Enlightened Office Politics [Paperback]

Michael S. Dobson (Author), Deborah Singer Dobson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814470653 | ISBN-13: 978-0814470657 | Publication Date: July 1, 2006 | Edition: 1st

All too often, Machiavellian managers ruthlessly use office politics to get what they want . . . and they make good employees feel it's bad to be political. But it doesn't have to be that way!

Enlightened Office Politics takes a positive look at the political side of the workplace, explaining why office politics are inevitable, emphasizing their importance, and showing how to play them -- and win -- in an ethical, principled manner. Readers will learn how to:

Overcome negative attitudes toward office politics and view them as a force for good -- Determine whether a coworker is friend or foe -- Turn foes into friends -- Discover what motivates others -- Develop their own political skills and use them in appropriate, powerful ways -- Plan and execute an effective "political campaign" -- and more.

In the world of office politics, it's play or be played. Enlightened Office Politics proves it's possible to play to win -- and still keep a clear conscience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Readers find positive reasons to play the office politics game and learn why it’s in their best interest to do so if they want the hard, honest work they do to be properly appreciated and recognized.”

--Bank Teller's Report

“Readers are likely to take away several lessons from the book, among them the idea that having a good relationship and good relationship skills are crucial.”

--Chicago Tribune

“This powerful book leads you to understand the battlefield, to analyze the other players and to get and use power.”

--Orlando Sentinel

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael S. Dobson is an author, consultant, and popular seminar leader in communications, project management, and personal success. Deborah S. Dobson is vice president of human resources at GATX Terminals in Chicago.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st edition (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814470653
• ISBN-13: 978-0814470657
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,293,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CAREER SURVIVAL TIPS!, July 3, 2001

By 

Dorothy Weiss (ORLANDO, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enlightened Office Politics (Paperback)

What are the forces in the workplace that can make or break your career? How can one deal effectively with situations ranging from water-cooler chats to conferences in your boss' office? How can one navigate more smoothly office politics and power plays? What is the difference between lying and spin-doctoring? These are some of the questions authors Michael and Deborah Dobson attempt to answer in this book which is loaded with career survival tips. Here are a few of their postulates: "Deal with the way things are, not the way you think they ought to be"; "Live your principles and life, not everyone else's"; "Be honest, or be quiet"; "Respect those who oppose you".Read the book, and step more confidently over those subtle and not so subtle traps in the corporate battle arena. The book illustrates much of what you may encounter, and is a helpful tool in preparing you for those experiences. After reading this book, continue your enlightenment with, "How To Master Change in Your Life" by Mary Carroll Moore. Both books contain practical and timely information.

3.0 out of 5 stars Comment, April 18, 2009

By 

T. Gerling "Midori" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enlightened Office Politics (Paperback)

The book arrived three weeks after paling an order. Information is useful, there are exercises for interested reader to identify his/her goal, but reading is a bit boring. Definitely too few examples from real life. It is like reading a PhD thesis...

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read and Well Written. A Must for recent college, June 19, 2005

By 

CmH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enlightened Office Politics (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. The strategies and concepts can easily be applied to any workplace environment since corporate politics exist everywhere in any business and these traits are not learned in a classroom setting. They must be practiced and perfected over time and this book will assist you in developing your corporate political traits.