EP. 17: SURVIVING ASSHOLES: ROBERT SUTTON ON OUTWITTING THE JERKS IN YOUR LIFE

“The problem of disrespectful, demeaning, and downright mean-spirited behavior is worse than ever” - Robert SuttonI'm sure everybody listening to this podcast has dealt with or is currently dealing with, a jerk, and this is most likely some work situation as you can't always choose who you work with and often due to the power position - it's a boss. But it could be someone you have to live with or interact with family friend friend of a friend whatever. If you have anyone in your life like that who is driving you crazy I will listen to this podcast and take notes because it's gold.

My guest in this podcast is Robert Sutton, Professor of Management Science and Engineering and Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford and a New York Times and Wall St journal best selling author.Robert studies organizational change, leadership, innovation, and workplace dynamics and As it relates to our conversation today, Robert's new book was just released, The Asshole Survival Guide: How to Deal With People Who Treat You Like Dirt Since the first book "No Asshole Rule", which probably put assholes on the map, became a bestseller, Robert said he was constantly asked about strategies to deal with assholes. Hence, the book. On the podcast Robert offers up some interesting research and psychological theory explaining a asshole behavior and it's detrimental impact on people but more importantly he offers some really good tactics to manage them.Here is some of what you'll learn from the podcast. 

1) The difference between sporadic asshole and true asshole

Context vs personality.2) Why you don't have to be an asshole to succeed

The Steve Jobs fallacy 3) How to make sure you don't contribute to the pool

The "Arse" test and feedback. 4) Creating a survival plan based on goalsif you're deal with somebody who's leaving you feeling demeaned and de-energized and disrespected that you've got to figure out what your survival plan is.5) Physical and emotional strategies and techniques

When to leave and when to stay. 

The "clinician" reframe. 

Temporal distancing. 6) Forgiveness as a strategy 

First, do no more harm to yourself. 7) Teaching others how to treat you. This is an important topic and it's life changing stuff in my opinion. There are people dreading getting up in the morning to head to work some go home from work crying. Some will get a work email tonight that will rob them of sleep.

Life is too short.  Learn the skills needed to manage the assholes in your life.