Ever since Douglas McGregor (The Human Side of Enterprise 1960) proposed that human beings fall into two broad categories, labelled `X’ and `Y’, I’ve had a problem with the reality of this desired state. I, like most managers, want to believe that a `Theory Y’ approach is better, but the reality of my working life has been that a `Theory X’ management style seems to produce better results. I think I have become resigned to accepting that it’s an idea `out of time’.
However, Blaire Palmer argues that the workforce born between 1979 and 1994 are `Generation Y` – people who hold on to their values throughout their working life, and [seek] “work which has meaning for them”. Now you could argue that this is an oft-repeated argument, which is “nice-to-have”, but she presents powerful arguments and research to show that it makes financial sense too.
This willingness to objectively present the opposite, critical argument, and then try to overwhelm it with positive points, is a refreshing approach, and makes the book very readable. The key points (being true to yourself, changing yourself at work to stay consistent in your values, and so on) are consistently made through the deconstruction of the `5 Frustrations’. The book also focuses on the `rising manager’, and this is refreshing, as most books tend to assume a higher status. In summary, you’ll get a lot out of this book – even if you are a `Generation X’. –Manager Magazine, Oct 2010 Manager Magazine, Oct 2010
It’s time work worked better. After all, you are probably reading this at work. And there is probably a good reason why you would rather read this than work through your to do list. What’s Wrong With Work? explores why work is the way it is, why that is bad for people and bad for business and how you can do something about it. What’s more, you don’t have to be the Chief Executive or a Head of Department to make a massive difference. Anyone can make work work better.
From the Back Cover
Do you feel fulfilled at the end of the working week? Or do you have that niggling feeling that you didn’t really achieve anything?
Do you find meetings exhilarating and challenging or do you suspect that you have just wasted your whole morning?
Do you wonder why, when your company has selected such talented people, it doesn’t listen to them?
This vital handbook will show you how you can make a difference to your own working life and the working lives of the people around you by: scrapping waste-of-time meetings; tackling unfairness; knowing what your manager should be doing all day; destroying the silo mentality; and never again eating a soggy sandwich at your desk while you struggle to stay on top of your email.
Blaire Palmer’s down-to-earth advice could change your working life.
About the Author
Blaire Palmer is one of the most experienced and respected executive coaches, creative facilitators and trainers in the UK. Blaire began her career as a journalist, and spent many years as a top news producer, working on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme and Woman’s Hour. Her experience in posing powerful questions and shaping the agenda has proved invaluable in her subsequent career. Since 2000, Blaire has run her own coaching and consulting business, Optimum Executive Coaching Ltd (trading as Blaire Palmer). She has worked with a large number of clients, including GlaxoSmithKline, Airbus and Microsoft, gaining thousands of hours of coaching experience training leaders, working with teams and facilitating large events. Blaire is the author of two previous business titles The Hyper Creative Personality (New Holland, 2007) and The Recipe for Success (A&C Black, 2009).
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