The No #*$@* Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t
Robert I. Sutton has written this book about nasty people in the workplace. He briefly presents the American myth of nastiness being a sign of intelligence. In an interview with National Public Radio today, Sutton said that many of us think that a person who insults others, or who regularly delivers negative criticism of others, must be more intelligent that a nice, friendly person.
Sutton offers the example of American Idol. Simon regularly hurls insults at auditioners. Paula and Randy are kind and sympathetic even toward those who can’t carry a tune. Which of the three do you consider to be the more intelligent? Sutton suggests that many Americans have been conditioned by the myth to assume that Simon is the more intelligent.
Sutton is writing in hopes of creating a more efficient and humane marketplace. What is the interpersonal climate where you work? Have you seen this myth influencing the behavior and speech of your co-workers and superiors?
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Although I work in a very competitive environment, it’s full of smart people. This makes it easy to figure out that some people are just… jerks.
Sutton uses the term “jerks,” for these people as well, and I find it to be an appropriate word - a graphic for some one who jerks around other people, manipulating for selfish motives. How does someone work in such an enviroment with “jerks,” and live/react according to the gospel without being taking advantage by the jerks?
nathan.
I am in an office next to one such “jerk” who is constantly putting down pretty much everyone else in the company. This individual is also my superior. I find it very difficult to live/react the way I should. It is much easier just to laugh at the jokes/put-downs and go with the flow.
It has also been my experience that those who like to put others down will usually try to get you to join in. For instance, by asking questions which will lead you into saying something negative.
-Max
good insight from experience, Max. I have noticed that your observation of jerks soliciting others to join them in their “put-downs” is true of sinful nature in all expressions. For some reason, we not only desire to do what is wrong, but we desire to persuade others to do what is wrong with us. I will defintinely pray for you in your workplace. You have a prime opportunity to apply the gospel as you interact with the guy next door. Perhaps, your best tactic would be to treat others in your workplace with utmost respect and love while ignoring the jerk. But then, Jesus did say, “love your enemies.”
nathan.