Book Review: The No Asshole Rule
Book Reviews March 16th, 2009Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t
First of all, if you weren’t thinking it already, let me say, I think the title of this book drastically limits sales. I for one, was very reluctant to pick up this book simply because of that first impression from the title. I’m not a fan or user of harsh language and so I was a bit skeptical of the book because of the title. Even still, I try to accept people and what they want to express in their own way and I can say that Sutton definitely does this in his book. Not only does he express his book in his own style and language about aromatherapie öle , he does it very well with a strong message and point portrayed, despite some of the harsh expression. If anything, the language Sutton used actually made me laugh out loud a number of times throughout the book. This is partly due to what he has to say, but also in the humorous (and harsh) language to express it. I think I’ll translate in this article to “Jerk” despite Sutton’s claim that it just doesn’t have the same ring of authenticity or emotional appeal. Perhaps he’s right, but too bad, its my article!
Identifying One
Sutton first defines what a jerk is, the kinds of things they do in the workplace and how you can easily identify them. He lists and explains several methods with some things that stand out as such an obvious sign right down to the everyday things like interruptions, personal insult and flaming emails. These things done consistently are sure signs of that jerk mentality.
Avoid Being One
Sutton explores many ways that a jerk can surface and the types of situations that make this behavior reinforced and dangerous to you if caught up in it. It can literally be contagious so avoiding these situations in the first place a sure method to deal with it. Here are a few more covered in the book:
- Walk away from gossip and other bad situations
- Focus on similarities to others, not differences
- Recognize when you are being a jerk yourself
- Don’t ever play power cards over others to get your way
- Focus on win-win negotiations with others
Dealing With One
Again, various techniques and behaviors are explored for dealing with a total jerk at work. Lower your expectations of the person but still hope for the best, you don’t want to get sucked into their vortex of despair. Another technique explored is to avoid dealing with them or even working to expose them for their poor choice of actions.  He touches on the advantages of looking for tiny bits of progress or wins when dealing with such a person and he even goes so far to mention some of the advantages a total jerk has, or you might have in being one yourself. Personally, I think he spent too much time on the book and the toxin of thinking for months about total jerks spilled over, I didn’t agree with that area much as I believe there are better ways to handle his suggestions.
Ruling Them Out
The book is really about keeping these types of people out. Out of your organization that is. Sutten looks at how this can be done with existing jerks and then how to stick to that plan and ensure no new jerks get in. It applies across all areas of the organization as well, employees, vendors, contractors, everyone. Since they can so easily spread, this rule must be applied swiftly and across the board. It’s like exterminating a bad insect or clearing out some toxin. Best to do it suddenly and all at once.
Summary
So, the book does explain the problem of these total jerks well and it answered all of my questions around finding them, dealing with them and also then in keeping them out of your life and organization. The advice here is very helpful, and you don’t have to be a total jerk in the process, it’s quite the opposite! I always enjoy books with humor and many personal stories, and this one is no exception to that once again. Stories shed example on what impact some of these jerks have in organizations and on the people as well. In addition, there are positive stories where corporations have turned around their business by implementing the title of this book. It’s great to see a business book that is entirely written about relationships and the people factor and I’m thrilled to see the interest it’s generated and I respect Sutton for the guts it took to be so bold to put out a frontal attack against the type of people that consistently belittle others and cause pain in the organization simply for their own pleasure and gain.
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March 16th, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Hey mike, nice review.
Quick question… if you had to pick an audience that got the most out of the book, who would it be?
-Matt
March 16th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Nice review – sounds like a good book to have around my office 🙂
March 16th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Matt, great question! I guess it is most appropriate for leaders and policy makers in an organization (Leaders, managers, HR). Some involvement with recruiting would certainly make the impact you have to control the personel easier to make the concepts in the book a lot easier to put into practise.
Anyone can benefit from the day to day practices and segments of advice about dealing with these “jerks” but to make the permanent shift an organization would need to rid itself of these people, you’d certainly need more authority. Thanks for the question, I hope I’ve answered it for you.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:18 PM
I love this book. Dealing with an asshole at work can suck the life out of me. We need to be aware of who we are hiring, so not to get caught in this trap.
For those of us who are already dealing with assholes then it’s up to us to confront them and stop their bulling ways. If they are the president of the organization then run like hell.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Thanks for the review and sharing your thoughts on the book, Mike. I’ll be reading it…and I can think of a few other people who would benefit from reading it also… 😉
March 17th, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Surprisingly, I didn’t see the advice to leave a copy of this book on the desk of all of those particular people who would “benefit” from reading it also. (said with a hint of sarcasm…)
March 17th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Those points about how to avoid being rudely cocky in a workplace are clear, like the one about playing power cards over others. When a power card is played, the other person first recognizes your weakness in having to resort to a power card, and then recognizes your rudeness in calling on an external assisting force to squash their argument. It shows interest in negating the argument of the other person without actually listening to their supporting evidence.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Good for you that you didn’t judge a book by it’s cover :). I appreciate the review and will add it to my list of books to read.
Thanks!
-Dustin
March 17th, 2009 at 8:32 PM
I actully never heard of this book. It looks like a great book for anyone getting or being in the corporate world. I am persoanlly trying to avoid this atomsphere again for some of the reasons above. I do belive the corporate lifestyle will change during these times we are going through and books like this are helping. Thanks for the great review.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:35 PM
I hear you Jay. I feel I have the right place in a small company where the coorporate atmosphere is directly under my influence in many ways, so this type of book and content becomes my own personal goals within the coorp. It’s likely the book didn’t get as much publicity simply due to its title. Not everyone wants that title heavily advertised, even though it is needed to get the point across in his context. (Reminds me of the points in Made To Stick actually, as this title definitely sticks!)
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Thanks Mike and Karl too. I’m adding it to my list right now.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:25 PM
I haven’t read the book yet but I like the ideas put forward for discussion and I hope I will find the book soon and will take a chance to read it.My favourite idea is about The WAY everyone must go in the life.And it leads in different directions.