12 Truths about Surviving in the Office [Paperback]

Karen Randall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

Offers a series of principles for getting ahead in today's office environment while giving explanations as to why the old adage of working hard and having talent in order to move up are simply myths and no longer apply to the worker of today. Original."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Twelve Truths About Surviving and Succeeding in the Office, by Karen Randall, is a blunt and irreverent look at the reality of thriving in today's workplace. From the outset, Randall notes her book is aimed at people toiling in the most common type (unfortunately) of modern office: "those that run on pathology, jealousy, anger, and nastiness." She then offers a detailed blueprint--sometimes funny, sometimes painful--of ways to navigate these treacherous corporate waters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425156214
• ISBN-13: 978-0425156216
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,190,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to the reality of the working world, November 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 12 Truths about Surviving in the Office (Paperback)

Without actually realizing it, I have, for the last few years, followed many of the rules of this book, and with great success. I can trace many of my failures and problems with work to *not* following these rules which I know to be true. Some of the primary ones: Do *not* get emotionally involved with your job. Do *not* get too involved with your co-workers, because when you start to like them too much, you will start to get involved with *their* work problems which will do nothing but cause you trouble. The only person who really has to like you is your boss, or the person who actually makes all the real decisions. Always act like a "team player" (it is totally true, from what I have observed, that all owners/managers like to live in some hallucination that their employes are one happy team going for the same goal) while actually watching out for yourself and keeping emotionally detached. These are not necessarily palatable realities to most people but they *are* realities. If you have ever had the experience of working hard and really trying in a job and it has not gotten you anywhere, or you have even gotten fired, this book could be an invaluable asset in turning your working life around.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of fun AND good advice, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 12 Truths about Surviving in the Office (Paperback)

This book is truly helpful -- I love the examples, since many of them seemed to come right from my own office. A lot of the examples made me uncomfortable because they hit close to home -- but I think that's what a good book is supposed to do. Also, it's quick to read and doesn't have a lot of management-speak that other books on this subject have -- so it makes finding your problem and the solution fast. Well worth the price.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something funny that is also highly useful!!, February 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 12 Truths about Surviving in the Office (Paperback)

This book had me howling with laughter at its trivial tales of office back-stabbing and how to deal with a variety of nasty colleagues. We all have them! The author offers some fine principles to live by for those of us who must be subjected to the capitalist life-plan of 9 to 5! A must to help us all keep our wits and sanity intact!