Bob Sutton, a Stanford professor and author of 'The No Asshole Rule,' delves into the intricacies of dealing with difficult personalities. He defines what makes someone a jerk and the significant impact they have in workplaces. Sutton shares strategies on managing these toxic individuals, including documentation and the strategic use of anger. Surprisingly, he discusses how being a jerk can sometimes yield short-term gains in leadership. The conversation wraps up with insights on constructing a jerk-free workplace culture.
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Defining Jerks
A jerk is someone who leaves others feeling demeaned, disrespected, or de-energized.
There are two types of jerks: certified jerks, who consistently behave this way, and temporary jerks, who exhibit the behavior situationally.
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Diagnosing Jerks
Be slow to label someone a jerk, as it could be a misinterpretation.
Consider if their behavior is unusual or if others share the same experience.
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Causes of Jerkiness
Factors like constant time pressure, competition, sleep deprivation, and negative emotions can contribute to jerky behavior.
Jerkiness can be contagious, especially in environments where it's prevalent.
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Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
Robert Sutton
In this book, Robert I. Sutton discusses the destructive impact of 'assholes' in the workplace, providing strategies for identifying and eliminating negative influences. He introduces the concept of the 'Total Cost of Assholes' (TCA) and offers practical advice on how to build a more civilized and productive work environment. The book includes case studies from various organizations and provides a self-diagnostic test to help readers identify and manage their own behavior. Sutton also explores the difference between 'temporary' and 'certified' assholes and how to deal with each type effectively.
There are some people in life who are more than unpleasant, more than annoying. They're real, genuine a**holes.
My guest today has written the preeminent field guides to identifying, dealing with, and avoiding all of life's jerks, bullies, tyrants, and trolls: The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide. His name is Bob Sutton, he's a Stanford professor of organization and management, and we begin our conversation together with how Bob defines what makes an a-hole an a-hole, what causes their jerkiness, and the costs of having such disagreeable people as part of an organization. We then get into the circumstances of when being a jerk yourself can actually be advantageous. We then turn to how to deal with the jerks in your own life, including distancing yourself from them, deciding you're going to be better than them, and imagining you're a jerk collector encountering a new species of jerk. Bob explains smart ways to fight back against jerks, and gets into the wisdom of documenting their jerkiness, why it's occasionally helpful to take an aggressive stand, and how even Steve Jobs learned how to be less of an a-hole. We end our conversation with how to build a jerk-free workplace.
The Art of Manliness 
