Weirdos in the Workplace: The New Normal--Thriving in the Age of the Individual (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A WEIRDO IS ANYONE NOT LIKE YOU?..." (more)
Key Phrases: natural weirdness, worth doing something, high performers, Age of the Individual, Behavioral Change Map, Organization Man (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Consultant Putzier begins his foray into the work world of high performers with "There is always a talent shortage." His point? That corporations today must accept the so-called weirdos for their contributions, after distinguishing whether they're truly adding value or simply are annoying and irritating. The tools he uses to measure his contention include behavioral and organizational change maps and step-by-step Venn diagrams with a path led by answers to specific questions. Before explaining the techniques, though, he spends good space describing and analyzing 32 different kinds of weirdos, from Circadian Charlie to System Tester Sam. He also delves into the emotional and mental composition of high performers, from their need for workplace flexibility and new technology to their responses to out-of-the-ordinary incentives and to risk and bureaucracy. The bottom line is his fervent belief that, without a good understanding and toleration of the weirdos (aka Albert Einstein, among others), this planet will be a much less productive and innovative place in which to work and live. Barbara Jacobs
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Product Description

"The author has hit on something here; particularly the fact that it is high time we quit thinking that treating everyone the same is somehow fair. Like it or not, the realities uncovered in this book are just that...real! And if you plan to be a significant player in the workplace of the future, I suggest you take them seriously, because your success depends on it. As John says, 'As goes the world, so goes the workplace.'" --Richard Irwin, President and CEO, IntegraCare Corporation"John captures a refreshing, winning formula in a practical, simple context to leverage weirdness into creativity and innovation, the core of sustainable competitive advantage and success. Rejoice in and celebrate our weirdos!" --James E. Hoffman, Jr., President, Catalyst Consultants, LLC, and the CEO Forum of Pittsburgh"To hear John Putzier tell it, there are so many 'weirdos in the workplace' that you're almost weird if you're...not. But if you're a manager, don't let how weird someone is distract you from what really matters--how well they're performing. Here's help for jumping to the right conclusions about people."--Maureen Anderson, Host, "The Career Clinic(R)" radio program"This book gives a dose of medicine to cure the 'paradigm bug' that plagues most of us in the business world. The author takes complex situations and concepts and boils them down to their bare essence. I just wish I could have him by my side when they happen to me! I guess having this book is the next best thing." --Mark A. Treat, Client Services Organization Development, Acxiom Corporation, CMTII Group"Putzier has nailed the American paradox: the tension between individuality and the need for organized group effort. His decision-making and problem-solving tools help to resolve this classic cultural conflict: the value of 'weird' thinking, diversity, and individuality pushing the bounds of what is normal, versus the utility of social norms in groups. His book is a primer for designing organizations, departments, or teams to maximize off-center behavior. This balance, already a rare one, will increase in importance as work becomes delocalized, cross-disciplinary, and global. This book provides basic knowledge for any company committed to innovation or excellence--or just competitive advantage." --Margaret J. King, Ph.D., Director, The Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis, American Creativity AssociationSurviving and Thriving in the Age of the Individual One employee always wears the same outfit to work, another talks to herself all day, another moonlights as a stripper, another has fierce body odor, and still another adorns his cubicle with hateful messages about his boss. As a manager, what should you do about such behavior? The best answers aren't obvious! Your most innovative and productive people are often your strangest, and while weirdness can be rooted in brilliance, it can also be a real annoyance that serves no purpose. Like it or not, as modern culture embraces the individual, weirdos--anyone different from you!--become more commonplace. In Weirdos in the Workplace, top human resources consultant John Putzier explains how managers can harness the natural weirdness often found in high performers at every level, while curbing behavior that's disruptive. Putzier presents 32 fascinating, real-world case studies to illustrate the legal, human resources, and business ramifications of unusual behavior in the workplace, and which solutions are most effective.This book explains how to *Manage unconventional people by understanding why they behave as they do, and what to do about it *Migrate toward a high-performing organization built around the individual, and foster an environment that attracts, motivates, and retains the best and brightest *Tap your own natural weirdness and find your niche by integrating your abilities, interests, and the market Weirdos in the Workplace is for every manager, human resources professional, or coworker who deals with unorthodox employees and their behaviors. This book also helps you maximize your performance and value by recognizing your own inner weirdo.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: FT Press (August 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131478990
• ISBN-13: 978-0131478992
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #591,887 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The weirdo's manifesto..., December 17, 2004

By	Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

So, what do you do when you're on a five hour red-eye flight and can't sleep? If you're me, you end up reading. And this flight was spent reading Weirdos in the Workplace - The New Normal... Thriving In The Age Of The Individual by John Putzier (FT-Prentice Hall). This is an interesting read on how to effective manage "weirdo" talent in today's workplace.

Chapter List: How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?; Individuality from Soup to Nuts; What's IN with High Performers?; Tools and Techniques to Change Others, Organizations, and Yourself; Conclusions and Universal Truths; About the Author; Weirdisms; Index

Putzier's premise is that "as society goes, so goes the workplace". Today's society values the individual, and the highly talented individual is allowed to be as "weird" as they want because the value they deliver is needed. In the workplace, these people can contribute greatly to the organization, but they challenge the "normal" methods of management which have worked in the past. This book does a great job of explaining the traits that make up the "weird" individual, and how those traits need to be managed. With a little foresight and understanding, today's manager can effectively lead a department of these people and look like a miracle worker. Putzier considers himself a weirdo also, and his writing style is irreverent and fun to read.

If you think you might be a "weirdo", you need to read this to understand how the workplace is changing. And if you manage a group of "weirdos", you absolutely need to read this in order to maintain your sanity.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is my new bible, August 29, 2004

By	WynDev - See all my reviews

This book is a must read for anyone who has lived through being a high performer at work and been shafted at raise time for not being a "team player". Any HR manager, anyone in management and anyone in general in the workplace needs to read this book. Lots of new content and food for thought here, but also very cathartic for those dogged by corporate American "process" for "process sake".

John puts into very simple and powerful concepts, even corporate common sense, things that I have found myself muttering under my breath for years. John's concepts would engender a competitive and productive American workforce and a truly "free job market" where talent and skill are rewarded and the "pencil pushers" and "clock watchers" and bad managers are moved on. I long for the day.

Killer book, must read....buy it now.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it Today!, July 16, 2009

By	Dr. Shellie Hipsky (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

John Putzier's book Weirdos in the Workplace is a must read for all business leaders and HR Professionals. The author is a highly regarded speaker, author, and consultant who works with countless respected companies to answer the quandaries that perplex managers in today's jobs. From what bathroom should a transsexual use to can a person demand that their cubicle be set up for the best Fung Shui; these are questions that are relevant now that simply didn't have to be addressed a few decades ago. He addresses the laws, the psychology, and the reality of these situations. I know that this book for me is more than simply a witty read, it will inspire discussions in seminars, the classroom, and even dinner parties. If you are in the working world, you will meet these "weirdos" who include anyone who is different than you. Purchase this book today for knowledge on how to respond to sticky situations when they arise in your company.

Dr. Shellie Hipsky, Assistant Professor, Robert Morris University; Educational Consultant, Tri-State Study Council, University of Pittsburgh; Contracted Author, Prentice Hall