close
The No Asshole Rule (Abridged): Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isnt Audiobook, by Robert I. Sutton Play Audiobook Sample

The No Asshole Rule (Abridged): Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't Audiobook

The No Asshole Rule (Abridged): Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isnt Audiobook, by Robert I. Sutton Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $17.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $39.98 Add to Cart
Read By: Robert I. Sutton Publisher: Balance Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781594838682

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

39

Longest Chapter Length:

06:43 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:57 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:35 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Robert I. Sutton: > View All...

Publisher Description

The definitive guide to working with -- and surviving -- bullies, creeps, jerks, tyrants, tormentors, despots, backstabbers, egomaniacs, and all the other assholes who do their best to destroy you at work.

"What an asshole!"

How many times have you said that about someone at work? You're not alone! In this groundbreaking book, Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton builds on his acclaimed Harvard Business Review article to show you the best ways to deal with assholes...and why they can be so destructive to your company. Practical, compassionate, and in places downright funny, this guide offers:

  • Strategies on how to pinpoint and eliminate negative influences for good
  • Illuminating case histories from major organizations
  • A self-diagnostic test and a program to identify and keep your own "inner jerk" from coming out

The No Asshole Rule is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Business Week bestseller.

Download and start listening now!

"Sutton takes a look at the negative aspects of assholes in the workplace, how they affect productivity and what you can do about it. I found the book to be very down to earth. Short enough to get the info across but long enough to cover the subject. Surprisingly better than I thought it would be. "

— Mark (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Sutton's ‘no asshole rule’ puts a stop to the abuse in no uncertain terms. Similar rules have transformed such companies as JetBlue, the Men's Wearhouse, and Google into shining examples of workplaces where positive self-esteem creates a more productive, motivated, and satisfied workforce. If you have ever been a victim, just reading Sutton's analysis brings calm relief, empowerment, and reassurance that you're not alone.”

    — Booklist
  • “Very readable, and people in any type of organization with "people problems" would benefit from using it to inspire some fresh thinking.”

    — Library Journal
  • Did the Harvard Business Review really print an article that used the word "asshole" eight times? Apparently so, and from it evolved this audiobook, a handy guide to the domineering bullies found in the workplace, on the sports field, and in government. Turns out that these "kiss up, kick down" individuals don't just ruin our day, they also cost business and government a great deal of time and money…one of the stronger business titles this season.

    — AudioFile

The No Asshole Rule Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.3333333333333335 out of 53.3333333333333335 out of 53.3333333333333335 out of 53.3333333333333335 out of 53.3333333333333335 out of 5 (3.33)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another book everyone should read. Didn't care for the revenge stories, but otherwise some great advice. I'm sure you've met one and can relate!! "

    — Carol, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked the concept for the book. There were moments that were great, such as quantifying the detriment of assholes in the workplace, overall it was a bit dry and it wasn't filled with as much new insight as I would have liked. "

    — Lisa, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good information but poorly written. "

    — Matt, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I didn't like this book. I think we need to be positive at all times and this book was full of negativity. There is a place in business where you need to be aggressive and you need to be stern which is what you learn in this book, but you can always do it in kind way. "

    — Andrew, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Everyone should read this book about how to manage so as to prevent a toxic workplace. There are a lot of tips on identifying and neutralizing toxic people as well as what causes them. "

    — Becka, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love this book...how to be a better manager and how to deal with difficult people "

    — Rosemarie, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is another fabulous foray into the Ivory Tower. I obtained it through ILL and highly recommend. Thanks to RTS for sharing the blog post that reminded me of it. "

    — Amy, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I must must read book. Should be translated to all languages as well. You cannot get through you adult ages without this book. "

    — kambiz, 2/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A quick read. Good stories and reminders on how to deal with these people and what is usually behind their motivation. Also a good time to reflect on whether you are the a--hole that people refer to but somehow you justify your behavior. A good sign that you probably are one. "

    — Ishan, 1/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book validated my experiences with a certified asshole and helped me have the courage to leave a work situation that was draining me. I have never looked back and am so happy that I did not settle. "

    — Veronica, 11/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The research regarding the damage that assholes have on productivity in the workplace is solid. However, the suggestions for how to "deal" with an asshole if you are the target of the attacks are really bad. "

    — Erin, 9/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I never realized that the unrestrained use of the word "asshole" could make a management book fun to read and even funny at times. Now I know. There are also some useful ideas for avoiding and dealing workplace a-holes. "

    — Ariana, 4/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I got the point from the title, the rest was just fluff. "

    — Dennis, 9/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not a spectacularly interesting read, but immensely helpful to someone like me who finds herself working with people like the title character. "

    — Caitlin, 7/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book. Good for anyone who ever has to work with others... That's all of us. Insights on why assholes aren't worth your time or investment, how to keep them out of an org, and how to identify whether you are one. I like this Sutton guy. "

    — Stacy, 6/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a great quick read. It really gave me some perspective and valuable insight. "

    — Tara, 6/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is another fabulous foray into the Ivory Tower. I obtained it through ILL and highly recommend. Thanks to RTS for sharing the blog post that reminded me of it. "

    — Amy, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My guess is that usually assholes read this, so they can call other people assholes. It puts almost everything in a negative light. However, as it was for work, I read it. "

    — Gennielc, 4/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Helped me quit my last job :-) "

    — Dianne, 4/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Talk about a fun read!!! I loved the style of this book where it helps the reader identify assholes and know how to deal with them because heaven know planet earth will NEVER run out of that abundant resource! "

    — Hashim, 4/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some good tips in here on avoiding unpleasant workplace interactions. I'm not sure though, that when the time comes I will be able to recall a specific strategy to use to curtail the a-holery. That might just be me though! "

    — Rachael, 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Es ist polemisch und treffend geschrieben, teilweise wiederholt es sich aber. Andererseits kann man bestimmte Dinge auch nicht oft genug sagen und eins davon ist: Arschlöcher gehören gestoppt! "

    — Hanee, 3/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Nothing wonderful. Every workplace needs a rule prohibiting the hiring or promotion of jerks. The interesting thing is that the author seems to recognize that everyone is one. Or has an inner one. "

    — Mike, 3/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting book. Worth the read, especially since my office had a huge one. "

    — Tony, 2/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Too bad I didn't read this about five years ago! "

    — Amy, 2/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Example after example after example of people that fit the rule. Book could have been 3 chapters long and it still would have been too long. No real substance on how to deal with this type of person. "

    — Steve, 2/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Sutton pulls real-life examples across organizational history to illustrate his point. It's a must-read for anyone who has worked for or within an organization where assholes reign. "

    — Caroline, 1/31/2011

About Robert I. Sutton

Robert I. Sutton is professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University, where he is co-founder of the Center for Work Technology and Organizations, Stanford Technology Ventures Program, and Institute of Design. He was named as one of ten “B-School All-Stars” by BusinessWeek, which they described as “professors who are influencing contemporary business thinking far beyond academia.” His books include The Knowing-Doing Gap, Weird Ideas the Work, and two New York Times bestsellers, The No Asshole Rule and Good Boss, Bad Boss.