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The No Asshole Rule
Building a Civilised Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
The No Asshole Rule delves into the problem of bullying or aggressive co-workers, who in many cases rise to management positions. Sutton provocatively labels them assholes.
The book lays out the effect these employees can have on a business, and gives advice on how to develop an asshole-free environment.
- Anyone who wants to learn how to identify and deal with assholes in the workplace
- Every office worker, whether employee, manager, consultant or intern
- Anyone who wants to avoid being seen as an asshole
Robert I. Sutton (*1954) is a Professor at Stanford Business School. He has advised numerous international companies and published several popular scientific books.
The book draws on his extensive experiences working for some of the world’s biggest companies and best-known CEOs such as Steve Jobs.
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The No Asshole Rule
Building a Civilised Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
- Read in 15 minutes
- Audio & text available
- Contains 9 key ideas
Synopsis
The No Asshole Rule delves into the problem of bullying or aggressive co-workers, who in many cases rise to management positions. Sutton provocatively labels them assholes.
The book lays out the effect these employees can have on a business, and gives advice on how to develop an asshole-free environment.
Key idea 1 of 9
Assholes are bad for business – especially when they hold management positions.
Lots of workplaces tolerate poor behavior without realizing the damage it causes.
In offices where assholes go unchallenged, employee morale is undeniably lower than in comparable workplaces which maintain a friendly, respectful and professional atmosphere.
This has a huge effect on everybody’s productivity.
Employees with low morale are more likely to resign, take more sick leave and are generally less productive. They may get their own back by skipping work, producing poor results, or even stealing.
Assholes sap their colleagues’ energy – that goes for onlookers working in a hostile environment as well as direct victims.
Assholes in positions of power are particularly damaging. The employees under their management work with the constant threat of humiliation and expend their energy on avoiding it rather than focusing on good work. This quickly leads to a fearful, unproductive atmosphere.
Tolerating assholes is therefore a costly mistake for a business. The quality of work goes down as the best employees, who have more options available, leave for asshole-free workplaces.
Assholes are bad for business – especially when they hold management positions.
Key ideas in this title
- Assholes are bad for business – especially when they hold management positions.
- To create a great working-environment, businesses should adopt the No Asshole Rule.
- More equality equals fewer assholes.
- Being an asshole can be an advantage, but motivating employees through incentives is more effective.
- To create a civilized, productive workplace, focus on cooperation, rather than internal competition.
- Avoid assholes or you’ll become one yourself.
- Don’t let assholes get to you – build emotional distance.
- Everyone should use the No Asshole Rule all the time.
- Final summary