Management and politics

Farson, Richard, Management of the Absurd (Free Press, 1997) ISBN 0684830442

By using the paradoxes and irrationalities of human behavior in organizations, this book explores what good management behavior is all about. It was a fun read primarily because he talks about many of the subjects other books are afraid to cover. Farson claims some problems are comprehendible and solvable only with assistance from our intuition, and that the exclusive dependence on logic often gets us into trouble.

Fisher, Rodger, Getting to Yes (Penguin Books, 1991) ISBN 0140157352

Best negotiation book per page of reading I've found. It's well written, straightforward, and practical. Highly recommended.

Klein, Gary, Sources of Power: How People Make Decisions (MIT Press, 1999) ISBN 0262611465

This was a primary source for Chapter 8. I found explanations and research in it that helped me understand many of my own beliefs about decision making.

Silbiger, Steven, The Ten-Day MBA (Quill, 1999) ISBN 0688137881

I've read many general business books but this is the one I refer back to most often. It covers 10 core subjects of many MBA programs, cutting to the chase on the core ideas and philosophies in each one. It reads like notes for a good textbook: it's clear that some formalisms have been avoided and the author instead provides his own less-formal but easier-to-follow explanations for certain concepts.

Quick, Thomas, Power Plays: A Guide to Maximizing Performance and Success in ...

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