World Famous Comics: The Complete Idiot's Guide To Office Politics (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
The Complete Idiot's Guide To Office Politics (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
By: Laurie E. Rozakis Publisher: Alpha Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Alpha Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 320 Publication Date: July 01, 1998
You're no idiot, of course. You get your work done on time, know better than to insult your boss's wardrobe, and always volunteer for overtime when it's crunch time. But when it comes to getting ahead in the game of office politics, you feel like you'll always be last on the totem pole. Don't crawl under your desk just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to office Politics shows you how to navigate the turbulent waters of your company's politcal ocean without drowning. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:
Pretty Useless Well I was frustrated by the book. It told me absolutely nothing. First of all it assumes that everything in the office is polarized. It also assumes that your boss controls the playing cards, when it reality (at least where I work) the person who makes decisions and recommendations on promotions is several notches above the boss. The book constantly states the obvious. Then restates it again and again. Take this line from a chapter on meetings; 'The best way to save time is to look for ways to do things more efficiently' (pg.77) In another chapter we're told not be imtimidated by office superstars.
The book is filled with little stories, dull humor, and self assessments that tell us nothing. Then there's the contractictions. In one chapter we're told not to trust any of our coworkers because of potential backstabbing and then in another we're told to network to find better jobs.
But the lack of useful material is not suprising considering that one of the authors is an english teacher and the other author works for a comic book company. And one of the methods the authors use to fill up pages is to talk about themselves. Bob brags that he's 'met Big Stars with astonishing frequency. I've run into such notables as Genee Shallit, Barbara Walters, Dave Winfield, and Robert Redford on the elevator.' (pg. 194). About Laurie we learn her experience teaching English in highschool.
The book states what to drink at business parties, but not how to get invited to them. It states nothing about the golf courses or tennis courts where a number business deals are done. And it omits any reference to getting ahead in the federal or state government. What a complete waste.
A great book for idiots like you and me I noticed that the reviews for this book were pretty poor--along the lines of "only an idiot would get something from this book!" Well, I got a lot from this book, and I'll bet you will too. You can work your whole life wondering and complaining about why things are, well, the way they are; or, you can read a book like this and get some insight.
Yes, this book is a compendium of psychological profiles of personality disorders. But those are the people you work with, so why not find out more about them? And where are you going to find out about them--dull, dry tomes you never bothered to read when you took psychology in college?
Idiot's guides _ARE_ written for the lowest common denominator. I would not read one about my field of expertise, but I don't mind reading one where I know I don't know. I felt this book was pretty accurate and pretty humorous, and I don't regret buying it. I keep it at work as a kind of garlic and holy water to ward off the the real idiots who try to make my life difficult.
Could be better, but may be helpful for some Briefly, the book was on the disappointing side. The authors have spent a long time infusing what they think is humor into every chapter which got old after a bit. While much of what is written seems to be common sense there are some helpful insights scattered throughout the book, but you have to read through a lot of fluff. The few scraps of meat in the text certainly cause you to pause and evaluate your own work relationships, behavior, as well as your coworkers, to include your boss. If money is tight, then go ahead and buy it. If you are looking for something helpful, buy something other then this book. Three stars was generous.
Don't buy this book. This is the most useless book that I have ever bought ... It's basically a collection of bad office jokes with a 1 page of real advice that's so obvious, that everyone except for the complete moron would already know. If you really want a book dealing with office politics, get "The 48 Laws of Power" - it's much more to the point, applicable beyond the office, with lots of interesting historical examples.
Excellent book for office survival I found this book extremely useful. I was frustrated for quite a long time with my career without knowing the most important element I 've ignored in coporate life is office politics. However, this book saved me, while putting my way into success. I joined a new company half year ago, doing all stuff by the way received from the book, the result is amazing!!- that I could almost overcome any obstacle on my way up.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
