Customer Reviews

Cain and Abel at Work: How to Overcome Office Politics and the People Who Stand Between You and Success

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since my first job at a small startup company I've been looking for a book like this. At my first job there was a Cain. While he was not directly responsible for this company going out of business, he certainly contributed to its demise. All the other books that I've read since then stressed various things: better communication techniques; handling difficult personalities, promoting one self, using humor to get a point across, and the like. The problem with these books is they all assume that the problem person is well intentioned -- and this is the major flaw in these other books. This book is the first self help book I've ever come across that was willing to admit that unscrupulous people exist.

Lange and Domke's book addresses the problem of how to recognize a Cain. This characterization is important to us Able's, but the downside is that this book can be used as a guide for Cain's-in-training (alas, "it is a poor sword that does not cut both ways"). Sadly, the usefulness of this book to Able's is directly proportional to how useful it is to Cain's-in-training at becoming better Cain's.

The only thing I don't like is that in a lot of the examples, the Able's are forced to leave the company by the Cain's. Because of these examples, I can see the necessity of recommending that Able's 1) "don't corner a Cain" 2) avoid interacting with a Cain (the authors don't say this specifically, but it comes across in the examples and the remedies). I would have preferred more direct methods for dealing with a Cain instead of hoping that all managers read this book and additionally hoping that it is not to the manager's benefit to keep a Cain around. The authors take the high road in dealing with Cain's. I suppose direct methods would involve becoming Cain-like myself and I'd rather eat glass shards than become a Cain. Maybe somebody can come out with a book describing how Able's can triumph over Cain's instead of merely existing in their shadows.

Regardless, this is an excellent book. And when it comes out in paperback, I plan on buying a half dozen copies and giving them to every manager I know.

Three thumbs up; I'm counting one of my big toes as a thumb because I'm head over heels in love with this book. This book helped me figure out a tricky work situation. Before "Cain and Abel at Work," I didn't understand what the heck was happening, but now I've made a plan to resolve my boss/co-worker problem!! The book is savvy and shrewd, and very timely given the economic slowdown. Cut-throat Cains will be using the slowdown as an excuse to get rid of anyone not loyal to them personally; regardless of what's good for the company. I'd recommend this book to anyone in competition with potentially ruthless rivals.

This book spends the first 160 pages helping you identify the "evil" Cains and recognize their tactics...then just one chapter helping you "win over" Cains without stooping to their level. I found "The Secret Handshake" by Kathleen Kelly Reardon much more useful. Her book covers the basics "Cain and Abel" does (though much quicker!) and features quizzes to understand your political style (and your co-workers and executive management's too) as well as your company's overall style - and most importantly how to stretch your style at times to meet certain needs. You'll also learn how to handle recognition, patronizing behavior, separating offense from insult, influence cultivating, how to be gracefully right or wrong and much more - issues "Cain & Abel" doesn't address. "The Secret Handshake" advice applies to anyone wanting to improve productivity by learning the tools and understanding the options for making the politics involved in most any project work for you. Although "Cain and Abel" is an easy-to-read, well-written book, there's just nothing revolutionary about it and it gives so few ideas about how to succeed in spite of a political environment.

Do you like to try hard when you go to work? Do you want every project be better than the last? Do you feel good about yourself if you can make things easier or smoother for someone else? All without really wanting anything in return but maybe a smile and a wave?
Is someone lying to, or about you, undermining you, or taking credit for your efforts, all to improve their perceived lot in the company? Is this person taking away your desire to do your best or go the extra mile?
If you can answer yes to _any_ of these questions you owe it to yourself to read this book. It doesn't offer much in the way to get around the situation, but knowing what your up against can help you pick a course before you become roadkill.

Whatever you do after reading this incredibly insightful book, DO NOT run to the Cains in your life to tell them about it. Don't let them know that you're onto them! Just protect yourself with the teachings of this book. Make sure you are prepared for those tough situations - you'll even have fun secretly catching your coworkers doing some of the things these authors talk about. What a fun and informative read!

This book makes me think of that old phrase, "just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you." If you read Cain and Abel at work, while you're at work you'll suddenly find yourself eyeing those around you with suspicion. Why? Because the phenomenon that it describes and the manner in which it is told is so utterly convincing that you'll be forced to admit that this kind of backstabbing and groping for power is, and always has been, going on right behind your back. Truly eye-opening. Beware.

I found this book to be useful in explaining why so often the people who get ahead in the workplace aren't the hard workers but the connivers and the maneuverers. This book helps the hard workers recognize a Cain at work, and fight back without resorting to Cain's tactics. An interesting premise that is of real practical use.

I found this book not only useful, but a wonderful read. It is insightful, clever, and extremely well-written. I suspect everyone will be able to identify with its central theme, i.e., that certain people succeed in life, often at the expense of others, because they are masters of office politics (in the worst sense of the word). The book tells us how to recognize these people and the tactics they use to promote themselves and, often, to harm others. It also gives the reader useful information about how to deal with these "Cains." There are a lot of case studies included -- both fascinating and instructive. These case studies are based on actual incidents and make the book's central idea both concrete and understandable to the average person. Of all the self-help business and other such books I've read, this is one of the very best. Can't recommend it too highly.

The book was received in the condition described and in a timely manner. Good service.

This book just tell you that there are some nasty people around but provide very little insight on how those people should be dealt with.