Company FATheads: How to Bounce Bully Behaviors & Boost the Bottom Line

By Susan Chieko Eliason

Hal Marshall, analytical and circumspect executive with San Francisco Inks (SFinks), breaks with tradition when he abruptly invites young Jack Masters and Jack's mother, Paige, to help him save a struggling corporate experiment in America's heartland. Does the trio have what it takes to combat who-or what-holds SFinks-Painestown in a death grip? Is it too late to avert disaster? "What a delightful way to approach such pervasive yet sensitive human resources issues. The dialogue sparkles with humor." -Sharon Downing Jarvis, best-selling author "Telling a story is always an invitation for learning. The story of SFinks-Painestown reveals much about behaviors that impede productivity. The authors cleverly invite us to consider whether these behaviors get our attention just because we get irritated or, rather, because we seek to illuminate the consequences of these behaviors. This is a story being told daily in the workplace and one from which we all can learn " -Dr. Kate Kirkham, Director, Dyer Institute for Leading Organizational Change, Marriott School of Management Cover design: John R. Uibel (http: //johnuibel.com)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595437966
• ISBN13: 9780595437962
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very Interesting Reading

Reading this book is a great way to learn about dealing with personality and behavioral problems at work. The ideas can transfer to other situations, too. I found it easy to understand and follow. I also enjoyed the fiction framework which made it so much more fun to read than a text book type presentation. I don't work in a company, I'm a retired school teacher, but I felt that this book was on the mark with some valuable information if you are having problems with annoying people.

"A Good Read"

Eliason and Nibley have coined a new term, "Company Fatheads," which may catch on throughout the corporate world. Through this short, fun, engaging novel, readers become acquainted with quintessential personality types we all encounter in business settings from time to time: big mouths, grumblers, know-it-alls, harassers, 2-faced double-dealers, flirts, and climbers. Set in the context of a novel, they all come to life--and we come to understand them a bit more than through any other means (even a case study). More important, all this leads to the authors' (very!) short primer on managing unacceptable performance issues and handling inappropriate behaviors. We are able to see how these management issues are handled effectively at this fictional company. Of course, this is NOT a treatise on human resource management; for that, go elsewhere. _Company Fatheads_ is instead, an excellent introduction to problematic people and situations that can sap even a small company's efficiency. I recommend it!

I KNOW these people! I've WORKED with these people!

And, until now, I've just not been sure how to DEAL with these people! 'Company FATheads' is a book that I picked up out of curiosity, couldn't put down because of its engaging storyline, and immediately re-read to take notes on the answers to my own workplace dilemmas. This book is a fun and quick read thanks to the delightful storyline. But it's also a simple and effective reference manual for resolving some of the stickiest of HR problems. So entertaining, I didn't realize I was also learning powerful new skills. Even my husband, an HR director, enjoyed this book. He was very impressed with the information and the flowcharted-action plans for improving the environment of any workplace. This engaging little book has a happy ending for the reader, not just for its characters! The reader ends the book empowered with the knowledge of simple and executable processes designed to create healthier workplace relationships. Reducing HR dramas can increase morale (and profits!) in a company of any size.