These books both showed up in my mail this week because both authors are partnering with us to promote From Bud to Boss, launching February 15.
Because of our relationship, they moved to the top of my reading stack. Because they are good, I am sharing them with you.
Acting Up Brings Everyone Down: The Impacts of Childish Behavior in the Workplace by Nick McCormick
I hesitate to call this book cute, even though it is, because calling it that would mask its value. I’ve often said adults are little kids in bigger bodies. Nick takes this idea and compares certain unhealthy and unhappy workplace behavior to the behaviors of children. This makes it fun, and pointedly profound.
At the end of each brief chapter he gives do’s and don’ts to avoid or reduce these behaviors. These simple do’s and don’ts are repeated in full lists in the Appendix. The whole book can be read in a very short time (only about 90 easy reading pages), but the lessons will last far longer.
I highly recommend this gem!
Just Ask Leadership: Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions by Gary B. Cohen
This book’s message is best described in the first two short paragraphs of the introduction:
“Would you rather be asked for your input or told what to do?
Good questions generate thought, focus and action from the listener. They also convey respect. Maybe that’s why 95% of leaders prefer to be asked questions rather than be told what to do. And yet, according to a survey I conducted, these same leaders give instructions 58% of the time rather than asking coworkers for their input!”
From this powerful and convicting beginning Gary uses a unique approach to help his readers become better question askers. He takes five key roles of leaders and explores them in a chapter:
- Improve vision
- Ensure accountability
- Build unity and cooperation
- Create better decisions
- Motivate to action
Then he opens each section with a list of great questions, and the chapter follows with comments, stories and ideas related to each question.
This book uncovers an important leadership skill – that of asking questions. And it uses questions to do it.
I love the topic and the approach, and I think you will benefit from the book.
Good one on Childish behavior, even one talks about work place, ethics etc but very few talk about the Impact of childish behavior.
Does the author bring in adolescent behavior, or mainly focus on childish? My question is what criteria he uses to differentiate the age groups — perhaps he takes a deeper dive into these areas in the book.
Angie – He talks about them in a more generic way.. The book is a quick read and doesn’t take time to differentiate age groups really. His examples of “childish” behavior, you will see in lots of “adults” which is part of the point after all.!
I hope that helps!
Kevin 🙂
I’m going to have to put the first book on my reading list, right after Bud to Boss, of course. It mirrors my own observation over the years. Almost every organization has a small minority the insist on acting like spoiled children and making life more difficult for the average coworker. I look forward to using the tips from this book.
With apologies to Nick, I like the order you selected.
Kevin 🙂
New books are fun.
But does anyone ever ground their management in some of the tried-and-true, well established classics of the past? Douglas MacGregor? Chris Agyris? Frederick Herzberg?
Ed – I agree that books by these guys should be on a leadership student’s list. Thanks for the comment!
Kevin 🙂