Neanderthals at Work: How People and Politics Can Drive You Crazy.And What You Can Do About Them

Filled with psychological insights and practical advice, it examines the more subtle traps that make an office seem like a battlefield. Shows how to understand and accept that many of the crazy-making things which happen at work come from the misunderstandings between three warring personality types: rebels (corporate mavericks), believers (corporate innocents) and competitors (corporate warriors). Demonstrates the importance of cooperation and understanding.

Bernstein and Rozen advance from their popular self-helper, Dinosaur Brains (1989), and the result is an avuncular, honest guide through the workplace. For some, corporate life is an involving challenge; for many others, it's a series of enervating insults. The authors have figured out why and, for those among the offended, what might be done to improve things. They divide all the gall producers into three models. There are the ``Rebels,'' cool and above the rules- -and never progressing. There are the ``Believers,'' highly motivated and devoted to all the rules--and never progressing. Then there are the ``Competitors,'' the warrior caste who can never be less than number one: ``It's against their religion,'' we are told. They are always progressing. (The authors never hint that there may be a fourth type. But, then, simple, incompetent Dorks don't want to be called that when they buy books, do they?) Each of the three archetypes is driven crazy by the others. And each is competent, of course, but just doesn't understand what makes the others go. With the accustomed paraphernalia of such manuals--pep talks, quizzes, and little morality plays--anxious readers will learn to identify themselves, those who work for them, and, most importantly, those who hold them in their power. Suggestions for coping are set forth. The repertory troupe of fictional characters (including one tyrant called ``Bronson'') may be onstage a bit too long, but they may also strike a familiar chord or two. Business myths are dismantled. The Bottom Line, no myth, is where it's at--where all the Competitors meet. And anyone can join them there. Just forget the need for praise and the fear of failure. Learn the unspoken rules and the corporate rituals. Here's the way the business world works, described in a superior self-helper that actually gets down to business. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

By the same authors of Dinosaur Brains ( LJ 4/1/89), this work uses the stories of several characters at a fictional company, Neander-Tek, to illustrate the personality types every company has--Rebels, Believers, and Competitors. The authors identify the characteristics of each type and the problems each has getting along with the other. The work is not about how to change who you are, but rather how to understand and work cooperatively with those who are different from you. The obvious humor does not get in the way of a clear insight into the nature of people and organizations. Anyone who works in an organization of even moderate size will have trouble putting this down. Recommended for all business collections.
- Michael D. Kathman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Collegeville, Minn.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.