Nice Guys Can Get the Corner Office: Eight Strategies for Winning in Business Without Being a Jerk

by Russ C. Edelman, Timothy R. Hiltabiddle, Charles C. Manz

Many people suffer from Nice Guy Syndrome—they're held back from higher levels of success by being too selfless at work. It's a tricky problem, because if you start to think that being nice is bad, it's easy to overcompensate with selfishness, intimidation, and intense aggression. The founders of Nice Guy Strategies teach that nice is not about being weak or soft—that you can hang on to your morals, compassion, and sincerity and still get ahead. The key is to draw on eight practical strategies—the Nice Guy Bill of Rights—that will help you find the right balance. Each chapter in Nice Guys Can Get the Corner Office shares insights and stories from both ordinary nice guys and celebrity executives.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Psychology

288 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2008

Reviews

[Heidi Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book if you are a manager or have a tendency toward being a "nice guy." If you are a manager, I think you will gain insight in how to manage and encourage the "nice guys" who will inevitably be part of your staff. If you are a "nice guy" or even partially a "nice guy," this book will provide you insight into your behavior and the behavior of those around you. You will have a choice to make any changes or simply embrace who you are with a deeper level of understanding how you relate to the world and how the world relates to you. This book definitely touched on an area where I am trying to learn and grow, i.e. boundaries. It is so good to understand that this is a true challenge for "nice guys." I am thankful for the time that I put into this book.

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is in the similar vein of all the rest of the business workshop style books, filled with stories with fictional characters and strategies so patent as to be patronizing. That said, it was a quick and engaging read because it was well-organized and included quotes from major businessmen (no women of course, ugh). I would probably read a book by the same author if it was called Assholes Can Get the Corner Office because it might have some information I need to know.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook. The basic premise of the book is the way for nice guys to get the corner office is to stop being nice guys. All it did was explain how good guy behavior is holding you back and you should stop doing that at certain times. I definitely got burned by the cover on this one. They could have at least had some areas where the good guy behavior can be utilized.

[Alison]

Since nice guys and corner offices are both myths, this book is a waste of paper, ink, and time.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strategies for being nice without letting others take advantage of you.

[The · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid. Nothing super revolutionary, but not a bunch of BS--there was actually some practical, useful, and thoughtful stuff in here.

[Rickthomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Elwirka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought-provoking book.

[Matt Whiteside · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this one. Far too conceptual and repetitive.