Territorial Games

Simmons provides "names" for this evolutionary adaptation of behavior that we experience everyday such as the strategic noncompliance game, the occupation game, the camouflage game and the intimidation game. Territorial Games defines how behavior in the workplace is driven from physiological, survival instincts that over-power rational thinking. With humor and insight, Simmons reviews the emotions involved in protecting "territory" in today's organizations. The 10 games are reviewed using real-life, painful and funny examples of business situations. The book will aid you in spotting the behavior in others, because "of course you don't do this." Well, you can check that using the self-tests provided for each game. Simmons' practical approach does not suggest that the games will go away. She does suggest that you can understand them better, develop better ways to deal with the games and begin playing more constructive games. Recommended for everyone who has ever felt like they were in a sporting competition, on a battlefield, or playing survivor in the workplace. It certainly provided me with a renewed clarity about law firm dynamics. You are sure to have a laugh reading and recognizing yourself and others. More importantly, this can be a new lens to understanding behavior in the workplace.

As executive staff to a volunteer board, our turf wars and inability to communicate were hamstringing the efforts of our organization, and grinding staff work to a halt. This book allowed many light bulbs to go off about our inadvertent (and not!) behavior, and we even got the author in to moderate a session. Every single one of us realized what were doing to add to the problems, and how we could stop.

Simply put, reading this book helped me see more--in terms of my own behavior and others'. Ever looked back on tough work situations you've dealt with in the past and thought 'How ridiculous I was then...if only I knew then what I knew now, I'd have acted differently'? As much as I enjoyed reading the book, I must admit I felt that sting; I sat there reading about these 10 games that she has named, described (with some painfully funny stories of her own), and provided strategies for combating, and I thought 'I really needed this book years ago!' If you want to know more about how people tick and how to deal with it, get this book. Be prepared to feel stung with a higher awareness of how people operate when they are trying to protect/increase their territory in organizations--you will definitely recognize the behaviors. And more powerfully still, be prepared to have your eyes opened about some games that you, in fact, just may be playing.

I now recognize behavior that I was unaware of in the past. Also, I can see what I do as a manager that increases or decreases territoriality. This type of behavior is such a drain and hurts people's effectiveness and productivity. I think this should get a lot of discussion in organizations.

Annette Simmons has written one of the most important (and fun to read) management books of this decade. The subject matter makes it an important book. Simmons' style make it unique among management books. This book compares very well to "It Takes Two" by Gene Boccialetti (Jossey-Bass, 1995); in both books, the information is immediately useful in the real world. Using an adaptation of the "games" model in Transactional Analysis, Simmons takes us through the Territorial Games played in organizations very clearly and simply. As you progress through the book you will find yourself saying, "been there, done that." At the end, when you are ready to ask, "So What?" she suggests ways to stop playing the games. Because of her clear style in both writing and thinking, I hope she'll be writing another book...soon. This book is a good read for managers at any level. It will be around for a long time. Roy Mayhugh Phd