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25 January 2006

Is there such a thing Dept: Is there a book to help tactless people successfully navigate the backstabbing political waters of business?

post by: chewatadistance at: 11:30 | 21 comments

Um, this is a cottage industry, or I'm not understanding you.

Machiavelli, "The Prince"
Sun Tzu, "The Art of War"
Dale Carnegie, "How to Win Friends and Influence People"
Mumblety Else, "Who Moved My Cheese?"

posted by stilicho 25 January | 11:45

I'm not tactless, but rather tone-deaf to the nuances of office politics (I assume that what people say is what they mean), so I could use something like that too.

One book that I have found useful in the software world is The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World by Christopher Duncan (which appears to have a second edition forthcoming).

posted by matildaben 25 January | 11:48

Danke! Adding to reading list. Currently reading Win Friends & Influence. Currently laughing at Mumblety Else.

posted by chewatadistance 25 January | 11:50

I would second stilicho's first three choices. But with Machiavelli, and Sun Tzu, take your time and look them over carefully in the bookstore. Be sure you get a translation you like because if you get one not to your taste you won't end up getting much from it. Avoid the Cheese book and that Kindergarten book - pop culture tripe. I would highly recommend a public speaking course. You will learn a lot about communication, both oral and body language, and you will become more aware of other people and of yourself. Even if you don't do any public speaking after the course it will help in any setting.

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 12:33

Sun Tzu - pftftftftftt.

Musashi - Five Rings

posted by warbaby 25 January | 12:37

This is particularly helpful

posted by warbaby 25 January | 12:39

Musashi - pftftftftftt.

Tsunetomo - Hagakure.

posted by Hugh Janus 25 January | 12:42

(I assume that what people say is what they mean) A suggestion for this problem. Get things in writing. Even if the other person will not write things down you can and then send it as a memo or e-mail. Example: "Bob. I just wanted to follow up on the project1 meeting. I am responsible for targets 1,7 and optionally 11. You will let me know about the status of 11 by closing Monday. Thanks." If the person replies you have his agreement in writing. If the other person does not reply then follow-up with another request. That way even if he will not give you an answer you have a trail showing you tried to clarify what needed to be done.

I had a boss who was a pathological liar and documenting things in this way meant I kept my job and he got fired.

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 12:51

Arse_hat, thanks, but that's not exactly what I meant. I meant more like just assuming the best of people and that when they say they are on my side it doesn't occur to me that they might have their own agenda and be trying to get something for themselves. Maybe this means I am kind of self-centered and have a hard time seeing things from other people's point of view. Gee, I've never heard of a programmer with that personality trait! I guess it just means being more aware of what other people's motivations might be in situation X. I've been thinking of reading Getting To Yes - is that a good one?

posted by matildaben 25 January | 13:12

I have not read Getting To Yes. I would recommend the public speaking thing again. I hire programmers and engineers and a lot of them can be a bit socially tone deaf. Nothing will teach you about reading people like interacting with them in a setting where you are a bit off balance and nervous.

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 13:24

arse_hat - I think I can see the logic in your public speaking practice suggestion - I have a feeling you're right, and it seems like a good way to learn to think on your feet. Looking up Toastmasters local chapter...

posted by chewatadistance 25 January | 13:31

They do have a Toastmasters here at work. About 2/3 of the employees are sales and customer care so they are probably very good at talking to people. I would definitely be outside of my comfort zone, but it's probably a good idea. I'm actually reasonably extroverted when I'm in my comfort zone, but can flip over into shyness.

posted by matildaben 25 January | 13:37

I don't know about guidelines or anything but a couple of pieces of advice.

1. Do not offer up any more information than is required or asked. Further explanation open you up to criticisms and added responsibility.

2. Do not slag your co-workers or bosses to your other co-workers. It makes them distrust you as they'll assume you slag them to the others.

3. Don't steal other people's food. My personal belief is that lunch stealers should be executed or, at the very least, locked in the stocks and have rotten tomatoes thrown at them.

posted by fenriq 25 January | 13:48

Okay, but what if you consider yourself a great judge of people, and are more than capable of speaking publicly, but become a moron who offers wayyy too much when dealing with moronic bosses?

I have this tendency to keep talking until I have offered all solutions and agreed to take care of everything.

Is there any hope for me?

posted by richat 25 January | 13:56

Did I mention the moron part?

posted by richat 25 January | 13:57

Damn, that's a nasty habit! Martyr complex? ;)

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 14:33

Really? You think it sounds like a martyr complex? It could be, me ol' ma was a terrible martyr. Perhaps I am turning into her.

I think I need learn to to follow fenriq's rule number one.

posted by richat 25 January | 14:50

Sounds like a good idea.

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 14:58

There is a local toastmaster meeting tomorrow night! If i can get this deadline out of my face I am gonna go!

posted by chewatadistance 25 January | 16:05

Whenever you go just remember to have fun!

posted by arse_hat 25 January | 20:14

Aye aye cap'n arsey. will file a report accordingly! :D

posted by chewatadistance 25 January | 22:21

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