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Title: The Secret Handshake: Mastering the Politics of the Business Inner Circle by Kathleen Kelly Reardon Ph.D. ISBN: 0-385-49527-7 Publisher: Doubleday Books Pub. Date: 26 December, 2000 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (19 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: best I've ever read, by far!
Comment: I'm half way through reading this book, and am surprised by the diversity of reviews and ratings. This is a "foundation of basics" type of book, that provides a workable framework to then enhance one's skill set. It's fast, short reading, and, unlike most business books, worthy of being reread.
I think highly of this book because I'm one of the politically challenged type of person--no idea what's going on. One of these guys walking around the world, wondering why everyone else is doing the funny things they're doing. And I think it takes someone who is from outside the social-realities world to really appreciate this book.
This isn't Plato or Machiavelli that describe the full implications of power, but this is the best I've seen on how to get power. Most of the popular how-to-get-power books describe common-day tips and anecodotes. This book though, gives a set of simple principles, hence a framework, that one can use to assess a situation and oneself to then deploy how to get and use power. As such, I'd say that it's a better book on how to get power than (dare I) Machiavelli's the Prince, which claims to teach about power, but doesn't really say much on how, in my opinion.
I find it's actually very difficult to "see properly" without a framework. Most people learn about power naturally. I had to read this book, before I could see. Perhaps that explains the wide range of opinions here--some reviewers who understand power think this book is obvious and silly. Others, like me, believe it's simply the best set of principles to use to start learning about power.
A truly fast reading book--I've learned more that's valuable about business, politics, and social relationships in the estimated 3 hours it'll take me to read this book than I've learned about anything in semester long textbooks.
Rating: 5
Summary: Useful information on how the executive world works
Comment: Although I dislike politics intensely and have no desire to climb the corporate ladder (even if I thought I were capable of it), I've always been curious about why management does some of the things they do. This book was interesting and answered many of my questions, so I considered it a worthwhile read.
A previous reviewer indicated that Kelly is attempting to justify / apologize for the politics that dominate so many organizations, and I don't think that's true. As I mentioned, I dislike politics a great deal, but I also acknowledge the fact that they are real and aren't going away, and I believe that's the premise of this title. Since politics are a fact of life, a book such as this that at least helps me understand why things happen is a good thing.
Rating: 5
Summary: Good Book. Nasty Subject
Comment: I've noticed a wide variation of reviews, with most of the negative reviewers unable to separate the book and the subject. Office politics IS a distasteful activity...it wastes time and prevents many skilled workers from getting the rewards they deserve.
But--as the author herself notes, it is here to stay, so either arm yourself or be robbed.
I have read a number of office politics/OB books. What sets Reardon's book apart from the others is the following:
--Self-evaluation tests...of your workplace and your personal style. Knowing yourself is the first step to optomizing yourself.
--Relevant anecdotes...Reardon is an academic, and academic politics is really the second worst out there (the military is the worst). Furthermore, her experience as a consultant means she sees more politics in a year than most of us will see in a career.
--She covers all aspects of the game. When to fight, when to give in, how to make up, how to build bridges, how to recognize barriers.
This is a good overview of a nasty, brutish subject. Was it useful? Ask me in five years, when I'll have either made it or not.
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Title: WINNING OFFICE POLITICS: DUBRINS GD FOR 90S by Andrew J. DuBrin ISBN: 0139649581 Publisher: Prentice Hall Art Pub. Date: 03 July, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Peoplesmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence by Mel, Ph.D. Silberman, Freda, Ph.D. Hansburg ISBN: 1576750914 Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers Pub. Date: 01 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind the Scenes by Joel R. Deluca ISBN: 0966763602 Publisher: Evergreen Business Group Pub. Date: June, 1999 List Price(USD): $28.50 |
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Title: 100+ Tactics for Office Politics (Business Success Series) by Casey Fitts Hawley, Casey Hawley ISBN: 0764116452 Publisher: Barron's Educational Series Pub. Date: 01 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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Title: Don't Sabotage Your Success! Make Office Politics Work by Karen Ginsburg Wood ISBN: 0970214308 Publisher: Enlightened Concepts Pub. Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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