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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Jerks at Work summary
Tessa West
Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them
21 mins
Brief summary
Jerks at Work by Tessa West is a guidebook for identifying and dealing with difficult workplace behaviors. The author draws on psychological research to offer practical solutions for handling toxic colleagues and building stronger work relationships.
Table of Contents
Jerks at Work
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Kiss Up/Kick Downer
Before Tessa West became a social psychologist, she was a salesperson at a high-end department store. There, she had the misfortune of working with another salesperson named Dave. Whenever the manager was around, Dave acted like a model employee. But the moment the manager left, Dave’s true colors came out. He was viciously competitive — not only stealing his colleagues’ customers, but rearranging and hiding the items they needed in the storage room, making it harder for them to complete their sales.
Dave is a classic example of the first type of jerk you might encounter at work: a kiss up/kick downer. He “kisses up” to those above him — acting polite, offering to do favors, charming their socks off, and trying to cozy up to them outside of work. In contrast, he “kicks down” people at the same level or below him in the workplace hierarchy — trying to undermine them and make them look bad in any way he can get away with.
If this sounds like something that’s happening to you at work, the first thing you should do is make sure you’re not just being oversensitive and confirm the person is actually being a jerk. To do this, find someone who is socially well-connected and knows “what’s up” at your workplace. Ask them a question like “Have you heard anything good or bad about Dave?”
If they confirm that you are indeed dealing with a jerk, try to find other victims and collect their testimonies about his behavior. To keep things professional, just ask your colleagues neutral questions, like “have you worked much with Dave? What’s that been like?”
Meanwhile, try to put as much space between you and the kiss up/kick downer as possible. Think about when and where you encounter him and how you can minimize contact. It could be something as simple as changing seats at a meeting or avoiding the coffee machine at a certain time.
When you’re ready to present your manager with your case against the jerk, remember: thanks to all that kissing up he does, your manager probably thinks highly of him, so you need to approach the issue diplomatically. Begin by acknowledging the jerk’s strengths, and then focus on his negative behaviors and how they’re impacting you and your colleagues.
Then, all that’s left to do is wait and be patient. It may take some time and behind-the-scenes action for your manager to deal with the jerk, so don’t expect an instant solution.
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What is Jerks at Work about?
Jerks at Work (2022) provides a handbook for how to deal with difficult people at work. Identifying seven types of jerks, it informs you about what kind of behaviors to look out for and how to deal with them in a pragmatic, positive way.
Jerks at Work Review
Jerks at Work (2022) by Tessa West is a thought-provoking exploration of difficult personalities in the workplace. Here's why this book is a valuable read:
- It offers in-depth analysis of different types of workplace jerks and provides practical strategies for dealing with them effectively.
- With real-life examples and relatable anecdotes, the book sheds light on the impact these individuals can have on team dynamics and offers tips for mitigating their negative influence.
- Through its engaging storytelling and insightful recommendations, this book manages to tackle a serious topic while keeping readers entertained and motivated to create positive change.
Who should read Jerks at Work?
- Anyone who is struggling with a jerk at work
- Those who have a friend or loved one who won’t stop complaining about a jerk at work
- People who are interested in how social psychology applies to the workplace
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Jerks at Work FAQs
What is the main message of Jerks at Work?
The main message of Jerks at Work is how to deal with difficult people and create a positive work environment.
How long does it take to read Jerks at Work?
The reading time for Jerks at Work varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Jerks at Work a good book? Is it worth reading?
Jerks at Work is a valuable read for anyone dealing with difficult colleagues. It offers practical strategies and insights to navigate challenging workplace situations.
Who is the author of Jerks at Work?
Tessa West is the author of Jerks at Work.
What to read after Jerks at Work?
If you're wondering what to read next after Jerks at Work, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Managing Up by Mary Abbajay
- Toxic Positivity by Whitney Goodman
- Getting Along by Amy Gallo
- The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton
- Can We Talk? by Roberta Chinsky Matuson
- Just Work by Kim Scott
- The Asshole Survival Guide by Robert I. Sutton
- Surrounded by Narcissists by Thomas Erikson
- Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
- Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly