‘Ask A Manager is the book I wish I’d had in my desk drawer when I was starting out (or even, let’s be honest, fifteen years in).’ – Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck and Get Your Sh*t Together
‘I am a HUGE fan of Alison Green’s “Ask a Manager” column. I never miss it and always want more. This book is even better.’ – Robert Sutton, bestselling author of Good Boss, Bad Boss and The No Asshole Rule
What do you say when your new job is very different from what you agreed to? How do you tell your boss that your workload is too heavy, or that you need more training? How do you deal with a colleague whose loud speaker phone calls are driving you insane? And how do you repair your reputation after getting drunk at the company holiday party?
Ten years of writing a workplace advice column have taught Green that people tend to avoid difficult conversations in the office because we simply don’t know what to say. But the stakes are just as high if we don’t speak up, because problems that could be solved with a simple conversation can fester if they aren’t addressed.
In this witty and practical guide, Green tackles 200 of those delicate discussions that you need to have, but might not be sure how to begin – and arms you with the wording to do it. Along the way, she shares some of the most outlandish and hilarious letters she’s received from readers over the years – from an employee who placed a black magic ‘curse’ on her coworkers to a boss who repeatedly stole an employee’s lunch.
You’ll learn what to say when:
*Your coworker keeps pushing her work on you
*Your new job is very different than what you agreed to
*Your boss seems unhappy with your work
*You catch an employee in a lie
*Colleagues keep making judgemental comments about your diet
*Your coworker’s loud speaker phone calls are making you homicidal . . . and plenty more difficult or awkward situations you might find yourself in!
‘I am a HUGE fan of Alison Green’s “Ask a Manager” column. I never miss it and always want more. This book is even better.’ – Robert Sutton, bestselling author of Good Boss, Bad Boss and The No Asshole Rule
What do you say when your new job is very different from what you agreed to? How do you tell your boss that your workload is too heavy, or that you need more training? How do you deal with a colleague whose loud speaker phone calls are driving you insane? And how do you repair your reputation after getting drunk at the company holiday party?
Ten years of writing a workplace advice column have taught Green that people tend to avoid difficult conversations in the office because we simply don’t know what to say. But the stakes are just as high if we don’t speak up, because problems that could be solved with a simple conversation can fester if they aren’t addressed.
In this witty and practical guide, Green tackles 200 of those delicate discussions that you need to have, but might not be sure how to begin – and arms you with the wording to do it. Along the way, she shares some of the most outlandish and hilarious letters she’s received from readers over the years – from an employee who placed a black magic ‘curse’ on her coworkers to a boss who repeatedly stole an employee’s lunch.
You’ll learn what to say when:
*Your coworker keeps pushing her work on you
*Your new job is very different than what you agreed to
*Your boss seems unhappy with your work
*You catch an employee in a lie
*Colleagues keep making judgemental comments about your diet
*Your coworker’s loud speaker phone calls are making you homicidal . . . and plenty more difficult or awkward situations you might find yourself in!
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Reviews
Clear and concise in its advice, and expansive in its scope, Ask A Manager is the book I wish I'd had in my desk drawer when I was starting out (or even, let's be honest, fifteen years in). Alison Green's pragmatic approach to solving workplace dilemmas - from taking criticism to dishing it out - will make you not only a better, happier employee, it will help you tolerate less-than-perfect managers and put you well on your way to having their job someday . . . and doing it better
I am a HUGE fan of Alison Green's 'Ask a Manager' column. I never miss it and always want more. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces - and to do so with grace, confidence and a sense of humour
Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic, but firm way. Alison Green covers just about every conceivable awkward moment you can (and will) experience as an employee, coworker, or boss and then gives you a script for how to address and, more importantly, solve the problem
For those of us who navigate the complexities of the workplace at this point in history, whether we have somehow blundered into being managers ourselves or are merely data-entry peons, Alison Green is a treasure and a gift. Her writing is funny, fresh, clear, and helpful
Ask a Manager is essential reading for anyone who has to navigate the weirdness of office culture, managers who are possibly unhinged, or the dreaded coworker who will just not stop talking. Alison Green is the workplace mentor you always wanted-wise, kind and unflappable
This book should be required reading for anyone who manages or gets managed - or often finds themselves feeling like the only one who has ever had a bad coworker, or needs to give notice or ask for a raise. This book handles just about every work conundrum you've ever stayed up late at night worried about. I'd recommend reading it . . . and then conspicuously leaving it in your break room. Green is the work guru we've been reading for years: of course her book is fantastic!
The author's friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read . . . Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience . . . Highly recommended
Frequently hilarious, sometimes disturbing . . . the advice, though not always by the book, is surprisingly sensible when it comes to diffusing everyday conflict