Wait, I'm Working With Who?!?

February 15, 2021
Best-selling author Economy (Wait, I'm the Boss?, 2020) uses the latest research to teach readers how to deal with jerks at work and elsewhere, by focusing on emotion, not logic, to navigate interpersonal relationships. He sets the tone by talking about the negative impact of such jerks. First, he provides a guide to 16 types of jerks at work, including stereotypes like the lazy one, the narcissist, and the competitor. Each persona lists typical qualities, questions, a case study, and the impact the type has on the workplace. Then, he offers eight strategies for dealing with jerks, with a chapter dedicated to each strategy. Economy gives practical tips, such as four ways to regulate your emotions when someone is pushing your buttons, how to label what is happening, and how to learn to neutralize conflict. He encourages readers to use this as a field guide to refer to as needed in order to manage situations as they arise. This readable, practical book will have wide appeal. Anyone who has held a job, is entering the workforce, or has challenges with friends or family members will find this book informative, helpful, and easy to read and use.

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April 1, 2021

This book deals with the impacts of bad bosses and toxic coworkers, and ways to neutralize these negative people. The author (Managing for Dummies) describes case studies of on-the-job negativity caused by bosses and coworkers, and discusses personality types that can cause stress: the Pessimist, the Lazy One, the Envier, the Micromanager, the Intimidator, the Competitor, the Credit Thief, the Narcissist, the Gossiper, the Complainer, the Nitpicker, the Malicious One, the Backstabber, the Non-Responder, the Absent One, and the Chatter. For each of these personality types the author describes their characteristics, offers a case study as an example of how they behave in the workplace, discusses their impact, and includes a quiz that readers can use to identify the type. The strategies Economy offers for dealing with these types include disconnecting from emotions; refusing to play their game; learning how to neutralize conflict; challenging bad behavior; not sweating the small stuff; learning from negative examples; and hiring slow, firing fast. The author includes bibliographical notes for further reading. VERDICT A very practical book. Highly recommended for anyone in the workforce, as well as business students who are studying management techniques and organizational behavior.--Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Queens Village, NY

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