Managing Workplace Negativity [Hardcover]

Gary S. Topchik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

"The symptoms: increased customer complaints, high turnover, low quality of work, increased absences, loss of morale and motivation, lack of creativity and innovation, loss of loyalty to the organization. The diagnosis: workplace negativity. The cure: Managing Workplace Negativity. Workplace negativity may seem like an intangible problem--but it has very tangible consequences for the companies it afflicts. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that U.S. companies lose $3 billion a year to the effects of negative attitudes and behaviors at work. Managing Workplace Negativity gives managers, team leaders, trainers, and other human resources professionals much-needed help in treating the negativity bug. It will help readers: * Identify the 14 types of negative individuals, from the "not-my-jobber" to the "rumor monger" * Confront their own negativity * Recognize negativity "trigger points" * Overcome entrenched, ongoing negativity * Deal with group or company-wide negativity problems * Create a positive environment that enhances morale and productivity."

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

"The symptoms: increased customer complaints, high turnover, low quality of work, increased absences, loss of morale and motivation, lack of creativity and innovation, loss of loyalty to the organization.

The diagnosis: workplace negativity.

The cure: Managing Workplace Negativity.

Workplace negativity may seem like an intangible problem--but it has very tangible consequences for the companies it afflicts. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that U.S. companies lose $3 billion a year to the effects of negative attitudes and behaviors at work.

Managing Workplace Negativity gives managers, team leaders, trainers, and other human resources professionals much-needed help in treating the negativity bug. It will help readers:

* Identify the 14 types of negative individuals, from the ""not-my-jobber"" to the ""rumor monger""

* Confront their own negativity

* Recognize negativity ""trigger points""

* Overcome entrenched, ongoing negativity

* Deal with group or company-wide negativity problems

* Create a positive environment that enhances morale and productivity."

About the Author

Gary S. Topchik (Los Angeles, CA) is the managing partner of SilverStar Enterprises Inc., a consulting firm specializing in management development, organizational change, team building, and executive coaching.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 193 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814405827
• ISBN-13: 978-0814405826
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hands-On, Real World Guide for Managers, March 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Managing Workplace Negativity (Hardcover)

Managing Workplace Negativity is a practical, no-nonsense guide for managers in all industries. The book provides case studies and clearcut strategies for managers coping with a variety of counterproductive behaviors in others. Topchik distinguishes among individuals who use defeatist behavior habitually, those who use it to score specific points, and those who reflect valid organizational morale issues. Hands-on approaches are presented to the complex, ambiguous issues of trust, change and organizational culture. I highly recommend this excellent resource for anyone seeking concrete answers to this difficult subject.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the book I needed!, April 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Managing Workplace Negativity (Hardcover)

Just the book I've been waiting for! It helped me to clear the air and improve relations between colleagues in my own department. The results were so dramatic that the book is now making the rounds among department heads in my company. Mr. Topchik's strategies enabled me to confront longstanding negativity on the part of several subordinates - with outstanding results, including improved morale and productivity . It even enabled me to recognize some of my own counterproductive behavior. I found the book intelligent, well-written, practical and chockfull of tools to improve workplace attitudes. I highly recommend this book to virtually everyone in the workplace.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Egad!, January 15, 2002

By 

F. A. Kronyak "frankthek" (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing Workplace Negativity (Hardcover)

In my opinion, anyone with such a poor mastery of the English language has no business writing a book:

"She'll do anything you ask them to. But she will, in a self-deprecating way, complain about her workload, difficult employees, and customers or bosses. She often has an unpleasant personal lives and sublimates her unhappiness by trying to make work be the answer. What brings out her negativity is the feeling that their great efforts are going underappreciated."

To add insult to injury, the recommended way of dealing with the above character flaw is as follows:

"You must give this person constant positive feedback on how much you appreciate her contributions and hard work. She especially likes recognition in front of colleagues and teammates. If you really want them [sic] to remain positive, periodically send them email in which you praise their commitment (and be sure to cc the boss)."

Kinda like saying that the way to deal with a spoiled child is to give him/her everything he/she wants.

The one star is for the chuckles.