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V S P Rao
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Venkatesh Guru Rao
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Be Slightly Evil: A Playbook for Sociopaths (Ribbonfarm Roughs 1) Kindle Edition

by Venkatesh Rao (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 247 ratings
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In 2010, Venkatesh Rao, author of the widely read ribbonfarm.com blog, began writing an email newsletter called "Be Slightly Evil" on the timeless theme of power and influence dynamics in the world of work. By the time the list was retired in 2013, it had over 2200 readers and was growing steadily. This ebook is a carefully sequenced and edited compilation of the archives, with a 5000-word bonus essay, "Inside the Tempo," which serves as a capstone conclusion to the series.
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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Ribbonfarm Roughs
  2. Print length
    231 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 15, 2013
  5. File size
    353 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
247 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • cristina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophical view on self and status
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Frankly I think I might need to reread the book to fully grasp its meaning and nuances. However, after a first read, there are a few concepts that stuck with me. First, the idea of an evil twin. Then, the difference between felt status, played status and perceived status. Also, when criticized, one should focus on the information presented in a clinical way, without emotions getting in the way. Finally, the most useful takeaway might be how to discern truth from lies: truth brings clarity, whereas lies only muddle the waters. All in all, a fascinating book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read, this is the one to click|Buy
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Well observed, well communicated to the reader, and done with enough humour to make me laugh while still being to the point. Further, it is an ebook that is priced appropriately, as very few are!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ARH
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some good observations, some meandering self-indulgence
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Practically a whole chapter is devoted to holding the door open for other people. What strategies should one use in deciding how long to hold open a door? Who gains and loses status in different scenarios?

    I tend to think life is too short to spend worrying about that kind of thing, let alone reading about it.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Evo Terra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read. Think. Implement. Repeat.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If you work with me, socially interact with me, or are a member of my family, please don't buy this book.

    Because if you do, you'll be on a level playing field with me, and I'll be less likely to get what I want from you. So seriously, don't read it.

    Everyone else? Pick it up. It's filled with ideas and thoughts that will quickly change the way you interact with people to get what you want. No, not in some crazy "I been HYP-NO-TIZED!" sort of way. And not in a manipulative way that makes people do things they don't want. That's just being a douche.

    No, this book helps you position yourself, understand the motivations of others, and gives you the tools necessary to get things done the way that you know they need to be done. And if that's slightly evil, sign me up.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Charles
    5.0 out of 5 stars deliciously good.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Rao, is quite insightful, bought this book to follow up his first- the gervais principle. never cared for the office series or the dumb movie, but like the book. Appreciate his writing more for the information less for the sudo-academic, highbrow pretension- but hey what do you expect from a guy that writes about interpreting and destroying workplace adversaries?

    Don't expect this kind of a book to be talked about near the water cooler or be a best seller- most people won't get it and most readers would not advertise that they identify and like a book entitled "playbook for sociopaths". None the less, this is great stuff and could, in time, find its self among the princes' and laws of power type books.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Erik Johannessen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of great insights, though I didn't agree with everything, and I think this eBook could have used more than the light editing it received.
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  • Brandon Hudgeons
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shhhhhh.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    There are unlikely to be many reviews of this book, because we all consider it our secret. If you've ever enjoyed one of @vgr's posts on the Gervais Principle, or even if you haven't, this book will give you the principles and tactics for deftly tiptoeing up to the line of your own ethical standards. It will also help you to identify and react when the slightly- or truly-evil in your life or business are influencing you or your situation in ways that you might not have considered.

    Just remember that I'm the one that told you about it. I'm on your side, and I know the tricks, so don't try 'em on me.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • CS
    3.0 out of 5 stars Decent
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Some practical advice. Seems like more rambling and the author intentionally trying to appear clever (uses way too much of own defined acronyms which are boring to follow).

    Wish there were more practical case studies.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Daniel C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind blowing!
    Reviewed in Germany on February 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Just a mind blowing reading experience. This is truly inspiring and eye-opening. Be slightly evil is a model worth exploring and implementing across many aspects of ones life.
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  • benubird
    1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of money
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 27, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Waste of money. The essays are less detailed, and less well written, than the ones published on his website. I was very enthusiastic when I bought the book, but I gave up on reading it halfway through. I was hoping for some new insights; instead, I just got the same reheated tripe being peddled everywhere.
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  • Dave TG
    1.0 out of 5 stars Boring
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Over complicated and not very interesting. Found myself skipping through many chapters. Massively over-complicated terminology at times and nothing that struck me as new or innovative.
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