Dewey Decimal Project: 650.13 S

Last month I read Robert Sutton's The No Asshole Rule, which is about assholes in the workplace. Sutton has a specific two-part test for "spotting whether a person is acting like an asshole:

• Test One: After talking to the alleged asshole, does the 'target' feel oppressed, humiliated, de-energized, or belittled by the person? In particular, does the target feel worse about him or herself.


• Test Two: Does the alleged asshole aim his or her venom at people who are less powerful rather than at those people who are more powerful."

He also differentiates between the "temporary asshole" who acts like this sometimes and the "certified asshole" who does this over and over again.

I really liked the first half of the book where he details the damage assholes do to companies, how to keep them out, and how not to be one. I was not as excited about the part where he suggests strategies for surviving a workplace with assholes. Some of his strategies are mean and not at all strength-based, which is not my preference.

The writing is good, though, and I like Sutton's overall attitude. I would definitely recommend this if you are a manager or if you work with assholes, and I would consider reading more by Sutton.

Prompt Snippets: Complete

I finished my prompt snippets today! Next time I will remember to provide a general warning that I tend to start with the prompt and wander from it a bit. In case you missed them, I wrote:

Bruises on the Skin and Clothes on the Floor (Mike/William, Mike/Victoria, Mike/William/Victoria) for inlovewithnight: "I can't believe you're actually jealous of Victoria," Mike laughs ten minutes later when Bill has him pressed up against the wall of the empty for the moment dressing room.

No Trades (Mike/William) for trcunning: Victoria didn't stop laughing. "You like Bill." She dragged out every vowel sound.

Drumsticks and a Black Hoodie (girl!Bob/Mike) for Heather: Bobby orders a short stack and a cup of coffee, which she drinks black. Mike can respect that.

Quiet Time (Gabe/Victoria) for sleepherealone: Gabe's voice sounded terrible and he reached toward her.

In the midst of that, I also accidentally wrote:

Kindergarten teacher!Andy/cop!Matt for trcunning: Andy's trying not to diss this little girl's uncle because he doesn't want to make his kids cry, but seriously, this dude is a fucking cop. (Even if he is totally hot. Even if Pete wanders by the door taking his third graders somewhere and does a double take and then gives Andy a thumbs up.)

Enjoy!