The No Asshole Rule

Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't

By: Robert I. Sutton Ph.D.

Narrated by: Robert Sutton

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive guide to working with - and surviving - bullies, creeps, jerks, tyrants, tormentors, despots, backstabbers, egomaniacs, and all the other assholes who do their best to destroy you at work.

"What an asshole!" How many times have you said that about someone at work? You're not alone! In this groundbreaking book, Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton builds on his acclaimed Harvard Business Review article to show you the best ways to deal with assholes...and why they can be so destructive to your company.

Practical, compassionate, and in places downright funny, this guide offers:

• Strategies on how to pinpoint and eliminate negative influences for good Illuminating case histories from major organizations
• A self-diagnostic test and a program to identify and keep your own "inner jerk" from coming out

The No Asshole Rule is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Business Week best seller.

©2007 Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Sutton's work is sure to generate discussions at watercoolers around the country and deserves influence in corporate hiring and firing strategies." (Publishers Weekly)

So funny!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This book is for anyone who has worked with or for an asshole. Also helpful for those who make hiring-firing decisions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The No Asshole Rule?

The stories from the author about real-life a**hole bosses will have you doubled over.

Which scene was your favorite?

The breakdown of the cost a company suffers from employing an a**hole was valuable. It doesn't pay to hire and retain them! They do more damage than good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. This book is also very short, so you can almost listen to it in one sitting.

I Found This Book Very Helpful to Me

I found this book very helpful to me. It definitely points to me on the parts that I should do to build a civilized workplace.

Everyone Should Read

This book is phenomenal! It has made me look at how I deal with people and if I would be considered an asshole or not. I feel as though all businesses should read this book and see where they sit and if anything needs to be change.

It's about time!

I hesitated to purchase this book because once it's on the I-POD, there is alway chance of our teen sons being interested in looking at it. I then decided that if they asked about it, I would let let listen and it would be a great opportunity to tell how things will be in their lives in just a few short years. There can't be ANYONE who does not identify with this book, whether as a transgressor or victim, and both sides can (hopefully) learn. And the humor factor is pretty high, the writing well done, and the scenarious true to life. It's a hit-you know, the book you KNOW you will DEFINITELY listen to many times over the life of your I-POD! Great "light
listen" where you learn without even knowing it!
Language is the only barrier for either kids or adults who can't just filter it out-I got tired of it so I just began to ignore it.

THe No Asshole Rule

Boring and except for the title not worth the money or time to listen....

Not As Good As Expected

Would you try another book from Robert I. Sutton and/or Robert Sutton?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

I missed that this was the abridged version, so I'm hoping my disappointment was due to not hearing the entire book. I download this book based on a pretty great podcast featuring the author, but felt like the book was missing some of the info I would have expected.

GREAT BOOK!

IF YOU ARE AN ASSHOLE...
THAN YOU SHOULD STOP BEING AN ASSHOLE! BOTTOM LINE!

TO THE REST OF US...
☆FEET FIRST
☆PROTECT YOUR HEAD
☆CONSERVE YOUR ENERGY

great book

great read I highly enjoyed it. quick easy read. great content. listen while you're driving or, sitting at the office . I really want to figure out how to share this book as onebook

I Bet The Essay Was Better

I suspect that the the essay that was the basis for this book was a better read than the full book. I absolutely love the premise and the fact that it is important to build civilized workplaces. It is absolutely true that the working world is full of assholes, which really tends to make things suck. But once you establish that, and give some high level advice on how to avoid it, how to get away from it, and how to recognize it in yourself, there's not a lot of need for something deeper.

I was particularly happy that the author chose to use the word "asshole" instead of something less offensive like "bully." He describes why he did that, and how it was an intentional, important choice. Using that word is more forceful than a less offensive word, and tends to make the ideas presented carry more weight. For organizations that implement the rule, they are more likely to be successful with it if they call it the "asshole rule." He does use that word a lot. By the time the book was over, it didn't even register when he said it. So maybe he overdid it some -- again, I think the shorter essay was probably a more appropriate treatment.

It's a good rule to enforce at work. It's a good thing to keep in mind when examining yourself, to make sure that you're not the asshole. And if your workplace doesn't enforce it, it's a good thing to recognize, and to take steps to move on to a workplace that does. Unless you work for Apple, maybe.

It was a good listen, but I wouldn't recommend spending any money to listen to or read it yourself. Borrow a copy from the library if you want. Or search the web for a number of blog posts (some by the author) about the subject, and you'll be fine.

AMAZING!

I’m. In. Love. With the content, nothing creepy.
Much needed sanity check.
Thank you very much!