7 Books To Read If Your Office Colleagues Are Jerks

The corporate world is not the rosiest place to be. With the skyrocketing of competition and the manipulation, toxicity and dirty games that come with it, it might just be the opposite. But what can you do about it? Books. Books come to your rescue again. From corporate leaders at the highest rungs to social psychologists to management experts, many people have a lot to say about the work environment. And while you may not be able to switch jobs or change the people around you, you can equip yourself to deal with them better. We have listed 7 books to read if your office colleagues are jerks. These are books that might help.

How to be an Ally by Melinda Briana Epler

This is a book that gives a solution to corporate problems of microagression, inequity and lack of diversity. The answer itself is pretty simple and straightforward – allyship. Learning to be the driver of a change that creates opportunities and spaces for everyone to thrive – being a supporter instead of an enemy is allyship. Epler’s genius lies in the way she gives innovative tips and tricks to master the game that everyone plays at the office, and to do it in a socially responsible way.

Toxic by Clive Lewis

In this book, titled after the modern work conditions of discrimination and abuse, Lewis uses his HR expertise to give profound advice. Replete with case studies on varying work environments from hospitals to corporate organizations, Lewis offers ways to prevent and resolve workplace toxicity. Also, Lewis includes insightful advice on how to remain productive in such an environment, and deal with toxic workers in an adaptive manner.

Think Talk Create by David Brendel and Ryan Stelzer

With the pandemic and the workplace toxicity that comes with it in focus, the author duo offers great practical solutions to toxic colleague problems. However, they make not merely statements, but tell moving stories and offer new, innovative takes on old frameworks and ideas. For example, one of the solutions they offer is the usage of dialogue with open ended questioning to tackle colleagues. This ties into their bigger argument that in the workplace, long term, deliberative thinking wins over shortsighted impulsive thinking.

Employee Experience by Ben Whitter

This is a practical guide of sorts to achieving a utopian workplace environment full of happy, supportive and productive employees. This may seem far fetched and next to impossible, but that is hardly so. Whitter proves this with his easily achievable plan of action. With case studies of esteemed companies like Airbnb and Starbucks, this book is a must read. And the best part is, his techniques do not come at the expense of business performance and revenue, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

Jerks at Work by Tessa West

Basically, this book contains advice on how to deal with people in your workplace who make life miserable for you. These include manipulative people who are Machiavellians to their juniors but the sweetest to their seniors. Drawing on her extensive research, she crafts office archetypes. These are Bulldozer, Gaslighter, Credit-Stealer, Micromanager and Neglecter. Then she suggests different tactics to deal with these ‘jerks’ individually.

Office Politics by Oliver James

In this book, James first exposes the workplace for the shoddy, maladaptive and toxic place it has become. He then provides effective strategies to thrive and grow in it. This book is an honest work that will ward off your misconceptions about how the corporate world works and will salvage you from the depths of despair as well.

Am I The Only Sane One Working Here by Albert Bernstein

This book recognizes the workplace for the toxic dump it is. Plus, asserts that this reality cannot change in the short term. What can, and should, change is the way employees deal with it and make the most of it. This is exactly what this book is about – a manual of altering your reactions to suit the work environment.

Also Read: Work-Life Balance: Why It Is Important And How To Keep It In Check