Maximum Success

Maximum Success

Timothy Butler and James Waldrop HarperCollins Business, L19.99

This is a self-examination and coaching guide for personal behaviour in the workplace. The authors describe 12 "bad habits" that we all can lapse into and so fail to reach our full potential as business managers.

These habits range from feelings of inadequacy to insensitivity, loss of focus and disrespect for authority. You may be denied that top job by one of these habits, claim Butler and Waldrop, Harvard psychologists who run a psycho-analytical consultancy.

In part 1, the authors explore each of the bad habits and ask the reader if you are anything like the anonymous case study characters they describe (they have obviously met some far-fetched cases).

For each habit, they describe the effects this behaviour can have on fellow employees and the environment in which you work, as well as a number of top tips on how you can reverse the negative traits.

Part 2 diagnoses the root causes of these workplace problems and offers some advice on how to put things right.

The psychology is not subtle: buying this book could make you successful. But despite its naff title, there are many pearls of wisdom.

We all suffer from at least one of the 12 habits during a bad day at the office but I have to say this does not compel me to rush to the bookshop to order this one.

Ian Thompson Programme manager QPA