“The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t” is one of the excellent piece of work by Robert I. Sutton. The book is very helpful for those who work with assholes in their offices and workplaces. The book mainly focused on three areas: how one can identify assholes, how one can deal with that kind of jerks and what measures one can take not to become an asshole.
Part One:
I found the book most interesting because of its capacity to change the way, people use to think. While reading the book one can establish a relationship between experiences of dealing with such jerks and characteristics of assholes provided in the book. Majority of us deals with assholes but we do not know how to handle them without disappointing ourselves. Many people leave their jobs because they are humiliated or disappointed by assholes. Instead of dealing with such assholes sometimes people leave even their dream jobs. Such jerks not only hamper the performance of individuals, associated with them but also affect organization. The book provides step by step solution to the problems that people faces at workplace due to assholes. The book can give an insight and various methods to deal in such situations where people are surrounded by assholes. With the help of book one can protect himself from not being troubled by such assholes. The book is very helpful in making organizations a better place to work.
Another interesting thing I found about the book is that it helps in analyzing peoples own behavior. Sometimes unknowingly people act like assholes. With the help of test provided in the book one can assess whether he act like such jerks or not. Author describes various techniques which can help people to avoid from not acting like jerks or assholes. Sutton very brilliantly describes the characteristics of assholes and how badly it affects other employees. The author also supports his statements with examples and data wherever it was required. Overall the book is a great help for employees as well employers to make their workplace healthier. The book also helps in improving employee retention and in increasing their productivity.
Part Two:
The title of the book is somewhat offensive though it reflects the true meaning of the book. The book is planned in such a way that it takes lots of effort in finding that whether assholes are boon or curse for the organizations. Initial chapters of the book described all the negative aspects of assholes. Chapters cover how harmful they are for companies along with fellow employees. The book also carries one chapter which discusses all the good qualities and virtue of assholes.
Part Three:
The book covers three major aspects in the book:
1. How to identify assholes – the book provides three ways by which one can identify assholes.
a. Starbuck Test – if a person is ordering a petty combination of food items which does not make any sense. Person is asking those items just to reflect his or her power; that fellow is an asshole.
b. Twelve actions – the author suggested twelve actions of assholes. They are mainly focused on insulting others, do not provide personal space, sarcastic jokes, dirty looks, rude behavior, publicly insult others, humiliate and degrade other as they are not human.
c. Third method is not very reliable but a great fun. In this method you search the person with his or her name and add asshole to it.
2. How one can protect to be an asshole – it is very important analyze your past behavior; any incident when you were acting likes a jerk. When you realize that you are a jerk, try to change your behavior. The things need t be adapted in behavior are:
a. Do not treat people in bad way and do not degrade or humiliate them. It is very important that you do not flash your power and underestimate other just because they have less authority.
b. One should avoid behaving like assholes just after once realization because such behavior cannot be control in a day time. People should also take it as a transmissible disease so when you are infected there are high chances that other may also learn from your behavior.
c. You should consider that everyone has same aspirations, desires and goals; they are not different or worse than you. It is also not necessary that if you win others have to lose. This thinking can protect you to be an asshole.
3. How one can handle assholes – Assholes always try to upset others hence while working with assholes you should keep your expectations lower. Do not get emotionally attach with such people and limit your interaction with them. Enjoy all small wins to cherish yourselves. You should deal with them calmly and can also educate those people who occasionally act like assholes. Sometimes it is also important to raise your voice to make them realize that they are no better than you.
Part Four:
The book is very helpful in dealing with assholes who not only hamper individual performance but also growth of organization. With the techniques suggested in the book one can protect his or her interest and make organization a better place to work.
Reference
Sutton, R. I. (2007). The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't. New York: Business Plus.
