Tuesday, January 01, 2008
IN THE MIDDLE
I just finished Jonathan Ferris' wonderful
I have lived this book; or a lot of it.
Much of it is the collective wit and wisdom of middle managers in a mid size company; the wit and wisdom that has nothing to do with work.
The bickering, the rumors, the gossip, the lame way that people with a little time on their hands can put off their corporate assignments.
I have always been in a group like this.
Well, until I had my own company and this workload was taken up by others who worked for me.
I was often a ringleader. One of the reasons that when I was in management training I had a feel for the reality of work.
I probably honed my leadership skills in this environment.
Maybe you will feel at home in this book too. Any time you have spent at the water cooler or on a smoking break will immediately inform you about what these people are up or down to.
The book is hilarious in an acid kind of way and very telling. Another reason that I felt right at home.
Eventually, as in real life, this book will turn on you.
Harsh economic realities begin to nip at the collective heels.
People begin to, rightfully, feel insecure.
The layoffs begin.
The denial mounts.
We begin to see under the smart exteriors.
Acting out becomes more involuntary. (You didn't think all acting out was unconscious did you?)
There is a great ending.
Oh. And there is a parallel story about the woman who manages this group.
I will keep this and perhaps read it again.
The book is on the top of many 'best' lists for 2007 and was a nominee for the National Book Award.
Labels: books
