Robert Sutton wrote The No Asshole Rule in 2007, after seeing lots of examples and hearing from lots of folks who dealt with workplace jerks on a regular basis. Before composing the book, he put together a couple of magazine articles that contained the genesis for the book idea.

I came late to reading The No Asshole Rule, but because of recent work stress, my former boss (@jmdipippa) thought it might make sound reading material. He was right on the money. This book was what I needed – right now – and it contained tips that could be integrated into my workday right away. Most importantly, it wasn’t what I call a “bitch book.” Instead, The No Asshole Rule demands that we be responsible for improving our own workplaces.

When my colleague Ron said he was working on reading more and more book reviews, I thought I might try to join him periodically. I read far more fiction than I do “practical books,” but when I do read one that might be helpful, I promise to share here at Higher Ed Solo. I’ve also worked up a quick way for me to review books – sharing one big idea per chapter. Let’s try that here. The No Asshole Rule has seven chapters, and here are my take-aways:

1. In chapter one, Sutton defines an “asshole.” He reminds us that an asshole is not just someone we don’t like or someone who is unskilled socially. An asshole is best defined by how he or she makes you feel when you’re in his or her presence. In addition, the quality of assholeishness is defined by the individual’s taking out anger and negativity on those who are less powerful. That less powerful thing is key, but my takeaway was that an asshole makes you feel lower than dirt when you have to deal with him or her.
2. Chapter two focuses on why assholes can ruin a workplace if they’re not contained. They cause damage to their chosen victims, to innocent bystanders who watch and hope not to become a target, and to themselves. They can also hurt an organization deeply, and that is my takeaway from this section. Do not suffer the assholes to survive because one day their presence will impact your company or organization negatively.
3. Enforcing the no-asshole rule is the focus of chapter three. Apparently, it’s pretty hard to weed out the bad and protect the good in an organization. *eye roll* However, it’s the reinforcement of an expectation of proper, non-assholeish behavior that can protect your organization. My takeaway from this section? Talk the talk, and walk the walk. Say you’re getting rid of the assholes and do it. If you can’t accomplish the goal, then don’t promote your company and its positive values. Related to this: Don’t tolerate asshole behavior in clients or customers either. That one’s a little harder to swallow.
4. Chapter four focuses on keeping your own negative behavior in check. Apparently, one asshole can stink up the whole company quickly. My big idea from here is where the book narrows its focus from looking at ALL THE ASSHOLES in the world to improving my own behavior. In this chapter, Sutton quotes da Vinci, saying “It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.” One should avoid assholes at all costs in order to avoid becoming one.
5. Chapter five is full of tips for surviving in a place filled with assholes, and I may have taken this chapter more to heart than the others. The big idea from this chapter is tied to my graduate work – reframe others’ behavior in order to improve your outlook. Sutton relates a story of how Disney trains its cast members to deal with assholes in amusement parks by following the simple rule to change how you see things.
6. Well, this chapter was a kick in the pants. Of course there are advantages to having assholes in the workplace – as well as acting like an ass sometimes. I’d rather not deal with this chapter that focuses on Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison and lots of other successful not-nice people. However, I do have a takeaway. Sometimes a well-placed asshole helps others see how not to behave. I know that’s the instance in my workplace.
7. The final chapter of this book focuses on how to implement the no-asshole rule in your daily life. The big idea here is simple – help create a world that’s one you’d want to live in. It’s like the Golden Rule, but bigger in a way. It’s also like those ripples you see when you drop a rock into a pond – you never know how far they’ll go.

Sutton’s book is full of lists, and quizzes, and tips to help us deal with assholes. That’s good, because he mentions that higher education is a place where assholes tend to congregate.

And I’ll let you make of that what you will.

* For the record, like Sutton, I’ve decided not to shy away from the word “asshole.” It is what it is. They are what they are.