The No Asshole Rule audiobook cover - Building a Civilised Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't

The No Asshole Rule

Building a Civilised Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't

Robert I. Sutton

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Corporate CultureManagement & Leadership

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The No Asshole Rule
Identifying Assholes & Their Harm+
Company Strategies & Culture+
Individual Survival & Application+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
What distinguishes a 'certified asshole' from someone who is just having a bad day?
  • A. They express their hostility physically rather than verbally.
  • B. Their hostile behavior is a continuous, long-term part of their character.
  • C. They treat absolutely everyone they meet with equal disrespect.
  • D. They are completely unaware of how their behavior affects others.
Question 2 of 9
Why is tolerating assholes considered a costly mistake for businesses?
  • A. It inevitably leads to lawsuits from unhappy clients.
  • B. It forces the company to pay higher wages to compensate for the hostile environment.
  • C. It causes the best employees, who have other options, to leave for better workplaces.
  • D. It requires managers to spend too much time mediating interpersonal disputes.
Question 3 of 9
How should a company view an employee who is highly talented or difficult to replace, but constantly makes colleagues feel upset?
  • A. As a necessary evil that requires special management.
  • B. As incompetent, regardless of their other qualities or abilities.
  • C. As a 'temporary asshole' who needs coaching and therapy.
  • D. As an ambitious worker who should be promoted to an independent role.
Question 4 of 9
According to the text, what is one effective way a company can reduce the status differences that lead to workplace bullying?
  • A. Implement a strict dress code for all employees.
  • B. Keep wage differences between employees as narrow as possible.
  • C. Eliminate all management positions and adopt a flat hierarchy.
  • D. Rotate leadership roles on a weekly basis.
Question 5 of 9
Why are aggressive people often mistakenly regarded as competent in the business world?
  • A. Because human brains have evolved to associate aggression with high status.
  • B. Because aggressive employees are statistically proven to generate more revenue.
  • C. Because they are the only ones willing to make difficult financial decisions.
  • D. Because modern business schools teach aggression as a core management tactic.
Question 6 of 9
What subtle approach is recommended to foster a culture of cooperation rather than internal competition?
  • A. Banning all individual performance bonuses.
  • B. Forcing employees to participate in mandatory team-building retreats.
  • C. Changing company vocabulary to emphasize words like 'we', 'help', and 'community'.
  • D. Assigning employees to work in open-plan offices without cubicles.
Question 7 of 9
What does the author mean by comparing being an asshole to a 'virus'?
  • A. Asshole behavior is a medical condition that requires psychological treatment.
  • B. Being an asshole is highly contagious and exposure can cause you to adopt the behavior.
  • C. The behavior usually flares up in cycles, much like seasonal illnesses.
  • D. You can build a permanent immunity to it after your first exposure.
Question 8 of 9
What strategy is suggested for dealing with an asshole when you cannot physically avoid them?
  • A. Respond to their aggression with equal force to establish dominance.
  • B. Report their every infraction to human resources immediately.
  • C. Build emotional distance by remembering the problem is temporary and not your fault.
  • D. Attempt to become their friend so they will treat you better.
Question 9 of 9
Why is it so crucial to have zero tolerance for assholes, even if they are vastly outnumbered by nice people?
  • A. Because one asshole will eventually convince the nice people to quit.
  • B. Because negative things affect our mood five times more than positive things.
  • C. Because clients will only remember the one bad interaction they had.
  • D. Because it is a legal requirement for maintaining a safe workplace environment.

The No Asshole Rule — Full Chapter Overview

The No Asshole Rule Summary & Overview

The No Asshole Rule delves into the problem of bullying or aggressive co-workers, who in many cases rise to management positions. Sutton provocatively labels them assholes.

The book lays out the effect these employees can have on a business, and gives advice on how to develop an asshole-free environment.

Who Should Listen to The No Asshole Rule?

  • Anyone who wants to learn how to identify and deal with assholes in the workplace
  • Every office worker, whether employee, manager, consultant or intern
  • Anyone who wants to avoid being seen as an asshole

About the Author: Robert I. Sutton

Robert I. Sutton (*1954) is a Professor at Stanford Business School. He has advised numerous international companies and published several popular scientific books.

The book draws on his extensive experiences working for some of the world’s biggest companies and best-known CEOs such as Steve Jobs.

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