It seems these days there are dozens of authors who are competing for our attention in trying to convince us that they have the magic formula pertaining to management theory and employee behavior and lets face it, not everyone of these so-called experts should even attempt to show us the way. However, former marine Jos Astorga, who in no way professes to be an expert, is the exception, and his book or manifesto as he terms it, A Bull in a Glass House is an excellent primer in presenting the right message to management and anyone working for someone else in that as he states, "we must all dig deep within ourselves and initiate change-change that will ultimately improve and enrich our lives."
Astorga gave twenty years of his life to the same organization, and according to him, at the end of his loyal and faithful service he remained empty. His decision to write a book about his experiences and perceptions of the corporate world was motivated in that he believes people need to know what to expect from working for management that values the dollar and personal perks more than their employees they should be serving. Conversely, as Astorga mentions, it is equally important that employees of all levels understand the importance of relationship building, commitment, and passion.
The nitty-gritty of the book and where it delivers is its riveting fifty-three Bull's Rules that are set out and explored in one entire chapter. In essence, these rules reflect Astorga's business savvy that provide a sound foundation for his message and as he states, although they may not all encompassing, "they are a modest attempt at leading, sharing knowledge and experience as much as possible, bridging the gap between management and the employee and between the employee (including management) and perception." It is here where Astorga blends his business experience and his days in Marine Corps boot camp with clear, accessible advice pertaining to such corporate topics as communication, listening and discipline, hierarchy, empathy, team work and fighting complacency, performance, motivation, unselfishness, appreciation, praise, integrity involvement, flexibility, initiative, involvement, humility, human resources and many others where readers can give themselves reality-checks to assess the impact of some of Astorga's perceptions on their own working relationships.
For example, the rule pertaining to flexibility states that a flexible employee is resilient and valuable, Moreover, adaptability must be a part if every employee's repertoire. Another one pertaining to mentoring is quite on the mark when Astorga asserts, "Be a mentor without being a preacher. There is a difference in someone who honestly mentors and helps another from someone who pushes his views and constantly wants credit and recognition for his interference."
A Bull in a Glass House is written in a down-to-earth and occasionally witty and provocative style. Moreover, regardless of the result, readers will without doubt walk away with a good deal of useful insights and information and perhaps heed Astorga's advice to working people to get off their butts, take responsibility for their lives, and do something valuable in their time. As underlined, "anything that ethically brings us closer to independence and some security for ourselves and loves ones is valuable. Anything." Unfortunately, because of our conditioning, many of us accept the status quo, however, we must realize that it is acceptable to want something different or better. Furthermore, it is important to grasp that it is not wise to endure comfortable complacency thinking that after all you have a steady paycheck and security. Bear in mind that there are no guarantees and security today is non-existent as we are living in a volatile workplace where one day you can be sitting on the top of the world and the next you are out on your behind looking for employment.
As an added bonus, Astorga has included three very helpful appendixes pertaining to getting motivated, the common sense approach to managing your dollar and streamlining project management that will certainly prove useful to management and labor alike. This definitely is a timely book and one that managers should seek out.
Norm Goldmanis the Editor & Publisher of the Book Reviewing & Author Interviewing site bookpleasures.com. Bookpleasures.com comprises over 25 international reviewers that come from all walks of life and that review all genre.
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