Good Boss, Bad Boss : How to Be the Best ... And Learn from the Worst

If you are a boss who wants to do great work, what can you do about?

Good Boss, Bad Boss is devoted to answering that question. Stanford Professor Robert Sutton weaves together the best psychological and management research with compelling stories and cases to reveal the mindset and moves of the best (and worst) bosses. This book was inspired by the deluge of emails, research, phone calls, and conversations that Dr. Sutton experienced after publishing his blockbuster bestseller The No Asshole Rule. He realized that most of these stories and studies swirled around a central figure in every workplace: THE BOSS. These heart-breaking, inspiring, and sometimes funny stories taught Sutton that most bosses - and their followers - wanted a lot more than just a jerk-free workplace. They aspired to become (or work for) an all-around great boss, somebody with the skill and grit to inspire superior work, commitment, and dignity among their charges.

As Dr. Sutton digs into the nitty-gritty of what the best (and worst) bosses do, a theme runs throughout Good Boss, Bad Boss - which brings together the diverse lessons and is a hallmark of great bosses: They work doggedly to "stay in tune" with how their followers (and superiors, peers, and customers too) react to what they say and do. The best bosses are acutely aware that their success depends on having the self-awareness to control their moods and moves, to accurately interpret their impact on others, and to make adjustments on the fly that continuously spark effort, dignity, and pride among their people.

Preface: From Assholes to Bosses
I Setting the Stage
1 The Right Mindset
II What the Best Bosses Do
2 Take Control
3 Strive to Be Wise
4 Stars and Rotten Apples
5 Link Talk and Action
6 Serve as a Human Shield
7 Don’t Shirk from the Dirty Work
8 Squelch Your Inner Bosshole
III The Upshot
9 It’s All About You
Your Stories and Ideas About Bosses