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Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do About It [Paperback]

Ferdinand F. Fournies
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)


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Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To and What You Can Do About It Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To and What You Can Do About It 4.2 out of 5 stars (8)
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Book Description

April 1, 1999 0071342559 978-0071342551 1
Invaluable." --SUCCESS. "In simple, straightforward language, Fournies offers practical solutions to the problems of employee performance ... [This book] should be on the desk of anyone who manages others."--ENTREPENEUR. THE TOP 10 REASONS EMPLOYEES DON'T DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO:
10. They don't know why they should do it;
9. They don't know how to do it
8. They don't know what they are supposed to do
7. They think your way will not work
6. They think their way is better
5. They think something else is more important
5. They think they are doing it
4. They are punished for doing it
3. They are rewarded for not doing it
2. It's beyond their personal limits
1. No one could do it
This book tells you how to avoid or handle each situationÑand the 6 other reasons that comprise the total list of reasons employees don't do their jobs. Universally praised and a perennial best seller, this book made The New York Times business bestseller list in early 1998--10 years after it came out! Why? Competition to attract and keep good employees is fiercer than ever. Today's employers need the no-nonsense people-management skills this book teaches. Based on real experiences of 25,000 managers surveyed by a Columbia Graduate School of Business professor, this results-oriented guide--newly updated for todayÕs changing workplace--provides proven, straightforward methods that work on real jobs, in real businesses, in the real world. This updated edition also gives you new input from 5000 additional managers, plus more help with temp workers, service industries, flex time, computers, telecommuting, stress, and safety!


Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The essential management survival tool­­with all new data from more than 5,000 managers.

The sheer common sense in this classic resource is what every generation of managers is thirsting for­­and that's one key reason the book is a New York Times Business Bestseller a full ten years after its original publication. Drawing on new findings from 5,000 managers, Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do is abundantly expanded to address such new workplace issues as flex time, retaining good employees, telecommuting, workplace stress, technology, the proliferation of service industries, increased use of temps, and violence in the workplace. The solid, down-to-earth, and easily accessible advice in this book makes it a true desk-side companion.

"Invaluable."­­Success.

"In simple, straightforward language, Fournies offers practical solutions to the problems of employee performance ... [This book] should be on the desk of anyone who manages others."­­Entrepreneur

"A practical, results-oriented guide for every VP, manager, supervisor, foreman, and small-business owner ... The practical advice provided here is applicable to all kinds of jobs at all levels ... It is an essential resource of innovative, practical ways to achieve optimum employee performance."­­Business Opportunities Journal

"Straightforward answers to a question managers have asked themselves time and time again ... Fournies's book delivers what his title promises."­­Shop Talk

"A fresh management approach to getting better results."­­Association Management

"A practical, down-to-earth book that should help managers improve employee performance."­­Communications Briefing

About the Author

Ferdinand F. Fournies, internationally recognized consultant, speaker, and professor at Columbia's Graduate School of Business is now retired.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (April 1, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0071342559
  • ISBN-13: 978-0071342551
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 43 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Kinda weak November 21, 2001
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There's probably some stuff in here that would be useful for a manager who is completely clueless, but I didn't find much that would be useful insight for someone further along than that. I gave it a few chapters, because a friend I respect recommended it, but then gave up. I guess the book is okay for what it is, but it isn't likely to make any lasting improvement in your relationship with your employees. It generally comes from a perspective that has been somewhat popular in recent years, to the detriment of business, one that says:
- Process is more important than substance.
- Management can be detached from leadership.
- Management is more about skill than about character.

Employees follow and build loyalty to leaders who lead, not administrators who manage. When you've proved yourself as a leader, when you've proved (by consistent actions over time) to your employees that you really have their best interests at heart, and when you've shown that you'll work with those who want to improve, but will deal decisively with those who poison the work environment, then amazingly enough, employees tend to start doing what they ARE supposed to do.

I'd recommend skipping this one and picking up a copy of Leadership as a Lifestyle, by Hawkins, instead.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Basics and Several Great Tips April 30, 2006
Format:Paperback
Talk about a super long title that clearly states what a book is about! When you pick up "Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do About It" by Ferdinand F. Fournies, there's no doubt what you think you are getting. The question is of course if you DO get that and how valuable the information is.

There are apparently 16 different reasons why an employee might not do what they should. These are: They don't know why, they don't know how, they don't know what, they think your way won't work, they think their way is better, they think something else is more important, there are no positive consequences, they think they ARE doing it, they are rewarded for NOT doing it, they are punished for doing it, they anticipate negative consequences, there are no negative consequences for NOT doing it, there are obstacles they can't fix, they have personal limits, they have personal problems, and the task is simply impossible. That's quite a lot of reasons for one "problem"! Just having that list can really be helpful. A manager who thinks "My employee is simply an idiot! I told him what to do!" might take a step back and realize there really IS a problem that can be fixed, once it is identified.

I realize that a lot of these items are common sense - but it's amazing how many times in the workplace that I've seen bad managers completely ignore the real problem and just yell at an employee. That rarely helps!

Now, while the basic list is good, I do have some issues with this book. The first is that the book opens telling you "Now a manager could be assaulted or killed by the employee [for not handling problems effectively]." Good God Almighty. Talk about a nasty way to sell a book - "read me or you could DIE!!!"

The book does a good job of laying out each type of problem in detail, and then giving specific solutions. You might say "they're common sense" but obviously if so many managers out there are NOT handling these situations well, they need a little kick in the behind. Maybe they're just too stressed and aren't actually thinking about the problem. Maybe this book will help give them that extra insight they need into using a good solution.

One thing that bothers me is that the book makes it seem that every problem CAN be solved by following these few easy steps. There's a small FAQ in the back that says in essence "Oh yeah, sometimes this fails and you'll have to demote or fire the person." It would have been more helpful if in each section there were the regular tips, but also "drastic steps" and then "when to give up". I suppose they want to be positive - but if they give you only a few things to try, and they aren't working, it would be good to have a progression of what to do next. To keep trying those same things becomes an exercise in futility and frustration. In fact, it's sort of funny, he says at one point that, if these tips don't work, go buy my next book to learn what to do then :)

Still, it's a good basic primer for the new manager of how to handle a variety of situations. I definitely have worked in many situations where managers did NOT know these things and the environment suffered because of it. If you feel like you already know these things, borrow the book at the library and skim through - you might pick up a tip or two. If you're a new manager, then I would suggest buying this. It's the sort of book that you read in the bathroom, going just over a single chapter, and focussing on how to handle that one specific issue. You're probably going to run into all of these issues over time, if you stay on a managerial path.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good analysis of 16 reasons for unmet expectations March 22, 1999
Format:Hardcover
Really helpful book! Fournies gives 16 reasons why employees (and maybe peers or others) fail to meet expectations. The book doesn't just give a list, though. It gives succinct insight into how to tell which is the reason in a particular case. Then, once we have the cause identified, it gives good advice on how to correct the root cause. I found it very helpful in handling failed expectations of others -- sort of Sun Tsu's *The Art of War* without the executions. <grin> I recommend this book as a tool for managers at all levels to turn frustration into solutions.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Consider this a great troubleshooting guide for addressing performance...
Some reviewers have said that this book is nothing more than common sense. Sadly, "common sense" is too often an oxymoron when it comes to addressing performance issues. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Stanley Piskorski
4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Starters
If you are beginning a business this is a nice book to read, if you have some experience already, this is not for you.
Published on January 31, 2009 by Carlos Huertas
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Start for Those New to Management
Reading Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To...and What To Do About It is just one book out of a "set" that I checked out from our local library that I am currently... Read more
Published on November 3, 2007 by Amy Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do and What To Do...
Lot's of effective hands on things you can use immediately. Great use of your time & enjoyable to read as well.
Published on August 30, 2006 by Michael A. Lefebvre
5.0 out of 5 stars A common workplace question definitively answered.
The truth is that in this book, as in others expressing simple truth, the value may be in the reminder. Read more
Published on May 2, 2006 by Hugh G. Rhine
4.0 out of 5 stars Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do...
This is a well written, easy to read, common sense guide for managers and supervisors of all levels of experience. Read more
Published on September 2, 2005 by Howard Myers
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Stuff
This is a basic book for all new managers. It tell you about all the things they don't teach you in school and gives you concrete action plans to take away the negative impact of... Read more
Published on August 29, 2005 by Thomas A. Blinn
3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat simplistic, but still decent.
I work as a Customer Care supervisor at a Call Center. I purchased this book, along with quite a few other management books, in an effort to immediately and consistently improve... Read more
Published on April 5, 2001 by Noa ImiLoa
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for new as well as seasoned supervisors.
Have used this text in five different management workshops. Sales and product support supervisors like the practical guidelines to assist them remove obstacles standing in the way... Read more
Published on June 2, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars A no-nonsense guide to managing humanely.
A truly great (and succinct) book that explains the *real* reasons employees don't do what they are supposed to do. Read more
Published on November 5, 1998
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