I Hate People!: Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What You Want Out of Your Job

As a current corporate director of human resources, I am on a continual quest for books on people management. That is, "good" books on people management. With this work by Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon I have found a book that is both good and fun to read. In my role in HR, the majority of my work deals with the conflicts between people that hate each other. It's true. When we really boil down our human resources related issues, it usually involves two different `types' that cannot get along. I noted these details in one chapter of my book, Wingtips with Spurs however Littman and Hershon have carried my observations to a more in-depth level. While I applaud anyone that can pull off the `solo' career, for the vast majority this is just not possible. In fact, even with a solo career, you will be faced with having to occasionally interact with Mr. Stumbling Block, Ms.Wrong Turn and Time Waster, Jr. This book is primarily written for people that believe it would be best to work alone. I think this way of thinking is wrong on several levels but I fully understand the mindset. For those of us who must live in a normal society both inside and outside the corporate arena, Jerry Spence's How to Argue & Win Every Time: At Home, At Work, In Court, Everywhere, Everyday offers an instructive read on how to get along with almost everyone. I have read all of the others by the Big Name authors and Spence's book stands head and shoulders above them on actual practicality and usefulness. I also highly recommend Sylvia Lafair's great work in Don't Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success. If you decide it is better to get along with people rather than avoid them, either of these books will set you on the right path. Again, I must say this is a good book and very fun way to spend the afternoon. I hope you find this review helpful. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR

As a former corporate executive in the entertainment industry, I know a little something about jerks. This book not only nails the descriptions of the types of jerks you can expect to encounter in the work-world, it gives you great strategies for dealing with them. Having left the corporate world (happily, I might add), I'm now a business coach and plan to give this book to every one of my clients. In fact, I highly recommend it to anyone who has a job, a career, or has to deal with people! Libby Gill, Business Coach, Brand Strategist, Author of the upcoming You Unstuck

As a devoted "soloist" I loved what the authors of this book had to say! I can't tell you how many teams I've been on where the work really got done by just one or two people, while the rest of the team coasted. And way too much of my time in corporate America was spent in useless, unproductive meetings! Bravo to the authors for calling this out and giving us ways to fight it! "I Hate People" is an entertaining and informative read. I highly recommend it!

Funny, entertaining, while all the time giving great advice about dealing with people. A must read even if, like me, you are your own boss!

I Hate People understands your co-workers, but more importantly, I Hate People helps any employee understand their own habits (good and bad) and how to improve their ability to perform in the workplace. Not only does it amaze me how many traits my co-workers possess that I Hate People warns you about, but it was equally amazing to see my own bad habits in the work place and how to correct it. I never want to be known as a Minute Man, but I have spent far too much time hanging on someone's cubicle, or being a bulldozer when things aren't going well. It was very eye opening for me - considering that I try my best to be a good employee and co-worker, but often I fall into the trap that Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon warn the reader about. Without seeing my own faults, I could not have improved my own ability to better myself in the office. I Hate People is an extremely humorous guide on how to cut out the bad behavior, improve my ability to take charge on my own, and ultimately be rewarded by having a more productive, peaceful workday. Although I cringed when I saw that I possessed some of those awful traits - I know that having recognized these habits, I know how to eliminate them. Great book!