SOCIAL SCIENCES

Mean Girls at Work: How To Stay Professional When Things Get Personal

Crowley, Katherine & . McGraw-Hill Professional. Nov. 2012. c.256p. ISBN 9780071802048. $24. BUS
COPY ISBN
Psychotherapist Crowley and management consultant Elster (coauthors, Working with You Is Killing Me) return to the subject of toxic workplaces, but their focus is on "mean girls," or especially noxious women colleagues, and the numerous ways they can affect the satisfaction and career goals of their fellow female coworkers. It's a narrow subject, and the book reads more like an online advice article than a cohesive narrative. Each chapter describes a different type of mean girl, from "meanest of the mean" to "group mean," and every mean in between, and then offers advice in the form of "Don't Go There" (actions you shouldn't take) and "Go Here" (actions you should), as well as sidebar "Coffee Breaks" that give general advice for such challenging workplaces.
VERDICT If working with a "mean girl" is truly a reader's biggest problem at work, dipping into this book for specific advice might help. Those looking for broader suggestions on workplace relations might prefer the authors' earlier book or more engaging titles like Robert Sutton's The No Asshole Rule.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?