Get Out of Your Own Way at Work... and Help Others Do the Same: Conquering Self-Defeating Behavior on the Job (Hardcover)

by Mark Goulston (Author)
Key Phrases: Being Closed Off, Fear of Confrontation, Our Own Way (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This follow-up to 1996's Get Out of Your Own Way diagnoses 40 business situations in which workers exhibit symptoms of self-defeating behavior, from "Not Being Able to Take No for an Answer" and "Being Competent but Out of Touch" to "Not Delegating" and "Assuming Others Understand You." Goulston's focus, however, is not on workplace effectiveness but on "earning self-esteem-and its twin sister, success." He devotes a chapter to each workplace issue: first, highlighting a case study that refers to a client from his consulting practice or, tangentially, to one of his hospital patients and, then, explaining how to remedy the behavior. In addition, each chapter is topped off with an aphoristic "Usable Insight" and a to-do list of "Action Steps." People are inclined to commit "hari-kari at work," Goulston says, because of "fearful aggression" and "fearful avoidance," two traits that he traces back to humans' "early-neural, unthinking, animal nature." While his insights are pedestrian-his advice can be boiled down to "be more self-aware"-the structure of the book makes it easy to cherry pick chapters that may apply to you.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description
A practical guide to help workers and managers deal with the self-sabotage that stands in the way of career advancement and satisfaction.

Self-defeating behavior is the most common reason that people put their jobs, careers, and reputations in jeopardy. Whether it's as simple as a breach of etiquette or a fear of learning new things, expecting too much from employers or failure to delegate, these behaviors lead to frustration, confusion, guilt, defensiveness, and self-doubt that will seriously hurt or even derail a career, no matter how intelligent or qualified a person might be.

Get Out of Your Own Way at Work covers forty of the most common self-defeating behaviors, explains why we sabotage ourselves, and offers proven steps to transform behavior from self-defeating to life-enhancing.

Illustrated with anecdotes and "useable insights" drawn from Dr. Goulston's more than twenty years in clinical and organization settings, Get Out of Your Own Way at Work shows anyone how to stop being their own worst enemy.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult (October 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399152660
• ISBN-13: 978-0399152665
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #790,007 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Drucker was right, October 30, 2005

By	Marshall Goldsmith "Helping successul people ... (Rancho Santa Fe, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peter Drucker has said "Half of the leaders that I meet don't need to learn what to DO - they need to learn what to STOP"!
Mark Goulston provides great insight into what we often need to learn to STOP doing. More importantly, he gives us some great guidelines on how to do this!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars superficial treatment of the issues, March 15, 2006

By	David McCormick (Acton, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard the author on a podcast and thought that what he had to say was interesting and relevant to identifying and changing self-defeating behaviors in a work environment. I think that the behaviors that he identifies in each chapter are relevant self-defeating behaviors and the writing is clear. However, I have been disappointed with this book for several reasons. Firstly, I think that the remedies proposed for each behavior are superficial prescriptions. For example, effetive delegation requires not just identifying a task to be delegated, but a multi-step process of identifying the task, explaining the task to the delegee, getting mutual agreement on what needs to be done, the time to complete the task, the resources availalble to complete it, and the expected standards at completion. No such framework is laid out. This is true of all the chapters in the book. Secondly, this would not be so bad if the author pointed the reader at other books or resources to flesh out these ideas. However, the book has no index and no bibliography or suggested references. This is an unpardonable sin in publishing, to my mind. No references and no index bespeaks a book rushed to market. Either that, or it's a tactic to get the author to consult to companies to give the specific information on how to remedy the behaviors.

I hope some of these criticisms can be addressed if there is to be a second edition of the book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put Yourself Back in the Driver's Seat, October 24, 2005

By	John Baldoni - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

4. I am over the age of 13. The Fine Print:All submitted reviews are subject to the license termWhether you are just getting started, or are a successful CEO, you will find wisdom in the pages of "Get Out of Your Way at Work." Mark Goulston, an executive coach and practicing psychiatrist, provides insights into self?defeating behaviors that hold good people back. For example, the book delves into issues such as procrastination, failure to listen, an inability to delegate, and an unwillingness to delegate. Rather than simply diagnose problems, Goulston provides insights that can turn excuses into action steps that will enable all readers to benefit. Using a combination of stories culled from experience as well as theory made relevant, this book navigates the sometimes choppy waters of management to provide readers with some clear?sighted advice. What's more, Goulton provides action plans for readers to tackle individual issues and turn potential problems into practical solutions. Such insights will enable use to exert a sense of calm over ourselves and by extension over our workplace. So what's holding you back? Read this book today and start putting some of Dr. Mark's insights to work for you now.