If you are a boss who wants to do great work, what can you do about it? Good Boss, Bad Boss is devoted to answering that question. Stanfor...
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Dec 26, 2011
Miranda
rated it: 
After reading Sutton's previous work the "No Asshole Rule", this is definitely the stronger work. If you read Good Boss, Bad Boss, DO NOT read the previous work as Sutton incorporates much of his other work here with much more substance.
Overall, a well written and practically applicable Leadership Manifesto. Keen observations on the corruption of power, and how to keep yourself both human and accountable to those you lead. Excellent observations, case studies and citing exa More...
Overall, a well written and practically applicable Leadership Manifesto. Keen observations on the corruption of power, and how to keep yourself both human and accountable to those you lead. Excellent observations, case studies and citing exa More...
Aug 05, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Full disclosure: I generally hate business/self-help/leadership books. However, I recently started a new job, and for the first time in my professional life, I’m a supervisor. In an effort to NOT screw this up, I’ve spent the last several weeks skimming a variety of business books, and I also attended a webinar aimed at young managers. Most of the books were predictably boring and ridiculous, but the webinar, led by Bob Sutton, was insightful, entertaining, and full of advice that I might actual
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Dec 20, 2010
Nathan
rated it: 
I was prepared for this to be awful, but I actually learned a lot. The brief book emphasizes humanity, tells lots of (blessedly short!) stories from real CEOs to illustrate the points, and none of the recommendations fail the sniff test. The observations and recommendations border on the trite, but sometimes it's good to be reminded quickly of all the shit you're supposed to know.
The case for reforming or, failing that, expelling the worst offenders is bolstered by Will Felps’s reseaMore...
Dec 17, 2010
Jonny99
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A solid tutorial on beneficent bosshood. Dr. Robert I. ”No Asshole Rule” Sutton efficiently covers decent and despicable managerial behaviors. His text, sometimes jarringly, mixes the academic and profane but never strays too far in either direction producing a relatively quick and painless read. Although he relates several stories of over-the-top boss scumbaggery, some hoping for more of these cheap thrills will be disappointed. However the decision to not dwell on hellacious managers keeps
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Nov 11, 2011
Mandy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 25, 2011
Jeff
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Robert Sutton offers his take on effective supervision in a style that's conversational, jargon free and occasionally irreverent. Drawing from a wealth of real-life examples "Good Boss, Bad Boss" proves that you can learn just as much from lousy leaders as effective ones, even if all you learn is how not to do it.
The big reveal in GBBB is the importance of self-awareness. Time and again Sutton demonstrates how fallible and inaccurate our self-assessments can be. We're apparen More...
The big reveal in GBBB is the importance of self-awareness. Time and again Sutton demonstrates how fallible and inaccurate our self-assessments can be. We're apparen More...
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Apr 15, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Did this on audio.
Audio reader is excellent. The book is also very good, very practical with no promises of quick fixes.
It boils down to - balance performance with humanity and kindness. Learn when to push and when it's necessary to do dirty work (hardest for me - confrontation, dealing with a**holes, etc.), but also always respect people and give them pride and dignity.
I think the most difficult part is learning to see yourself as those you work with, for, and over More...
Audio reader is excellent. The book is also very good, very practical with no promises of quick fixes.
It boils down to - balance performance with humanity and kindness. Learn when to push and when it's necessary to do dirty work (hardest for me - confrontation, dealing with a**holes, etc.), but also always respect people and give them pride and dignity.
I think the most difficult part is learning to see yourself as those you work with, for, and over More...
Sep 20, 2011
May-Ling
rated it:
i'm a bit of a font snob, and i'll have to say that i was pretty turned off by the typeface. i bet it was meant to be approachable, but it came across lacking a bit of professionalism, if that makes sense to anyone else out there. i have to get it out there, since it meant that the book and i started out on the wrong foot.
bob sutton is a straight shooter. i've heard him speak before and he's similar in person - what else would you expect from someone who wrote a book called the no as More...
bob sutton is a straight shooter. i've heard him speak before and he's similar in person - what else would you expect from someone who wrote a book called the no as More...
Jul 22, 2011
Joe
rated it:
Sutton is one of my all time favorite thought leaders in the world of business, based largely on his earlier book, The No Asshole Rule, which everyone should go out and buy right now.
Good Boss, Bad Boss covers some of the same topics as the No Asshole Rule, but where the Asshole book covers Assholes generally, Good Boss, Bad Boss focuses solely on Asshole bosses (aka Bossholes). He goes much more in depth into what exactly separates a good boss who is loved or at least respected by h More...
Good Boss, Bad Boss covers some of the same topics as the No Asshole Rule, but where the Asshole book covers Assholes generally, Good Boss, Bad Boss focuses solely on Asshole bosses (aka Bossholes). He goes much more in depth into what exactly separates a good boss who is loved or at least respected by h More...
Sep 16, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best... and Learn from the Worst by Robert Sutton is better. The book devotes its chapters to the qualities of a good boss: good listener, asks questions, listens to employees, confident, decision-maker, etc. This book would be very helpful for someone who has not found a good mentor or example of “good boss” within his/her organization. It provides a good amount of material to help you reflect on your own leadership style and the case studies illustrate the po
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Jul 09, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I was not the best boss in the world at my last gig, or even close to mediocre. This book taught me a lot about how to be better, how to be a better team player, and finally ground in the message of how to be good to myself in the corporate world.
And yes, I can think of at least fifty people, EASILY, who would benefit from this book. As I said before, this book is a lot like the "It's Your Ship" books I read last year, for the civilian world. It's NOT self-help; rather, a More...
And yes, I can think of at least fifty people, EASILY, who would benefit from this book. As I said before, this book is a lot like the "It's Your Ship" books I read last year, for the civilian world. It's NOT self-help; rather, a More...
Sep 26, 2010
Efox
rated it:
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway winner.
I really enjoyed Robert I. Sutton straightforward approach to the behaviors, conscientiousness, and patterns that make good bosses great and bad bosses horrible. I would recommend this book for anyone who is a boss or who has one.
Sutton outlines, in his chapters, the behaviors and attitudes of best bosses and examples of what the worst ones don't (eg taking control, making sure your talk is more than empty words, shieldi More...
I really enjoyed Robert I. Sutton straightforward approach to the behaviors, conscientiousness, and patterns that make good bosses great and bad bosses horrible. I would recommend this book for anyone who is a boss or who has one.
Sutton outlines, in his chapters, the behaviors and attitudes of best bosses and examples of what the worst ones don't (eg taking control, making sure your talk is more than empty words, shieldi More...
Jan 10, 2011
MsSmartiePants
rated it:
Mmmmm, well, a fine well-researched book which validates much of what you most likely already know; that is, there are good bosses and bad bosses and good bosses get more from their staff, higher quality of work from their staff, and less stress in their own lives as well as those of their staff. Okay.
If you lack an understanding of the empirical evidence supporting The Golden Rule, you will benefit from reading this book. This Stanford professor has done significant research to disc More...
If you lack an understanding of the empirical evidence supporting The Golden Rule, you will benefit from reading this book. This Stanford professor has done significant research to disc More...
Nov 03, 2010
Reading ebook on iPhone and taking notes. Very easy to read and engaging. Definitely provided some useful advice.
Good bosses are considerate, specify clear goals and implement changes. Oh, and also are charasmatic, intellectually stimulating and set clear expectations. Grit is a hallmark too. This is the conviction that nothing is ever quite good enough. Work harder, be more creative, don't stop learning. Framing long-term goals as manageable steps leads to a more motivated, less distressed staf More...
Good bosses are considerate, specify clear goals and implement changes. Oh, and also are charasmatic, intellectually stimulating and set clear expectations. Grit is a hallmark too. This is the conviction that nothing is ever quite good enough. Work harder, be more creative, don't stop learning. Framing long-term goals as manageable steps leads to a more motivated, less distressed staf More...
May 13, 2011
Lucas
rated it:
The Mindset of a Great Boss - How would your people answer these questions about you?
1. Following Lasorda's Law? Are you constantly thinking about and trying to walk the most constructive line between being too assertive and not assertive enough? Or are you neglecting to give people the guidance, wisdom, and feedback they need to succeed? Worse yet, are you obsessively monitoring and micromanaging every move they make?
2. Got Grit? Do you treat the work you lead as a marat More...
1. Following Lasorda's Law? Are you constantly thinking about and trying to walk the most constructive line between being too assertive and not assertive enough? Or are you neglecting to give people the guidance, wisdom, and feedback they need to succeed? Worse yet, are you obsessively monitoring and micromanaging every move they make?
2. Got Grit? Do you treat the work you lead as a marat More...
Feb 24, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
I loved this book. It's a quick read but still managed to convey a lot of great concepts through real-life examples. It highlights all the ways to be a great boss to your employees. For people who have a boss, it talks about the ways to make your boss work for you, not against you. The only trouble is that the people who probably most need to read and understand this book would never read it or never understand it is about them.
Sep 18, 2010
I found myself not enjoying this one quite as much as I thought I would, mainly because he shared a lot of the content on his blog, which I read religiously . . . so I guess I'm glad I got this from the library. Having said that, it's still a great book, and, like all of his writing, worthwhile to read if you aspire to being a boss that others want to work for, which I do.
Apr 02, 2011
Wm
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Some good no-nonsense advice here. And Sutton does a good job of using relevant anecdotes and stories. And doesn't try to develop some complex. Just an over-all principle (this book grew out of reaction to his "no assholes" [in the workplace] book) and some lists of dos and don'ts.
Sep 28, 2010
Tricia
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Pretty sure that bosses who need to read this aren't the ones picking it up...but this book from the author of "The No Asshole Rule" shares examples of what to do and what not to do as a manager. Entertaining and inspirational for both beginning and seasoned supervisors.
Jan 16, 2012
Claire
rated it:
Practical, sensible advice written in an accessible format. Coherently articulates many thoughts and theories you might know but couldn't exactly put a finger on. What Robert Sutton says isn't rocket science but it does make you stop and think.
May 23, 2011
Michele
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This is more than just "another leadership book." In his blog and books, Bob Sutton describes some of the behaviors and patterns that can build a strong organization -- or undermine one. This is a quick read, with good takeaway value.
Jul 15, 2011
Chris
rated it:
EXCELLENT. Full of great anecdotal stories and pragmatic approaches to being a great boss (leader)...and being a not-so-great boss. Worth the read for anyone who has a boss or is a boss - which pretty much covers everyone.
Aug 02, 2010
Heather
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I will always have mad love for this book - not just because it's interesting and well-written, but because it has introduced me to "Bosshole." A combination of Asshole + Boss. Bwuahahahahahahahaha!
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Aug 03, 2011
Spazfungus
rated it: 
it was ok, it was like another book i read (can't find the name of it just now) but with more filler words and anecdotes. good points
Aug 21, 2011
Flavil
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If you're a manager this is a good read for you. Shows how clueless you probably are and how your subordinates truly view you.
Jul 06, 2011
Jennifer
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A great book filled with fascinating anecdotes about bosses that make you cringe and leaders who make you feel inspired.
Nov 11, 2010
Peter
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Well written and enjoyable - lots of great examples of what to do and not to do when your the boss. Don't be a bosshole!
Nov 09, 2010
Holly
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Very entertaining and offers many practical tips. I didn't love absolutely everything about this book - but I loved much of it. A great read for bosses - the tough-love approach to avoiding bosshole syndrome appealed to me.
Oct 16, 2011
Kendall
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Entertaining very direct style of writing Sutton doesn't have much tolerance for jerk bosses.
May 28, 2011
Edward
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Excellent! Everyone should read this - except the bossholes out there...
