Product Description

When the Harvard Business Review asked Robert Sutton for suggestions for its annual list of Breakthrough Ideas, he told them that the best business practice he knew of was 'the no asshole rule'. Sutton's piece became one of the most popular articles ever to appear in the HBR. Spurred on by the fear and despair that people expressed, the tricks they used to survive with dignity in asshole-infested places, the revenge stories that made him laugh out loud and the other small wins that they celebrated against mean-spirited people, Sutton was persuaded to write THE NO ASSHOLE RULE. He believes passionately that civilised workplaces are not a naive dream, that they do exist, do bolster performance and that widespread contempt can be erased and replaced with mutual respect when a team or organisation is managed right. There is a huge temptation by executives and those in positions of authority to overlook this trait especially when exhibited by so-called producers, but Sutton shows how overall productivity suffers when the workplace is subjected to this kind of stress.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24571 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
'This meticulously researched book... puts into plain language an undeniable fact: the modern workplace is beset with assholes... Sure to generate discussion around watercoolers' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'The definitive guide to understanding, counteracting, and not becoming an asshole. I am qualified to make this judgment because (a) I've been an asshole a few times and (b) been a victim of assholes more than a few times' GUY KAWASAKI

Publishers Weekly
'Sure to generate discussion around watercoolers'

Observer
'Entertaining and important ... This book is a blow for humanity
as well as management'

Customer Reviews

Good ideas and well written
It is a combination of case-study, anecdote, psychology and sociology that builds on the idea of a workplace of mutual respect and extends it to the organisation, the boss, your colleagues, clients and yourself. There are plenty of funny and not-so-funny observations in this and it provides some insightful ways of surviving these toxic situations.

This Book is a Keeper!
Sutton gets it just right in this highly entertaining and relevant book. We all know people like those described in the book. And coping with them - or better yet keeping them out of our work lives - is a problem worth solving. It's nice to see someone in academia who embraces the practical concerns of real-life managers. Sutton's blend of case studies and thoughtful analysis is like a tonic for the spirit of those of us who have endured the sphincterage of terrible colleagues. You might wish that Sutton had written this book a while ago. Do your children a favor and save a copy for them. They'll need it.

Another Winner From Sutton
I admit it. I am a huge Sutton fan. I really enjoyed Weird Ideas that Work, and I think he outdid himself with the No A**hole Rule. This entertaining quick-read packs a good punch with a great balance of case studies and theory on jerks in the workplace. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I was able to finish this one in one sitting. The content of this book is topical to anyone in the workforce. Sutton (to my knowledge) is the first to address the issues discussed head on with excellent examples and candid advice.

Bob writes a lot on this topic in his Blog (which is very entertaining). If you want to take an Bob Sutton's A**hole self examination, you've got to take a stroll over to Guy Kawasaki's Blog and take the test.

Enjoy!