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The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't

The No Asshole Rule, by Robert Sutton

Stanford University professor, Bob Sutton, has written a must-read book on a subject rarely discussed. The need for a more civilised workplace (and how to survive one that isn't). This book is written in plain language, and combines well-researched evidence with useful strategies on how to deal with difficult situations at work. Especially those resulting from difficult colleagues, or "assholes", as Sutton unashamedly calls them. So, if you're struggling to cope with assholes at work, this is the book to read!

Bob Sutton explains his motives for writing The No Asshole Rule:

"Most of us, unfortunately, have to deal with assholes in our workplaces at one time or another. The No Asshole Rule shows how these destructive characters damage their fellow human beings and undermine organisational performance."

The book shows how to keep these "jerks" out of the organisation, what to do with those already in the organisation, and how to cope with assholes in situations that you can't easily change. Sutton also asks us to be wary of developing asshole tendencies ourselves.

The book is an easy, well-paced read, both humorous and thought provoking. It covers:

What assholes do and why we know so many.
The damage done: why every workplace needs a "no asshole" rule.
How to implement the rule, enforce it, and keep it alive.

How to stop our "inner jerk" from getting out.
Tips for surviving nasty people and workplaces: when assholes reign!
The virtues of assholes.

The "no asshole" rule as a way of life.

Clearly no stranger to controversy, Sutton also proffers a healthy dose of reality regarding our own approaches to work. There's nothing wrong with being passionate about your work. Indeed, being in "flow" may require such commitment. However, what if those notions of passion and excellence are not shared by our colleagues or even by the organisations for which we work? Sutton's answer? Sometimes when you can't change the circumstances, and you're surrounded by too many assholes, maybe you need to step back.

"Passion," Sutton argues, "is an overrated virtue in organisational life, and indifference is an underrated virtue." ... "All this talk about passion, commitment, and identification with an organisation is absolutely correct if you are in a good job and are treated with dignity and respect. But it is hypocritical nonsense to the millions of people who are trapped in jobs and companies where they feel oppressed and humiliated - where their goal is to survive with their health and self-esteem in tact and provide for their families, not to do great things for a company that treats them like dirt."

It's worth buying the No Asshole Rule just for this section on developing indifference and emotional detachment. Especially if you're unhappy at work, and feel you're trapped in a hopeless work situation. If this rings true, you'll no doubt find Sutton's tips on how to cope with assholes useful too. His advice is excellent, with insights guaranteed to be useful in even the most difficult of circumstances. Sutton doesn't pull punches either. How about this for not sitting on the fence!

"Organisations that are filled with employees who don't give a damn about their jobs will suffer poor performance, but in my book, if they routinely demean employees, they get what they deserve."

The No Asshole Rule is brimming with this kind of challenge, and radical but realistic debate.

Sutton concludes The No Asshole Rule by reminding us that:

"The essence of this little book is pretty simple: we are all given only so many hours on earth. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could travel through our lives without encountering people who bring us down with their demeaning remarks and actions?

Living the No Asshole Rule.

Sutton's book lists 7 great lessons to apply if you want to make the No Asshole Rule a way of life. He reinforces a point he makes several times throughout the book: "If you want to build an asshole-free environment, you've got to start by looking in the mirror." Sutton maintains that asshole behaviour is contagious and can be picked up easily. How do you keep your "inner asshole from firing away at others?" According to Sutton, the answer is to follow "the 'da Vinci's rule' and just stay away from nasty people and places." And what is the 'da Vinci's rule'? You'll need to get the book and read the chapter on stopping the 'inner jerk' from getting out!

Bob Sutton's hope is that "this little book will resonate with and provide comfort to all of you who feel oppressed by the jerks that you work with, serve, or struggle to lead. I also hope that it will provide you with practical ideas for driving out and reforming nasty people or, when that isn't possible, help you limit the damage that these creeps do to you and to your workplace."

We think he's gone a long way to achieving that hope in this excellent book.

Read the Bob Sutton Work Matters blog, or listen to him speak for the No Asshole Rule himself:

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