Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace

In Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace, business school professor and consultant Christine Porath considers how pervasive incivility is and how damaging such a culture--or even one uncivil employee--can be to businesses. She provides examples from many fields--including medicine, technology, food service and sports--and backs them up with scientific research. The strong influence of civility on employee productivity, contentment and profit becomes abundantly clear. Simple company policies requiring employees to know everyone else's names, for example, have an impact far greater than increased pleasantries.

Porath offers a four-step plan for employers and managers to encourage and maintain a culture that lifts others up, values positive participation and will ultimately be more profitable. Though geared toward supervisors, Mastering Civility can benefit anyone who wants to feel happier and be more effective at work. Readers will be able to identify instances of discourteousness in their own lives, and Porath offers helpful ways of framing these experiences to encourage future success. Activities like self-tests to measure one's incivility level are eye opening, and a resources section points to next steps for teams committing to fostering a more respectful environment.

Porath advocates effectively for why individuals and organizations should pursue more civil behaviors and policies, and offers ideas and strategic planning advice for how to do so. Mastering Civility is a valuable resource for professionals who want to enjoy their jobs more, see their teams thrive and have more pleasant, productive interactions with subordinates and supervisors alike. --Richael Best, bookseller, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, Wash.

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