Get Your Free Audiobook
HBR Guide to Office Politics
Non-member price: $21.90
Publisher's Summary
Don't let destructive drama sideline your career.
Every organization has its share of political drama: Personalities clash. Agendas compete. Turf wars erupt. But you need to work productively with your colleagues - even difficult ones - for the good of your organization and your career. How can you do that without compromising your personal values? By acknowledging that power dynamics and unwritten rules exist - and navigating them constructively.
The HBR Guide to Office Politics will help you succeed at work without being a power grabber or a corporate climber. Instead you'll cultivate a political strategy that's authentic to you. You'll learn how to:
-
Gain influence without losing your integrity
- Contend with backstabbers and bullies
- Work through tough conversations
- Manage tensions when resources are scarce
- Get your share of choice assignments
- Accept that not all conflict is bad
Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job from a source you trust. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars6
-
4 Stars4
-
3 Stars3
-
2 Stars1
-
1 Stars0
Performance
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars1
-
4 Stars4
-
3 Stars3
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Story
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars2
-
4 Stars1
-
3 Stars3
-
2 Stars1
-
1 Stars1
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 26-12-2019
Misrepresented in its content
This IS about power grabbing and corporate climbing, despite the blurb’s claims. Roughly 3/4ths of the book discusses how to make political “allies”, choosing the right ones, and siding with them because of what the relationship represents (rather than who’s actually doing what’s best for the business).
If I followed the majority of the advice in this book, I would absolutely loose my integrity. It’s idealistic to assume all humans communicate openly and rationally, yet I’m still disgusted by the political manoeuvring in this book.
1/4th of it was worthwhile - it featured direct communication, why not to be afraid of conflict, and how to peacefully and impersonally communicate through problems and constructive criticism. It has also provided me with some information regarding how to handle Feeling personality types.
I will also note this book consists of a series of examples, and analyses of what could have been done differently or worse. That was interesting. However, many different commentators contributed to this, and once the advice contradicted earlier advice (regarding whether to confront a bully or not - the first said doing nothing had cost a woman’s reputation, and later her job. The latter claimed that doing nothing was better that giving the bully fuel to continue).
It also doesn’t explain why the opinions of the people in this book are valid, such as via studies. They’re labeled as “experts”, and the opinions presented are conjecture.
I would ask for my money back, however concluded that the perspective this book gives me will help me understand the minds of those who play office politics. It’ll also help me understand how my actions or words might be misinterpreted by people looking to read into them. This is why indirect communication damages relationship.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-06-2019
average read
the content was rather lengthy and it doesn't cover a lot of nuances at work. I would find a way to get cheaper paper back version to read rather than pay $15 for audible
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. Vicki
- 22-02-2017
Puts working in an office group into perspective.
I always worked alone for someone or as self employed. This book has given me coping skills.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Juan
- 13-08-2016
Wished Audible had existed many years ago!
Tremendously relevant information necessary to understand the psyche of coworkers and bosses and that will help you successfully navigate the corporate world.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- martin67
- 01-10-2016
Bare Facts!
It's such important to understand the details behind people's actions, verses the underlying environmental dynamics in order to make a difference.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Vladislav
- 27-05-2018
useless
basically, bunch of examples and scenarios. very watered down book. do this and do that. but no strong idea or theory behind the book. could not use any of the suggestions, since none of them apply.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Gregory O'Shea
- 05-09-2019
move along, nothing to read here
this is very basic and not at all helpful in the real world. very disappointed that HBR put their name on this.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 10-08-2019
Good content and concise
Three stars because of the brevity. I picked up a few things but hard to remember everything since there are so many chapters. They’re only about 10-15 minutes each.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Mr J Phan
- 03-09-2016
learned a bit but not alot
What did you like best about HBR Guide to Office Politics? What did you like least?
There were 3-4 points I learned from this book. Basically avoidance mainly. I was disappointed to be honest. I found the book to be a bit bland and light on knowledge. I worked in large consultancies like Accenture and deployed in to Public sectors in the UK. So I am not a novice to the ladder or office politics. Which is probably why I didn't find this book helpful.
What could Harvard Business Review and Karen Dillon have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Give techniques on how improve? the review basically just outlines office mechanics. There is no real suggestions to improve it.
How could the performance have been better?
Add more practical advise, even if it was practice mindfullness to cope better in xyz. Just add more useful information on how to cope.
Did HBR Guide to Office Politics inspire you to do anything?
no
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Moosa
- 25-12-2018
A must listen to win office politics
Well narrated book, easy to follow. The examples given are very easy to relate to most working environments so it does raise awareness to overcome and deal with future politics situations. I truly enjoyed listening to ‘ what good looks like’. I think the book is certainly useful for both new recruits and also long-service professionals. Happy listening
2 people found this helpful