Beyond Bullsh*t: Straight-Talk at Work

This book was truely wonderful & easy to read. Dr. Culbert writes in a way that is clear and, if you have spent much time in the corporate world, accurate! Pick up a copy just to get a different perspective and feel comfortable with straight talk.

Why is it that we can work all day on a project and feel energized and ready to tackle the world, while conversely, we can have one difficult conversation at work and fell drained and unmotivated? As Sam Culbert explains "It's all the bullsh*t I have to endure." Culbert isn't afraid to call "it" like it is. He starts by telling us that this is a self-interested world and that bullsh*t is part of it. He tells us that bullsh*t is sometimes necessary and that straight-talk is not easy. It is often hard to uncover the truth but the author provides us with a process to interpret and uncover the meaning of words and behaviors of others. A Professor of Management at UCLA, Anderson School of Management, Sam Culbert brings life, consulting, career and teaching experience together to help us peer into the other person and ourselves to encourage and guide us in developing straight-talk relationships at work. Working in sales and marketing, I was drawn to the "active questioning" section to help gain insight into the motivations of others. If you find "Beyond Bullsh*t: Straight-Talk at Work" insightful and empowering you may also enjoy other Sam Culbert piece's like "Mind-Set Management" and "Don't Kill the Bosses!." It was through these pieces that I started to the journey to understand the psychology of what drives behavior in action in the workplace. Culbert provides models that help you "stage others for success" by taking into consideration their own self-interested motives and biased view of work events. Before you can effectively manage or interact effectively you will find that taking the time to understand what drives the other person or group is the way in. If I can be straight with you - by understanding other peoples' self-interests I hope to grow and move ahead myself!

This is a must read book for anyone in an organization - even more so -- if you lead or aspire to lead in that organization! Culbert's wise words and witty articulations help readers understand the organizational value of the straight-talk relationship and ways to frame discussion that can help foster more of "it". His "I-speak" and the innovative performance "pre-view" process are a must read for any leader. Personally, I have found that I have been able to integrate and develop more substantially as an organizational and people leader since reading Culbert's book. It also helped me understand the mysteries of an organization that often felt frustrating. Although new - this book is showing up in offices all over my organization and has already started to make a positive organizational impact: more straight-talk and trusting relationships and the dialogue to get there.

Culbert cuts through the confusion of organizaitonal politics and offers a remarkably clear perspective on how one can empower oneself unilaterlally, and thereby exercise significant positive influence, regardless of what the "other guys" are doing. This book is a welcome breath of fresh air for managers and leaders navigating the complexities of organizational life.

I was lucky enough to read a pre-publication version of Sam Culbert's book. I was taken with by the power of Sam's arguments and evidence for truth-telling in organizational life. I was equally taken with the power and charm of Sam's writing voice and personal experiences. I was delighted to endorse the book and encourage anyone who strives to become an effective and ethical leader or follower to read this lovely piece of work.