#thenoassholerule

[cityofchapin]

Currently listening to... #audiobook #TheNoAssholeRule https://www.instagram.com/p/BovJwPVh0X4Z5qatB43QmEbH8UMpAiaQxp4ghQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xz1lpdwfki8k

[whatsshereading]

The No Asshole Rule by Robert Sutton

I read this book purely for work-related reasons, but I decided to share it here anyways.  This was recommended to me by my father, who has listened to me wax poetic about the various jerks I've come across in my day to day life.

After getting over the shock value of the title, I quickly found this to be an important and instructional manual that all workplaces should have on hand.  Although it may sound silly and idealistic, Dr. Sutton brings up several excellent points about removing jerks, bullies, and, yes, assholes, from work places to create a happier and more productive environment for everyone else.

Almost immediately after starting his book, Dr. Sutton fully admits to being an asshole himself from time to time.  In fact, he devotes a whole chapter to discussing circumstances when it is actually a good thing to be an asshole (although he cautions the reader to use this type of thinking sparingly and only under specific circumstances, otherwise you run the risk of becoming a full fledged, all-the-time asshole).  We've all been in situations that push our buttons and bring out the worst in us at that moment, but most of us aren't like that all the time.  Dr. Sutton makes the important distinction between people that are sometimes vs all-the-time assholes.  This book is directed at dealing with the latter, although he urges the reader to take some time to self-reflect and determine if perhaps they are actually a bully/jerk/asshole.

 Each chapter features it's own topic, and each topic is discussed using multiple real life examples, usually work environments within large companies and corporations.  In many cases, Dr. Sutton also presents data showing what happened when these companies started enforcing a "no asshole policy".  For me, these real life examples with cold, hard supporting data really underscored that this type of policy works.  In every single case, after the asshole was removed the company had happier, more effective employees...which ultimately resulted in the company being more successful.

Dr. Sutton also includes several strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with assholes in your own life and work environment.  Many of these concepts (such as not feeding into an asshole's crazy ranting) seem self evident, but are sometimes easily forgotten when face to face with a situation involving an asshole.  Since finishing this book, I have had the opportunity to use some of these strategies, and I'm happy to report that they really do work.

Unfortunately, mean, nasty people are a fact of life.  In most instances, we can simply avoid or ignore them.  But sometimes, like in a workplace, we have to actually work with them and be exposed, or bear the brunt of, their nasty ways for extended periods of time.  I think this book is an essential manual to help identify, root-out, and deal with assholes to prevent them from negatively impacting your work environment and life.