Boss books

Let's stop B-S'ing each other eh?

We can talk about better opportunities
or cite work issues - we're professional after all
but behind closed doors - everyone knows
Our biggest job problems are people. Most often bosses.

An internationally respected author in non-profit ( Penelope Burke )
shared a little about her upcoming book "I'm leaving"
Inspired me to "come out of the closet" and publish this list

For many years I have read every book
I could get my hands on to coach others
through trauma, discomfort and distress
to help myself through sticky situations
and to make sure I caused as few as possible
when on that fateful day I became - "boss"


I get asked a lot about the best of the 20+ I've read
Here are a few.

Under the "no A-hole is going to chase me out of my job
(dealing with it)" category:

"I Hate People!: Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What You Want Out of Your Job"

It almost sounds defeatist and negative
but it's all about recognizing the problem
understanding the issues
and providing concreate ways to deal with others

With names like:
- The stop sign
- The bulldozer
- Smiley Face
- Switchblade
- The spreadsheet and more...
you'll recognize coworkers instantly
and you'll have a new arsenal to achieve in spite of them

2) "Am I the only sane one working here?"

Another great read where you'll get some stress relief
learn a lot about what's causing you problems
and find solutions to deal with them.

This book is a little more evil
because it encourage you
to watch bad people melt down
and enjoy it a little bit

The "Problem Boss" category

Wow, this one was a biggie. It was powerful.
For those people with truly terrible bosses
Who throw tantrums, shout, hiss, get personal
passive-aggressively perpetrate evil
This book is a life saver.
Chicken soup for the jaded soul (fun read)

It specifically discusses the many
faces, moods and methods of truly tyrant bosses
and gives you instant ways to deal and deflect

It's only slight flaw,
you might need to be a parent
or understand children to read it.

Solving the problems daily category:

This book isn't about "bosses"
but is all about "non-violent communication"
Much like a big favorite of mine "Crucial Conversations"
This book instantly gives you every day language
to become a judo-word master
and deflect and diffuse problems
before they start

I've tried it. THIS IS REAL.

Don't become that boss category!

A fable format book
you can get through on a couple commutes
it really shows you how high producing professionals
can easily become bad bosses

Like Anakin Skywalker started
as a kind young lad and became Lord Vader

A fun and insightful read.
If you have a "bad boss"
this book will even help you
to understand them a lot better.


A more recent publication "Good Boss, Bad Boss"
I like that it considers the stress
we've all been under during the recession.
This book starts by acknowledging
that most bosses don't even want to be a boss, or "lead"

With wonderful bonuses like
- the ego survey
- top traps to becoming a bad boss
- how to actually earn respect from employees
- how to be firm but empowering

This book is great value
and filled with great advice
for the present and the future

I personally HATE the word boss because,
as I've been saying since Grade 1
"You're not the boss of me"
but you know who IS the boss of me?
Me.

That's the number one thing
that comes out of all these books
is that all we can control
is ourselves and our own reactions to others

Master that, and no one can screw with you.

I have had brilliant supervisors
I have been blessed with tyrants and despots
BOTH have taught me much

I hope these books and notes are of value.
Use them in good health and maybe....
your employees won't refer to you as

A BOSSHOLE

Don't let it come to this. ( opens July 2011)