The Art of Office War is a daring, delightful, engaging and enlightening fusion of modern and ancient wisdoms, strategies and philosophies to understand, survive and prosper in the modern office.
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About the Author
Simon Drake was born in 1975 and currently resides in London.
'The Art of Office War' is his fourth book.
'The Art of Office War' is his fourth book.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Impressions and Reality -
The first impressions of an office are comforting: a warm welcome, an
important but not too imposing title, a nice ergonomically adjustable chair
and desk conforming to some workplace health and safety specification, and
lastly, friendly colleagues. It is a stable and rewarding environment, the
fruit of modernity and equality, and all that you need to make an effort
and contribute to society is at your fingertips. Be grateful that you are
in an office because it's a long way from eking an existence on the hostile
savannahs we humans and sabre-tooth tigers used to share, it's healthier
than an underground industrial revolution coalmine and in terms of
conducting business globally, it's hardly as terrifying as fighting (and
maybe dying) for your nation's economic superiority in a war over resources
in a savage land.
Over a third of the workforce in the West is employed within the knowledge
economy and so they spend their days in the humble office. In relation to
everything else this environment is a relaxing place to be, but for all the
comfort there are flipsides - it is not exactly a gravy train to an easy
life. Beneath the gentle hum of productivity, social chit-chat and civility
runs a vicious undercurrent of conduct, competitiveness, reward and status.
At stake is your weekly wage, power, and a sense of worth and purpose in a
world and time where nothing is certain.
The first impressions of an office are comforting: a warm welcome, an
important but not too imposing title, a nice ergonomically adjustable chair
and desk conforming to some workplace health and safety specification, and
lastly, friendly colleagues. It is a stable and rewarding environment, the
fruit of modernity and equality, and all that you need to make an effort
and contribute to society is at your fingertips. Be grateful that you are
in an office because it's a long way from eking an existence on the hostile
savannahs we humans and sabre-tooth tigers used to share, it's healthier
than an underground industrial revolution coalmine and in terms of
conducting business globally, it's hardly as terrifying as fighting (and
maybe dying) for your nation's economic superiority in a war over resources
in a savage land.
Over a third of the workforce in the West is employed within the knowledge
economy and so they spend their days in the humble office. In relation to
everything else this environment is a relaxing place to be, but for all the
comfort there are flipsides - it is not exactly a gravy train to an easy
life. Beneath the gentle hum of productivity, social chit-chat and civility
runs a vicious undercurrent of conduct, competitiveness, reward and status.
At stake is your weekly wage, power, and a sense of worth and purpose in a
world and time where nothing is certain.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm sat here at work reading this book in the post Christmas holiday lull and I can't stop laughing. I read the book when it first came out but the more you read, and the longer you work in offices, it the funnier it gets! Drake has some classic quotes on Permanent Staff vs. Temps like"...temporary staff are paid by the hour to do the work the permanents have learnt to tactfully and lazily avoid", and on dealing with the office drones "The meek may inherit the earth ... but until then use them as a buffer, a cushion and a net". This book will confirm your worst and most paranoid thoughts about your office. If you have no paranoid thoughts, and don't work in an office, it will give you an opportunity to laugh at those of us who do. Either way it's reassuringly funny and well worth a read. Only the very brave/disillusoned will use this as a manual for success, and it would be hilarious watching them climb the corporate ladder on the back of it!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By JC le singe
Format:Paperback
The Art of Office War
For every era of human history, a book entitled `The Art of War' has appeared, as if the mere title were a recurring myth in the human mind. The most famous is Sun Tzu's Art of War, considered the masterwork of the genre and the blueprint for all other Arts of War; less well known is the Art of War by Niccolo Machiavelli, a much maligned contemporary of the Borgias.
The Office Art of War is a fit addition to the ranks of such books, replete with quotations from great generals, military strategists, politicians and the authors of past Arts of War, naturally including Machiavelli and the earlier Sun Tzu. This is not so much a guide through the terrain of the modern office as an SAS Survival Guide for the professional jungle. This book lists the dangers and hazards of the office; how to recognise the various power plays and betrayals that are a daily feature; the real motivations behind boot-licking, childish antics and macho posturing, and how best to respond when confronted with these professional plagues. Like a good martial arts manual, The Art of Office War also explains how to use these same Dark Side teachings for your own advantage.
Delicate readers may be distressed to discover that this book is not Politically Correct; like the writings of Machiavelli, The Art of Office War is concerned not with how people should behave but with what they actually do: people resort to low tactics in all walks of life, especially the office. Arm yourself with the knowledge to pre-empt any catastrophe that your colleagues may be brewing to poison your career, and seriously consider laying your own malicious schemes well in advance; The Art of Office War is your codex of strategy.
For every era of human history, a book entitled `The Art of War' has appeared, as if the mere title were a recurring myth in the human mind. The most famous is Sun Tzu's Art of War, considered the masterwork of the genre and the blueprint for all other Arts of War; less well known is the Art of War by Niccolo Machiavelli, a much maligned contemporary of the Borgias.
The Office Art of War is a fit addition to the ranks of such books, replete with quotations from great generals, military strategists, politicians and the authors of past Arts of War, naturally including Machiavelli and the earlier Sun Tzu. This is not so much a guide through the terrain of the modern office as an SAS Survival Guide for the professional jungle. This book lists the dangers and hazards of the office; how to recognise the various power plays and betrayals that are a daily feature; the real motivations behind boot-licking, childish antics and macho posturing, and how best to respond when confronted with these professional plagues. Like a good martial arts manual, The Art of Office War also explains how to use these same Dark Side teachings for your own advantage.
Delicate readers may be distressed to discover that this book is not Politically Correct; like the writings of Machiavelli, The Art of Office War is concerned not with how people should behave but with what they actually do: people resort to low tactics in all walks of life, especially the office. Arm yourself with the knowledge to pre-empt any catastrophe that your colleagues may be brewing to poison your career, and seriously consider laying your own malicious schemes well in advance; The Art of Office War is your codex of strategy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars
1 review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sun-Tzu meets David Brent
7 Feb 2007
By Zach Everson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
In "The Art of Office War," Simon Drake combines the teachings of Sun-Tzu with the environment of "The Office." The result is a hilarious satire about what it takes to get ahead in the cubicle-lined battlefields of the 21st century.
"The Art of Office War" is both insightful and funny. "Everyone has their price, and if you don't believe it just look at your pay cheque." Yeah, that line hurt to read.
I'm a sole proprietor, but having read "The Art of Office War" I almost want to work in an office so I can test Simon Drake's advice. Almost.
"The Art of Office War" is both insightful and funny. "Everyone has their price, and if you don't believe it just look at your pay cheque." Yeah, that line hurt to read.
I'm a sole proprietor, but having read "The Art of Office War" I almost want to work in an office so I can test Simon Drake's advice. Almost.
›
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