Dinosaur Brains: Dealing with All Those Impossible People at Work

by Albert J. Bernstein, Sydney Craft Rozen

This book will help you deal with your employees and co-workers by giving you the keys to understanding the way their brains--and yours--work. Using the metaphor of the dinosaur brain, the authors detail a whole range of human responses dictated by a part of the human brain sometimes beyond our control. They then show you what to expect from that part of the brain and how to be prepared for it, including such problems as turf battles, reflexive competitiveness, and office courtship. Outlines the rules of ^lizard logic, and how to use them to your advantage.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Management, Business, Software, Self Help, Leadership

Hardcover

First published March 20, 1989

About the author

Dr. Albert J. Bernstein

Reviews

[Daniel Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was on my radar because of "The Pragmatic Programmer" by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas. So when I started looking earlier this year for things to read about office communication, I knew I had to check it out!

In this book, there are two "brains" with which we choose how to behave: the thinking Cortex (which is organized, flexible, creative, team-minded, plan- and goal-oriented) and the instinctive Dinosaur Brain, which is the exact opposite of the cortex. The book teaches how to recognize and deal with the Dinosaur Brain patterns in ourselves and others. We can do this by being aware of and learning to control our physical (heart rates) and psychological states (thought processes), for example. The advice is level-headed and the book is fun to read!

[Pascal Mestdach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 'dinosaur' collegue of me, has driven me to read this book. I wanted to know how I could deal with his impossible behaviour. The book learned me to understand quite a lot about my own dinosaur brain. I didn't even knew I had one before :-)

The book has a lot of practical tips on how to deal with dinosaur behaviour in your environment. I didn't like some of the psychological talk, but that's my nature. :-)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reread of a book from my past. As the title describes it, Dinosaur Brains explores the types of personalities you may be dealing with at work or anywhere. The primary aspects of the Dinosaur Brain include instinct, emotion, and irrationality among other traits. The author presents various ideas on how to cope with them and even thrive in the corporate jungle. The book contains some insight into developing your strategy and applying it (how to act, not react) so you can improve your work environment. Similar information can be found in other books, but this one was also entertaining in my opinion.

[Tim Ponygroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a time when I really needed it. I was dealing with a psychopath at work, a man who left behind him decades of human wreckage. Ruined careers, wounded souls, emptier wallets, and incredible anger were his legacy. Yet he maintained a veneer of cordiality, the very picture of a gentleman.

I accepted the task of mastering him. The company needed a software project completed in spite of this man, and they were willing to pay top dollar to the person willing and able to take him on... and win. I had met his type before, but hardly knew anyone so miserable as he seemed to be.

Other books and life experiences gave me a good framework for understanding power in relationships. This book gave me key insights into what went on inside the minds of the "stuffed suit" guys who had serious personality disorders.

[David Robins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this is the source for what Seth Godin calls in his books the "lizard brain" (I may have learned of it from the bibiliography of one of his books), but it goes into, as might be expected, more detail. While the explanations of territoriality and other motivations, and the best ways to react are powerful explanatory and defusing tools, the book does show its age in a few ways, e.g., by promoting or condemning practices considered unacceptable/acceptable today.

[renny feld]

tee hee - i love reading books on the workplace personalities. yupe - this is a goodie - sooooo if you have to work with anyone - even if it's volunteer work - this is a good way to identify the personalities..and how to "deal" with them w/o having to suck it up.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange mix of insightful, useful commentary and questionable, outdated thinking. There are better books out there on the topic of workplace interactions.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was written longer ago, but is still very up-to-date, especially in a corporate company. At first I found annoying why is an assh*le behaviour called "dinosaur". It's because a very old part of our brain is responsible for such reaction. There is a dinosaur in everyone of us, so each chapter gives precise instructions: what to do if we behave like dinosaurs and when someone else behaves like it. The chapters aŕe like lectures on separate topics as romantic relationships at s workplace, a manager's role and issues, conflicts, problems and dealing with them.

[Rajasegar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses in detail about inherent human limitations from a workplace perspective on how we react to different situations based on our evolutionary characteristics and some valuable insights about workplace environments.

[Piotr Pabis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight into human psychology in the workplace. Bernstein gives the reader tips on how to handle different kinds of people and how not to behave like one of Dinosaurs.

[Damien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny yet practical.

[ravenclownie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

[Casey Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has good, very basics management standards. Definitely out of date for today’s culture. Would definitely republish without the mention of women’s periods and being aware of them. 3 stars.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good explanation of mans default/primitive thought pattern, called "Lizard Logic". A fairly entertaining written book. Some of the ideas and techniques are a bit dated, but then again the book was first published in 1989. Nevertheless it hits many of mans default behaviors and reactions right on the head.

[Jason Chiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend and was indeed a good recommendation. Although it has a neanderthal title and upon 1st glance, appears to be overly simplistic, it does contain several grains of truth and does seem to have some application and insight. At the very least it is quite an entertaining read.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book describes the different attitudes and emotions of the people we work with. Describes how we use instinct not true logic to deal with them. How to act not react and deal with these people and make like more peaceful and productive.

[Sud Ramasamy]

The Pragmatic Programmers recommends this book.

[Miles]

I purchased this book in 1989 - I do not remember reading it. I found it on one of my top bookshelves - I'll put it in my suspense pile and rate/review onec I (re)read it.

[Tatiana]

funny!