What is *Jerks at Work* by Tessa West about?

*Jerks at Work* exposes seven toxic workplace archetypes – including Gaslighters, Credit-Stealers, and Bulldozers – and provides science-backed strategies to neutralize their impact. Using decades of research, NYU psychologist Tessa West explains how to protect your career from manipulative coworkers while avoiding becoming a jerk yourself. Key tactics include limiting a Bulldozer’s influence in meetings and mirroring a Gaslighter’s tactics defensively.

Who should read *Jerks at Work*?

This book is essential for professionals facing toxic colleagues, HR teams managing interpersonal conflicts, and managers seeking to foster healthier teams. It’s particularly valuable for high achievers targeted by Credit-Stealers and employees coping with neglectful bosses or micromanagers. West’s actionable frameworks also benefit those transitioning to leadership roles.

Is *Jerks at Work* worth reading?

Yes – it’s a pragmatic guide for navigating common but underaddressed workplace conflicts. While not focused on systemic fixes, its archetype-based approach (like handling Kiss Up/Kick Downers) offers immediate tactical relief. The book’s strength lies in translating academic research into real-world scripts, though readers seeking organizational-level solutions may need supplemental resources.

How does *Jerks at Work* suggest dealing with a Gaslighter?

West advises using a Gaslighter’s own tactics against them: document conversations, restate their contradictions publicly (“So to confirm, you’re saying X now vs. Y yesterday?”), and enlist allies to verify realities. This approach disrupts their manipulation without escalating conflict, as Gaslighters rely on isolation and ambiguity.

What’s the best way to handle a Credit-Stealer at work?

Preempt theft by announcing contributions early (“I’ll present the analytics I developed”) and cc stakeholders on progress emails. West emphasizes “credit anchoring” – linking your work to measurable outcomes in group settings. For chronic offenders, strategically praise their “collaboration skills” to managers while highlighting your specific inputs.

Can *Jerks at Work* help with a micromanaging boss?

Yes. The book recommends “controlled autonomy” – providing ultra-specific progress updates preemptively (“I’ll send the draft by 3 PM Thursday”) to satisfy their need for control while carving out decision-making space. Gradually negotiating check-in frequency reductions using data (“Our last 3 projects met deadlines with weekly updates”) can reset expectations.

What are the 7 workplace jerk archetypes identified?

1. **Kiss Up/Kick Downers** (charms superiors, abuses subordinates) 2. **Credit-Stealers** (claims others’ work) 3. **Bulldozers** (dominates conversations/decisions) 4. **Free Riders** (shirks team responsibilities) 5. **Micromanagers** (excessive control) 6. **Neglectful Bosses** (avoids guidance) 7. **Gaslighters** (distorts reality)

How does Tessa West advise confronting a Bulldozer?

Silence their dominance by ensuring they speak last in meetings. Pre-meeting ally-building (“Let’s rotate speaking order”) and structured agendas prevent Bulldozers from hijacking discussions. West also suggests reframing their interruptions as enthusiasm (“Alex is passionate, but let’s hear Sarah’s full idea”).

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Jerks at Work

Tessa West

3.57 (564 Reviews)

Business Psychology Relationship Self-growth

Aperçu

Points Clés

Auteur

Questions Fréquentes

Tired of toxic colleagues? NYU psychologist Tessa West's "Jerks at Work" delivers science-backed strategies for handling seven workplace saboteurs. Endorsed by influential thinkers like Scott Galloway, it's the career insurance Annie Duke calls "breezy" yet transformative for navigating office politics.

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The key insight emerging from West's research: the most effective antidote to workplace jerks isn't isolation or avoidance but developing a robust network of workplace relationships.

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Jerks at Work

Tessa West

3.57 (564 Reviews)

Business Psychology Relationship Self-growth

Aperçu

Points Clés

Auteur

Questions Fréquentes

Explorez Votre Façon d'Apprendre

Résumé Rapide9min

Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur

Approfondissement42min

Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples

Fiches mémo9 idées

Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide

Fun22min

Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante

Meilleure citation de Jerks at Work

The key insight emerging from West's research: the most effective antidote to workplace jerks isn't isolation or avoidance but developing a robust network of workplace relationships.

Dans le même genre

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Points clés

When Office Nightmares Come to Life

00:00

Ever had that sinking feeling when you realize your dream job has become a nightmare because of one person? You're not alone. In today's workplace, jerks aren't just annoying - they're systematic predators who undermine your well-being, productivity, and career prospects. The typical responses we resort to - venting to colleagues, emotionally checking out, gossiping, direct confrontation, or running to management - often make things worse. Even well-meaning supervisors frequently freeze when faced with these situations, either because they depend on the problematic employee's skills, feel unprepared to handle interpersonal conflicts, or instinctively avoid confrontation. Workplace relationship problems don't stay neatly contained within office walls. They follow you home, affecting your mental health, family relationships, and quality of life. The truth is, even seasoned professionals with impressive credentials struggle with difficult colleagues. Career experience doesn't automatically translate to conflict management skills. More surprisingly, workplace jerks aren't simply bitter or incompetent employees - many are highly skilled social strategists who deliberately weaponize their interpersonal talents for personal gain. The most effective protection isn't isolation but developing a robust network of workplace relationships across departments and hierarchical levels.

Power Players: Kiss Up/Kick Downers and Idea Vampires

Conversation Dominators and Team Disruptors

Management Extremes: Micromanagers and Absentee Leaders

Psychological Manipulators: Dealing with Gaslighters

Creating a Jerk-Free Workplace Culture

Prevention Strategies and Long-Term Solutions

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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage, maintenant

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Points clés

When Office Nightmares Come to Life

Power Players: Kiss Up/Kick Downers and Idea Vampires

Conversation Dominators and Team Disruptors

Management Extremes: Micromanagers and Absentee Leaders

Psychological Manipulators: Dealing with Gaslighters

Creating a Jerk-Free Workplace Culture

Prevention Strategies and Long-Term Solutions

Mode Résumé Rapide - Lisez ou écoutez le résumé de Jerks at Work en 9 minutes

Mode Fiches mémo - Top 9 Idées de Jerks at Work en Bref

Mode Fun - Leçons de Jerks at Work Racontées en Histoires de 22 Min

Mode Personnaliser - Lisez ou écoutez le résumé de Jerks at Work en 0 minutes

Telecharger Jerks at Work PDF

Telecharger Jerks at Work EPUB

Dans le même genre

Points clés

When Office Nightmares Come to Life

Power Players: Kiss Up/Kick Downers and Idea Vampires

Conversation Dominators and Team Disruptors

Management Extremes: Micromanagers and Absentee Leaders

Psychological Manipulators: Dealing with Gaslighters

Creating a Jerk-Free Workplace Culture

Prevention Strategies and Long-Term Solutions