No A**holes Rule

by Michael Holland     

I’ve become intrigued with a book by Robert Sutton titled The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t which came out in paperback in September 2010.  The premise of the book is that organizations bear a huge cost due to the behaviors and impacts of less scrupulous and irritating coworkers and leaders.

Naturally, we all think of ourselves as the good guys/gals in the organization.  As such, we are part of the “us” group and not one of “them.”  But the real question would be how others perceive our behaviors and intentions.

Here’s a list of Bob’s Dirty Dozen Common Everyday Actions That A**holes Use.

1. Personal insults
2. Invading one’s “personal territory”
3. Uninvited physical contact
4. Threats and intimidation, both verbal and nonverbal
5. “Sarcastic jokes” and “teasing” used as insult delivery systems
6. Withering email flames
7. Status slaps intended to humiliate their victims
8. Public shaming or “status degradation” rituals
9. Rude interruptions
10. Two-faced attacks
11. Dirty looks
12. Treating people as if they are invisible

It might be worth your time to take a read through Bob’s book and perform a bit of soul searching.  Then try seeking some input from those with whom you interact.