McKinsey Quarterly Article on Building the Civilized Workplace

The McKinsey Quarterly published an online article last week that I wrote, which is based on the No Asshole Rule. It mentions the name of the book, although (out of deference to some of their more sensitive readers) we all agreed that using the word "jerk" most of the time was best. I confess, perhaps the self-censoring was a bit spineless, but I am impressed that a company that is so client-focused published the article.  I was also pleased to publish the article in the Quarterly because they have so many "C-level" readers -- people who can influence companies to implement the no asshole rule, or at least, slow or stop the spread of asshole poisoning. 

The article is called Building the Civilized Workplace and you can read it (with free registration) by clicking on the link. I just received a note from McKinsey Partner Stuart Flack that "it was #1 in the e-Quarterly last week, with 20,000 readers." The article will also be published in hard copy in a forthcoming issue of the McKinsey Quarterly.  The article starts by introducing readers to SucccessFactors, especially CEO Lars Dalgaard and how the company espouses and enforces their no assholes rule (and how it is part of what they have done to become so successful). Along these lines, SucccessFactors' executive Stacey Epstein just sent me a picture of Lars standing next to a sign they just put up at their office in San Mateo.  I thought you might like it. As it suggests, Lars is not your usual dull and cautious CEO -- and his speech is refreshingly devoid of mind-numbing jargon monoxide.

Comments

[Jerome Alexander]

Great article. We more voices in the wilderness. Everyone needs to speak up and deny the jerks that have no business in management from gaining power over others. I'm trying to do my part.