45 Things You Do That Drive Your Boss Crazy--And How to Avoid Them

by Anita Bruzzese

A veteran career columnist shares a volume of letters by outraged bosses to identify the employee activities that are most likely to incite managerial wrath, from e-mailing the wrong people to blogging about a job, in a reference that also provides tips on how to change undesirable behavior. Original. 30,000 first pirnting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2007

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

De très bons conseils que l'on ne veut pas nécessairement lire, puisqu'ils mettent en lumière tous les comportements fautifs que l'on peut avoir, accompagnés de bonnes raisons de faire l'effort de les corriger. Le livre est écrit surtout pour une carrière en entreprise, mais les conseils sont pertinents pour tout emploi.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a career coach, I am always on the lookout for resources that will help my clients improve their job performances, so the title alone intrigued me to delve into this book. The author, Anita Bruzzese, has a nationally syndicated job advice column and answers questions about how to succeed in the workplace. Apparently, she has a very unsophisticated audience if this book is any indicator. Her advice, while very well-intentioned, is extremely basic, most likely appealing to very new or very clueless employees. Her advice pretty much consists of principles that almost everyone knows, but likely forgets, in the course of their daily battles.

With guidance ranging from refraining from telling dirty jokes at work to wearing the wrong thing to the office, most of her advice is very fundamental and frequently superficial. Even for the novice, fighting change, holding grudges, crying at work, skipping meetings, goofing off at conferences, fudging expense reports, being diversity intolerant, committing email blunders, etc. will come as no surprise. Being disorganized, exhibiting poor listening habits, asking for a raise you don't deserve, giving hurtful feedback and "being unable to overcome obstacles" pretty much fall into the "duh" category.

Nothing new here over well-trodden territory, but maybe her USA Today readers could use the refresher. Of course, we all have fallen victim to many of these self-defeating behaviors, but there are plenty of other better written books out there to keep you on the straight and narrow.

[Melly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you work in an office then you should read this book. Plain and simple. It took me a while to realize all of the things that I've done (possibly still do but trying really hard not to) that must have really had my wonderfully, sweet boss biting her tongue. It wasn't until I witnessed other people doing it to me that I realized - HOLY CRAP, this is exactly what I do to my boss. If it's bugging/annoying or frustrating me than I can bet my favorite pen that I'm doing it too.

This book is an eye-opener and if you're will to really take a look at your own behaviors in a honest way, this book might prove useful as you attempt to improve the dynamic between you and your boss.

[Khalid · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides advice about behaving in the workplace. It does it by discussing 45 things that you should not do at work. The advice provided in this book is really valuable. However, the style in which it is provided is not always the best. I did not always like the sarcastic style in the book, and it kept me feeling uncomfortable while reading on.

But if you filter that negative tone out, the book is really valuable and full of good advice, and the fact that it mentions Toastmasters gives it a few positive points too!

[Leader Summaries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desde Leader Summaries recomendamos la lectura del libro Lo que realmente molesta a los jefes, de Anita Bruzzese.
Las personas interesadas en las siguientes temáticas lo encontrarán práctico y útil: recursos humanos, mejorar el clima laboral.
En el siguiente enlace tienes el resumen del libro Lo que realmente molesta a los jefes, Compendio de normas básicas de comportamiento en un entorno laboral: Lo que realmente molesta a los jefes

[Sandra Soetanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy read the book so much! I recommend the book for whoever wants to excel in personal brand and business relationship, especially in the office. The book listed down 45 things employees do (consciously and unconsciously) that can make bosses anywhere crazy. It also tells me a simple truth I didn’t realize before: ‘Do you get nervous when you make a presentation at work? If you do, your boss does, too!’ Want to know better about how bosses think and what they expect? Hit the book!

[Yoriko]

I want to read this one too -- I'm kind of trying to read some career oriented stuff recently.

[Elizabeth]

Why not?

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty basic, common sense stuff, but I'm sure quite a few people need to hear these things. I hope it helps people.

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on business life.