Bob Sutton… “The No-Asshole Rule”
Stanford “B” school prof.
Breakthrough idea, e.g. “The No-Asshole Rule”, more trouble than they are worth. (NAR)
Hundreds of victims. In list of best places to work, includes those who list the NAR as part of their corporate culture. Now the book as been translated into 15 languages. Book has sold the best in Italy.
Even when people hate the title, they do remember the book.
Four main points:
I. The Two Tests
After talking to or interacting with the alleged asshole, their targets feel oppressed, humiliated, etc.
Does the alleged asshole aim his or her venom at people who are less powerful rather than at people who are more powerful. (About 70% of bullying)
Temporary or certified assholes
We all temporary assholes at one time or another.
Producer Scott Rudin (Certified Assholes)
had 119 assistants in 5 years, per Rudin, WSJ, said he had 250.
II.
Intel Motto, Disagree and then commit
Fight as if you are right, and listen as if you are wrong.
Brad Bird.. “I have been fired for being disruptive several times but this is the first time I have been hired for it.”
III. The Damage Done, Assholes are everywhere.
37% of Americans have experienced bullying.
Medicine is bad, especially what they to nurses. 90% of nurses victims of verbal abuse.
negative effects: nasty interactions pack a wallop.
Negative have 5 times the impact of positive.
Mental and physical health…
Good people leave, e.g. total cost of assholes.
People slow down, less effort, call in sick, and less likely to offer up suggestions.
TCA, e.g. total cost of one asshole for one year.
Management time
HR time
Senior executive time
lawyer time
cost of new secretary
overtime costs
anger management training.
Total cost is $160k per year.
The Rule…Enforcing it and keeping it alive
In most places, certified assholes are tolerated, but only up to a point.
What if you want higher standards.
Point at which time the go from normal asshole to flaming asshole.
Make it Public
No Jerk rules.
SuccessFactors..NAR..rule
“Respect for the individual, no assholes, and its ok to have one, but not be one. All employees sign an agreement.
3. Apply the Rule to Customers and Clients.
Southwest fires demeaning customers.
Asshole Taxes
You can be either an asshole or a late pay, but you can’t be both.
4. Fire Assholes, when you make a mistake.
Hotshots who alienate colleagues are told to change or leave.
When you follow an asshole, everyone things you are a great person.
5. Focus on conversations and interactions
Can you tell your boss that he is being jerk?
Overall Effect..It isn’t efficient to be an asshole here.
Take the ARSE test: http://electricpulp.com/guykawasaki/arse/
Take the ACHE test:
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