Winning the Rat Race at Work

by Peter R. Garber

Reviews

Finally, a book that talks honestly about poor managers and bosses and how to survive them! Garber describes the various types of managers and the characteristics of each -- a great set of tools for identifying which is which -- and the methodologies for surviving each type. It is obvious a great deal of thought and research went into preparing the book. Garber's experience as a human resources professional allowed him to witness first hand who these manager types are and what they do. Virtually all employees -- and certainly managers -- should read this book. I submit that if people did, and assessed themselves honestly (an altogether different challenge), significant change would occur in the workplace. In my law enforcement and private sector careers, I have seen all these types of managers and often asked the question how they got into positions of authority, and more importantly, once they were there, how did they survive. The answers are typically consistent across the board. Garber provides the reader with the one book they need for the workplace. This would be an excellent book for management training courses and seminars, as well as college and university business and other administrative programs.
- William E. Cooper for Reader Views

The most useful career management handbook that we have seen.
- HRWeb Review

Winning the Rat Race at Work provides a comprehensive analysis of the many factors at play in successfully navigating the workplace. It is interactive and provides self-analysis through charts, models and advice. The sections on awareness of pack politics and strategies for navigating organizational politics are lessons that I intend to revisit and remind myself on a constant basis for use in my career. Things would be different in my career if I had successfully applied Peter's insights and advice on politics.
- Leo A. Little, Employment Council, Waste Management Inc.

It is an interesting experience reviewing a "management book" after retirement. However, it was an interesting expeirence to be able to look back on "what might have been." Actually, the term "management" is a misnomer. The book, Winning the Rat Race at Work, written by Peter R. Garber is more of a "Personal Career Development Guide." A book that should be read, studied and periodicially reviewed throughout one's career.

The book is an excellent tool to help evaluate the progress (or lack of) in one's career and may be studied in three different areas. First, Winning the Rat Race at Work provides a great deal of information concerning the maze, pack politics, work personalities and networking. I describe management as "a process of making the right decisions and planning, for which there are no clear-cut answers, based on incomplete and subjective information." Add to that definition: "The most effective leaderhsip style depends on the personality of the leader, the subordinate and the situation in which the event happens." Peter Garber does well in providing the background information for this, but in addition, the various exercises enable the reader to convert it into knowledge. Some of the exercises might be laborious, but all have a definite goal in mind.

If the reader combines the information and knowledge, hopefully wisdom will follow. Wisdom may be defined as "using knowledge in an effective way." The book does not provide answers -- only the student can do that. It does, however, provide guidelines and directions that support successful career development.

Although I enjoyed the entire book, there are certain areas that were of the most interest. Garber's concept of the "maze" (including luck) is basically the main theme. He indicates that the maze is actually the person's career and that he or she will be in the maze until retirement (as was I). Another area of special interest is the longest chapter, "Pack Politics." The author uses a bold and possibly risky approach to a subject on which very little has been written before. I did find it intriguing and insightful. "Personalities at Work" was the topic with which I was the most familiar. It's based on solid evidence used by several consulting companies, but the author effectively tailors the subject to one's career by defining natural and learned personalities. The chapter on networking seemed a little Machiavellian to me at first, but relationships do play an important role in successful careers -- there is no reason why they can't be supportive. Possible mentors are always appreciated as well as supportive co-workers.

How did I like the book? I have placed orders for our daughter and two sons who are in critical stages of their own Rat Race, and another one for our grandson who is just entering the maze.
- Harold Shafer, Director (Retired), PPG Industries