Help! I'm Surrounded by Idiots - A Workplace Survival Guide

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Nonfiction
Author:	Tom E. Jones

After reading this book, though it is a good guidance book, but idiots are always idiots and nothing can be changed.

For my case, I don't really required to work in a team, thus chapter 8 really applies to my case. That day I found out that I was not being "appreciated" for the job I had done which my boss, together with the big boss had promised me in the big boss room, I felt being "fooled" by them and I just got so frustrated that I sent him an email (as not in town) telling him that those promises that he and the big boss had told me inside the room were all BS.

Introduction Don’t Blame Me, I Just Work Here
Chapter 1 What Do They Want From You?
Chapter 2 When You Know It, You Won’t Blow It
Chapter 3 Putting Dirty Ernie’s Out Of Business
Chapter 4 If It’s Not Your Problem, Whose Is It?
Chapter 5 Teamwork – Some Assembly Required
Chapter 6 Tell Them What They Need To Hear
Chapter 7 Don’t Move My Cheese
Chapter 8 I Can’t Believe I’m Working For That Idiot

Extract the common conditions that promote idiot-like behaviors from the book:

Condition 1 – Unstable Relationships
Relationships are based on how well people get along with each other rather than on the unique skills and experiences each person brings to the job assignment. There is no appreciation for the need to create common goals that pull people together.

Condition 2 – Dispirited Workers
It is considered unacceptable behavior to challenge one’s co-workers or supervisors – even when it is obvious that they are acting inappropriately, could do the job better, might use fewer resources, or could avoid mistakes if made aware of their shortcomings.

Condition 3 – Information Hoarding
Fearful of bringing up potentially troublesome issues in front of their leaders, followers gather privately to complain about their jobs and to poke fun at those witless wonders who run the place

Condition 4 – Minimal Expectations
Problems that easily could be fixed when they occur are left to float to the top or sink to the bottom. No one seems to care if the job gets done right or if the customer is satisfied

Condition 5 – Unresponsive Cliques
Leaders have unrealistic expectations of what it takes to form people into the teams and soon discover that the modern work force rejects teamwork, preferring instead to join cliques.

Condition 6 – Unreliable Communications
Mistakes and misunderstandings, caused by a general inability to figure out what information is needed, where and how to transmit bad news to the higher-ups, create a major source of distrust.

Condition 7 – Change Resistance
People fear change. They are really afraid of it, not because they don’t agree with or see the need for it, but because they’re usually left in the dark until the change is made.

Condition 8 – Management Mistrust
Instead of providing inspirational, future-focused leadership, managers make self-serving, short-term decisions and order quick fixes that only confuse, frustrate, and discourage the troops.