Product reviews for Is Your Boss Mad?

How refreshing to finally see a user manual for dealing with your boss! Jill Walker, the Sussex based author has come up trumps with this definitive guide on dealing with, well lets just say, not the perfect manager. Jill herself acknowledges that although the book has not been written very seriously, the issues and advice she gives is deadly serious. With most of us spending a large proportion of our lives trying to please the person we work for and, at times finding ourselves working in unhappy circumstances, Is Your Boss Mad, aims to create a short cut from our unhappiness, to a strategy bringing about the changes to our work situation, and our attitude towards it.

Organised with chapter by chapter guidelines, covering nine profiles of “mad bosses' from Mr Long Hours trough the No Power Boss to the Boss In Love, Jill provides the reader with a quick check box to identify the traits of the boss in question at the beginning of each chapter, some case study examples and ideas on how to formulate a strategy to effectively deal with them. Each chapter is summarised with bullet points making it easier for the reader to remember Jill's recommendations.

One chapter in particular grabbed my attention focussing on the interview process we all dread when looking for a career progression or change. No need to worry, the interview also gives you a chance to assess the person you would be working for and see if they possess any of the unsavoury characteristics the book describes.

As a senior manager myself, the book made me think how my team would describe my style or indeed conclude that I am mad. I hope not and will continue to assess my own actions using the book as a guideline so the team continue to think I'm sane. Sure this could be debated!

Jill herself states “I have suffered at the hands of a poor boss, and it's hell to go through. This book was written with a passion borne of experience and I sincerely hope it will help people who find themselves in similar situations.” Since reading the book Jill I am sure it will.

So, is your boss mad? Read it and find out exactly how mad they are! Jill's passion for the subject definitely shows through in the writing style and I am sure readers will find humour, identity and a possible changed view of their position should they find themselves working for someone who fits one of the profiles contained within its covers. I must make a mental note here, Ill look out for copies in my teams' offices, just to make sure!