.



4. Inspiring and motivating. I purchased it as a gift but just had to read it first...well written and the author lives nearby.



5. No-nonsense career advice, dispensed with anecdotes from the author's own life to make for friendly reading. Unlike preachy self-help books that end up sitting unread on the shelf, this book invites repeat visits and is set up so that you can dip into chapters in whichever order appeals to you.

5 comments about Defining Moments: When Managers Must Choose Between Right and Right.

1. A few weeks ago a customer of mine asked my assistance to help his organisation to write an ethical code. I knew he had been "working" on this topic for the last 2 years and that he had been applying some of the principles I teach in my emotional intelligence classes. Apparently, this hadn't been enough to solve his problem, but it was enough to come back to me to seek my advice. This was one of the books I bought to document myself on the issue.

   This book was a good resource by providing me different points of views concerning the question, and by pointing out that it's not a simple matter of making a choice (for instance, one lead by intuition and emotions, as is recommended sometimes). The cases presented point to several kinds of dilemmas: the personal ones (choosing between what's right for you and for the organisation), the managerial ones (choosing between the organisation and the people that ore working for it) and the social ones (choosing between the organisation and the larger social system it's a part of). The book also points out different sources we have for basing our decisions on.

   The problem remains that values and principles often point into different directions. Ethical choice techniques such as the "sleep-test", the "golden rule" and other sources of inspiration do not solve this.

   Learning from that, it becomes clear why one should not expect to find the answers to your ethical problems in this book. Finding "the" answer is "impossible". In a "defining moment", you will have to examine which values you are committed to, these values will be put to test (will you go for their implications) and they will shape your future. I believe (with the author) that there are no easy answers to the *real* issues we are faced with. That's why this book shows in what way you have to search for your answer. Reading this book will at least allow you to ask the right questions and to look at various aspects in order to make a personal choice.

   If I would have read this book earlier, my own book would certainly have included a reference to it.

   What will I tell my customer? Well, writing the "code" won't be enough, in stead we should focus on teaching people how to make an ethical choice.

   Patrick E.C. Merlevede, M.Sc is the main author of "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence"




2. Great choice for any manager or business administration student.



3. The introductory chapters to this book were very good and gave me some good insights. The ending was quite weak and the author didn't have a definite direction in the book. However, I still consider it an interesting read and enjoyed some of his perspectives about ethics.



4. When managers are making choices, we typically evaluate them by attempting to determine which choice is right and which is not. Many times both choices are "right" choices which makes the decision more difficult and more frustrating for managers.
   
   Badaracco provides excellent examples of real life situations where managers had to choose between "right" and "right" in making a decision. The decision making process used by each manager in the examples was assessed from the philosophical prospectives of three prominant philosophers, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Machiavelli.
   
   A great read with valuable advice for everyone, not just managers.



5. I read this a few years after I had been in senior management and wished deeply that I had discovered it earlier. One of the great challenges facing new managers is decision making where the choices all involve some positive and negative aspects. There are also many organization pressures that force individuals to consider suboptimal paths to "be a team player."
   
   It's a slippery slope and one that is hard to navigate without a great deal of thought and a clarity of personal professional purpose.
   
   This is a small book that easily engages the reader in a fascinating path to understanding these core management issues.
   
   Management, especially senior management, starts to look like politics and turns into a soup of interests and circumstances that make the "right" decision hard to discern and possibly even harder to live with.
   
   Given the impact to size ratio and high quality of the writing I'd make this book a must-read in the category.