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Fire Your Boss
Fire Your Boss
And Hire Yourself.
Impossible? Not according to nationally bestselling author Stephen M. Pollan. As he says in this new and empowering book, "You don't have to accept your current work situation. You can be in control of your job and your stream of income, so you're never again subject to the whims, prejudices, moods, or circumstances of your so-called boss."
In today's difficult work environment, gone are the days of finding satisfaction through your job, gone is the time when your job was secure, and gone are the days when your employer cared about you. This new environment requires new rules, and Pollan has provided surprisingly fresh and intriguing methods for finding "success" on the job.
Pollan's bold and unique message begins with the idea that you must "fire your boss." By this he means you can no longer rely on your manager or your company for economic security. Instead, you must put yourself in charge of your working life. In this thought-provoking and counterintuitive career guide, Pollan presents a seven-step program and a series of exercises that give you the confidence, power, and will to achieve the life of your dreams.
Once you have changed your mind-set and learned the new rules of the game, you can start the process of moving to a richer, more enriching, and more enjoyable life. And the best part about it? Your boss will love you for it.
And Hire Yourself.
Impossible? Not according to nationally bestselling author Stephen M. Pollan. As he says in this new and empowering book, "You don't have to accept your current work situation. You can be in control of your job and your stream of income, so you're never again subject to the whims, prejudices, moods, or circumstances of your so-called boss."
In today's difficult work environment, gone are the days of finding satisfaction through your job, gone is the time when your job was secure, and gone are the days when your employer cared about you. This new environment requires new rules, and Pollan has provided surprisingly fresh and intriguing methods for finding "success" on the job.
Pollan's bold and unique message begins with the idea that you must "fire your boss." By this he means you can no longer rely on your manager or your company for economic security. Instead, you must put yourself in charge of your working life. In this thought-provoking and counterintuitive career guide, Pollan presents a seven-step program and a series of exercises that give you the confidence, power, and will to achieve the life of your dreams.
Once you have changed your mind-set and learned the new rules of the game, you can start the process of moving to a richer, more enriching, and more enjoyable life. And the best part about it? Your boss will love you for it.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2004
35 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 9, 2015
Another book from Stephen Pollan (Die Broke) Life Coach. He advocates for the following:
-Start looking for your next job as soon as you find your current job (Employers are not loyal--why should you be loyal to them?)
-It still goes back to who you know, when getting a job--worry less about the perfect Resume and more about meeting people through social clubs
-Figure out what makes your Boss Happy--and do it. That is your job description.
-Don't be afraid to tell an employer you are looking or have another job offer (if you have made your boss happy)-- they will counter with a stronger offer
-Don't personalize your office space
-Look for fulfillment, meaning, friendship outside of work. If you want to do Service, or be creative--find that at your church or in an Art group. Remember that work is the one and only place you can earn money.
-Benefits that matter are 1) salary, 2) paid leave 3) health insurance and 4) 401 K match--the other stuff is just frills.
-Disability Insurance and Life Insurance are a must.
Of course many of the ideas from Pollan can come across as Cynical--but I agree with his end goal to put yourself in charge of your career--to be your own boss-- and to come and go as you want--and then to put yourself in a strong position to negotiate.
-Start looking for your next job as soon as you find your current job (Employers are not loyal--why should you be loyal to them?)
-It still goes back to who you know, when getting a job--worry less about the perfect Resume and more about meeting people through social clubs
-Figure out what makes your Boss Happy--and do it. That is your job description.
-Don't be afraid to tell an employer you are looking or have another job offer (if you have made your boss happy)-- they will counter with a stronger offer
-Don't personalize your office space
-Look for fulfillment, meaning, friendship outside of work. If you want to do Service, or be creative--find that at your church or in an Art group. Remember that work is the one and only place you can earn money.
-Benefits that matter are 1) salary, 2) paid leave 3) health insurance and 4) 401 K match--the other stuff is just frills.
-Disability Insurance and Life Insurance are a must.
Of course many of the ideas from Pollan can come across as Cynical--but I agree with his end goal to put yourself in charge of your career--to be your own boss-- and to come and go as you want--and then to put yourself in a strong position to negotiate.
September 1, 2023
Very liberating. Lots of practical points. It's very motivating to read such books. I'm happy that people like the author r spreading awareness and wisdom
April 3, 2014
This book holds up surprisingly well after ten years. A quick skim, this book is more for gen X and above. It forces you to answer some tough questions like "Am I going to get fired?" and gives tips on how to make yourself indispensable to your boss. No huge insights but a good refresher.
Read
April 24, 2008Helpful and different look at jobs and careers
February 16, 2021
Presents and demonstrates the philosophy of applying the perspective of professional free-agency and self-sovereignty in work relationships. The upshot is that if you (a) devote the effort to build your knowledge, skills, and abilities to a point where you can deliver value and (b) effectively, consistently signal and behave as if you are your own boss and have multiple options for income-earning, your boss(es) and the people you interact with professionally will respect and value you more. When employers and colleagues perceive you as having few options or lacking the personal authority and boldness to move on, they will value and reward you less. You will be taken for granted.
I had witnessed the latter dynamic (lack of valuing people who don't appear to be self-driven) in many work and life situations. I increasingly applied the 'I am my own boss' (free-agent) principle during my career. It includes taking full responsibility for my capacities and performance. It also involves rejecting inaccurate perceptions of my character and performance, particularly from the decision-makers whose judgments most affected my reputation and compensation.
Ironically, the more you convey the posture and message, "If this organization or you, my supervisor, won't acknowledge the value I contribute, I will move on to one that will," the more others are likely to respect you, which translates into tacit and official recognition and opportunities.
My caveat would be that this book is by a couple of 'old white guys' who, I'll assume, didn't come up against the same types and degrees of structural bias during their professional lives that are still often encountered by people from other categories (non-male, non-white). (If the notion of 'structural bias' offends your worldview, you are part of the problem. Please, educate yourself and contribute to solutions.) My point is: your mileage may vary. You already know if you have to employ other strategies and tactics (beyond owning yourself) to minimize the impact of dominant-class bias and to gain access to opportunities that come more readily to whites and cis-acting males. You're probably already aware of other books and resources that address those circumstances. Still, even allowing for societal biases, learning to inhabit a self-owned mindset and outward posture will serve you well.
Last, the book's main points, while confirmed by my own experiences, rely more on anecdotes than I like. I would enjoy learning more on this topic from peer-reviewed, more scientific methods.
I had witnessed the latter dynamic (lack of valuing people who don't appear to be self-driven) in many work and life situations. I increasingly applied the 'I am my own boss' (free-agent) principle during my career. It includes taking full responsibility for my capacities and performance. It also involves rejecting inaccurate perceptions of my character and performance, particularly from the decision-makers whose judgments most affected my reputation and compensation.
Ironically, the more you convey the posture and message, "If this organization or you, my supervisor, won't acknowledge the value I contribute, I will move on to one that will," the more others are likely to respect you, which translates into tacit and official recognition and opportunities.
My caveat would be that this book is by a couple of 'old white guys' who, I'll assume, didn't come up against the same types and degrees of structural bias during their professional lives that are still often encountered by people from other categories (non-male, non-white). (If the notion of 'structural bias' offends your worldview, you are part of the problem. Please, educate yourself and contribute to solutions.) My point is: your mileage may vary. You already know if you have to employ other strategies and tactics (beyond owning yourself) to minimize the impact of dominant-class bias and to gain access to opportunities that come more readily to whites and cis-acting males. You're probably already aware of other books and resources that address those circumstances. Still, even allowing for societal biases, learning to inhabit a self-owned mindset and outward posture will serve you well.
Last, the book's main points, while confirmed by my own experiences, rely more on anecdotes than I like. I would enjoy learning more on this topic from peer-reviewed, more scientific methods.
March 14, 2020
Meh
I started reading this book months ago. I would love it and then it would get terribly boring. I hate quitting a book so I continued reading it in small bits over time.
There were some good ideas and concepts, which I highlighted, but the overall I wasn’t impressed. I am happy I can check it off my list.
I started reading this book months ago. I would love it and then it would get terribly boring. I hate quitting a book so I continued reading it in small bits over time.
There were some good ideas and concepts, which I highlighted, but the overall I wasn’t impressed. I am happy I can check it off my list.
February 25, 2018
This book brings order to the chaos of work. After reading this book I had a totally different attitude going to work everyday. Rather than dreading work, I realized what I should expect from work. Once you have that in order, then things become much clearer. READ THIS BOOK!!!
May 11, 2010
Well, the content is not as offensive as the title may imply. Basically it addresses the lifelong problem of employees who believe that their boss and their role at work is what defines who they are as a person and the type of pressure this puts on the employee's personal life causing life-work imbalance. It also addresses the dilemma of seeking a "career" by stating the hardcore fact that in today's dynamic world there is no "career". The book answers many of these concerns by giving one valuable piece of advice, go for the job that gives the highest pay and offers you best life-work balance. Career? it may or may not come depending on how you define it.
November 19, 2018
Surprisingly more practical now than when it was written more than 10 years ago. The title makes it sounds like a book about entrepreneurship, but it also has helpful suggestions for people that are employed. Change, don't grow was great advice I put to work immediately. Going to a different division for my resume. Puts you in the drivers seat of your own career. If you follow the advice your boss will love you, just don't let them see you reading it.
February 12, 2014
This book has really changed my perception of what it is to work. His discussion about why people work and that it all boils down to a few reasons, really resonated with me. All through the book I kept thinking about it. I finally came up with the 'why I work' answer. I am now applying it to my life and the understanding is helping to shape my next career/job path. Thanks Stephen.
August 16, 2016
If you have this on your book shelf at work, you will end up giving it to a co-worker and they will hopefully pass it along. My wife and I have given away our copies. It's good to pick them up used when you see them, so you will have one to pay forward.
March 29, 2013
An optional-read book on how to have passion in work.
January 2, 2014
its a different view of how get a new job and how to look at your career,
May 16, 2014
It didn't work.
December 20, 2015
Incredibly jaded, but has some great ideas. The 6 types of bosses is worth the price of admission on it's own.
July 2, 2016
questions in this books are really a eye opener. it makes us to find our purpose , passion and whre we want to be.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews