The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace: Know What Boosts Your Value, Kills Your Chances, and Will Make You Happier

I was originally asked by the publisher to read and write a review of Cy Wakeman's book when it was first released, and I did so. The book immediately delighted me because the author's "voice" was almost identical to mine, using some of the same phrasing and word choices to describe some of the important matters that I have identified in my work with teams and organizations. I even joked with colleagues that "she must read my blog". That feeling of "I could have written this", as delightful as it was, did not last. Wakeman's Employee Value Equation is eloquent and simply brilliant. Her practical application of "emotional expensiveness" makes sense of workplace drama, its negative effects and what to do about your role in allowing and contributing to the drama make the this book worth 10 times its price, but there is so much more. I recently ordered a dozen copies of this book to use in a challenging client engagement. My client organization has identified a dozen performers who say they are interested in career advancement, but seldom engage themselves in their own development. They tended to operate from the standpoint of "give me the promotion and I'll improve." Yet the company is committed to promoting from within when possible, and they wanted to make it probable yet had no system in place. I used Reality-Based Rules and some of my own resources as the material for an 8-week group coaching process as my proposed solution and it has worked brilliantly. Their first assignment was to read the first two chapters. The employees became immediately engaged and nearly all read the book in its entirety before our second session two weeks later. Since then, they have calculated their Employee Value Equation scores and are working on personal developed plans with energy, enthusiasm and personal responsibility (rather than complacency) seldom shown before in their careers. I have recommended this book to many of my colleagues and I give it 5 stars with my highest recommendation to anyone who wants to add greater value and make a dramatic (pun intended) improvement to their workplace.

I am a busy leader, juggling work, family, sports, etc., so I don't have a ton of time to read. I love audiobooks for this reason. I threw this on the mac and synced it with my phone and I was off. I listened to this on the road as I travel quite a bit, and it was super convenient. As for the material - if you are a leader this is a must read! I have seen Cy speak as the keynote twice now, and this is the leadership style that I tend to pattern myself after. I have read/listened to TONS of leadership books, and this one is quite simply the best I have seen. I have been in leadership for 15 years and seen a lot, there isn't much that this one won't prepare you for. So this one is good for the leader to read, but it is targeted for the employees. I put this on the yearly goals last year for my team to read and then we had conversations about it at mid year. Meanwhile, there is a leader's version of this book that is very easy to find -called Reality Based Leadership, you can get it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Based-Leadership-Restore-Workplace-Excuses/dp/0470613505 If you are a leader - get these two valuable resources - fantastic stuff here!

I read several business books a year, and this is far and away the best and most applicable book I've read in recent memory. I was able to immediately put Cy Wakeman's teachings to work, both as an individual and as a manager. I bought copies for my entire team to read. Her approach to the self-evaluation is brilliant, and the 'stick with the facts' strategy is something that can be implemented immediately. I've already seen a change in my own behavior, as well as the culture of our team. A must read at every stage of your career!

Practical and insightful!

This book helped me better understand my own behavior and the behavior of others. I have used Cy's techniques to help me avoid creating drama in life, and to avoid getting sucked into other people's drama, especially at work. It is easy to read and understand. This is a book I will re-read many times over to hard wire these techniques over time.

Just what we needed...a guide for the worker. Cy offers great advice and even gives an evaluation tool to score your value to the company. Its easy to follow and most of all it makes sense. The take home message is that your attitude or emotional expensiveness is the most important factor in your success. I find this to be true at home or work. Lead, follow or get out of the way!

Excellent and practical for book for all leaders. I love Cy’s reality-based leadership!

This book has profound insight, and should be read by all employees, regardless of position within the organization. I plan to share with the employees I supervise, and upper management/HR at our company. I’ve been to one of Cy’s presentations and have all of the her books!

The book is in like new condition tell marks are tattered great price would purchase more from this seller again. Super fast shipping.

not a cure-all, but some helpful information that will make your work life better. Very good information on emotional expensiveness.