National Learning Institute

The Boss

Andrew O'Keeffe

Reviewed by admin Thu 13 Aug 09

Bob's Rating:

The Boss is a novel - and is also a novel way of learning about management and leadership.  Author Andrew O'Keeffe has used his years of experience working with bosses and the stories he has been told about bosses, to pen this enlightening read.  O'Keeffe has also used his vast knowledge of what makes people tick to ensure that there is a message in every chapter for anybody who wants to be a better boss or for someone who might need to manage their current boss better.

Told through the eyes of Lauren Johnson, the talented but perennial adherent to her bosses whims, it will keep you interested and involved to the final chapter.  Early in the book we find Lauren finally deciding to move from her current job to get away from "Deadly Di", the boss from hell, only to end up in a worse situation.  In her new organisation, not only is her new boss somewhat inept, but many of the other senior managers have failings, quirks and even personality disorders which I am sure readers will recognise in bosses they have known. 

When will Lauren wake up and do something about her situation?  This is a clever concept O'Keeffe has used.  By keeping us in tune with Lauren, but also keeping us frustrated that she is not taking it upon herself to get out from under, it enables O'Keeffe to achieve two aims.  Firstly it is an excellent way of getting the reader to think of ways that he or she might act in Lauren's situation, thus ensuring we learn about ourselves.  Secondly, it enables the author to introduce all the various difficult boss types that need to be managed.

It might sound as if this book has quite a negative flavour.  This is not so.  There are enough examples of good bosses sprinkled throughout to provide the example of "what to do" in addition to "what to avoid doing".  Coupled with this is O'Keeffe's quiet sense of humour and the quirky situations in which Lauren finds herself.

You could read this book as a novel and I'm sure get great satisfaction.  However for me, The Boss is an excellent learning tool for managers.  There's a "Workplace Guide" at the end of the book with discussion questions for developing leadership.  You'll also see here chapter headings with the key management process covered, such as interviewing, appraisals, first impressions, salary reviews etc.  However, my advice is to keep a pen and paper close by as you read in case you miss some of the gems such as "How to set a shared objective for an interview or discussion".

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be a better boss, or who wants to manage their current boss better, or just as a good read.  Because of the way it is written, it would also make an excellent gift for someone who may be a manager, but does not like to read heavy technical or theoretical type books.