Tangling With Tyrants by Tony Deblauwe

About the Author:



During his career in Human Resources, Tony has worked through many complex people and business challenges to yield lasting results for customers. His interest in high-tech and how technology impacts people has given him insight into what it takes for people to succeed in a virtual economy.

Tony grew up in an eclectic family just a few blocks from Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. The son of Belgian immigrants, his father is a former college professor of art, language and history. His mother is an entrepreneur having worked in haute couture fashion design. Tony's exposure to several world perspectives fuel his cultural awareness and understanding.

Tony believes in collaboration of perspectives and ideas to yield successful results. He applies his expertise in human resources, organization development, and coaching to provide solutions that strengthen ways of working and achieve beneficial outcomes.

For more information visit: http://www.tanglingwithtyrants.com/

About the Book:

Do you dread going to work because of your boss? Quitting is not always an option and feeling like a victim of a bad boss only robs you of productivity, job satisfaction, and power. Career strategist and workplace expert Tony Deblauwe has spent years coaching weary employees how to be more effective with difficult bosses, and he has compiled his experiences into this indispensable guide.

Tangling with Tyrants®: Managing the Balance of Power at Work offers practical techniques that show you how to build a communication process that will turn things around to help you build successful outcomes. You’ll get guidance on addressing direct and indirect bad boss behaviors, developing the right approach, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. By applying the techniques in this book, you will be equipped with the right tools to handle your boss and create the results you want.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to answer some questions. This is what he had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Tangling with Tyrants deals with a subject that many people struggle with—how to work and communicate effectively when reporting to a bad boss. The bad boss, or “Tyrant” as I define it, is a mix of characteristics both direct (e.g. bullying, demeaning, micro-managing) as well as indirect (e.g. incompetent, absent, passive-aggressive).

The book acts as a guide to show people how to effect change in the relationship working under a Tyrant boss profile. The goal is to build a sustainable approach that reduces conflict, improves ways of working and builds mutually beneficial outcomes.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I reported to a bad boss early in my career. It was tough because it was my first real job in my field of expertise (Human Resources). The first meeting with my boss was over in five minutes. He told me he didn’t care for HR people telling him what to do and that his people and more importantly, his boss, knew he was an excellent manager.

I was shocked and upset over this meeting for a long time. I didn’t know what to do, and I wondered whether I had chosen the right career. I learned from the experience and over time developed methods that I honed coaching others in similar circumstances.

Several clients and peers suggested I put my experiences and techniques handling difficult bosses into a book and Tangling with Tyrants was born.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

I think the most important lesson I have learned is the power of collaborating with others. When you take the time to listen to people’s experiences, thoughts, and interests, you quickly learn how similar we all are. Most people have a drive to pursue ideas, foster positive change in their world, and connect with others on a genuine and authentic level.

I have enjoyed countless opportunities to collaborate with others on things I needed help with as well as be someone who helped others with their dreams. These opportunities have taught me so much about people and have influenced my thinking and approach towards how I live and work.

Who is/are your biggest supporter(s)?

My family and peer group always provide the support I need. When writing Tangling with Tyrants I had many moments where I felt the idea was fading or uninteresting. When I had these moments, my parents quickly reminded me of the many endeavors I started as a kid and had success with—like learning to play tennis. They would reassure me and help me get back on track with the book.

My peers would ask questions and suggest ideas about the book. They were eager to see me succeed and they valued my desire to create something meaningful that could help others.

Do you have any advice for writers?

For writers—remember that as clear as you are about your subject, you can always get clearer. Passion about your subject is one thing, but if the concept is vague, people might miss your message.

I had several people review my book. People in HR and consulting, managers, and employees spanning different industries and jobs reviewed my manuscript. This helped make sure I was appealing to a broad audience and providing material that people felt was useful. Combined with my stories and voice, people could connect with me and my guidance.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Even though there were challenges, I really enjoyed the book writing process. It gave me an opportunity to create material based on my expertise in the field and experience coaching others. For anyone who wonders if you have a book in you—you do—regardless of the subject matter. Take the time to zero in on your message and the story will come naturally.

Five Steps to C.A.L.M. by Robert Patterson

Join Robert Patterson, author of the business book, Five Steps to C.A.L.M. (Career and Life Management) (Booksurge, 2008), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in December and January on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

About the author:

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio Reverend Robert Patterson, Sr. is the father of six children (5 sons one daughter) and the loving husband of Mrs. Linda Patterson. He is a grandfather as well as a great grandfather.

As a member of Walker Chapel AME Church (The Fifth District), he has served in various capacities, from the Usher Board to the Steward and Trustee Boards. He has taught both Sunday School and Bible Study and has served in each department to the best of his abilities

His life reads like a road map, he is a Vietnam ERA Veteran (U.S.M.C 1961-1970), A Graduate of San Diego State University (Class of 1975). He has served as a Cable Television News Reporter, (Oceanside, CA.) Host of “Behind the Truth”, Employment Counselor Specialist, (Operation SER), Counselor-Testing Specialist, Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC). Coordinator of Manpower, CETA Area Training Center (at Palomar Community College), Transitional Assistance Program Instructor (TAP) and was Director of Personal Affairs (Camp Pendleton, CA) and Coordinated the first ever Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in Oceanside, just to name a few of his many accomplishments.

Reverend Patterson is a strong advocate of education and cultural awareness. He likes teaching and having the interaction and discussion of both Bible Study and Sunday School with the congregation in order to get down to the nitty gritty and still be brief, be specific, and be seated.” As he is fond of saying, “The day that you stop seeking knowledge, is the day that you most surely are dead.”

You can visit his website at www.rpatters.com.

About the book:

A father once told his young son, who was going out into the world on his own, “Son, whatever you want to become, be The Best.” This course teaches you how to be “The Best.”

It begins with instructions on how to put “The Best” of you on paper  Writing Your Resume. Then, later presenting “The Best” of you in person  Preparing for an Interview.

You’ll begin with the basic Resume Content, noting what should and should not be included in your Resume. After mastering the content, then begins the formatting of the Resume.

The author has thoughtfully provided you with a Resume checklist. Some of the questions are as follows:

Is the Resume two pages or less?
(Do you realize the importance of this question?)
Are the dates consistent on the left (or right) side, and limited to years?
Does the language “flow” (neither stiff nor stilted)?
Are Action Verbs used to your full advantage?

I would like to make a comment here; this is one of the many sections that you will utilize not only in your job search but also in your everyday associations.

C.A.L.M. gives you access to nine different categories for Action Verbs. They are listed under the headings of:

Communication Skills
Creative Skills
Detailed Skills
Financial Skills
Helping Skills
Management Skills
Manual Skills
Research Skills
Teaching Skills

You’ll be surprised how many Action Verbs from this section you will be able to include in your Resume, which will help make it more impressive to your employer.

Didn’t I tell you that employers would be impressed with your Resume? Now, you have been called for an interview! The next section of the book takes you into “Interviewing Techniques.” What other book walks you through an all-inclusive “Pre-Interview” session? Well, C.A.L.M. does, and once you have completed this lesson, you will indeed be CALM during your interview, no matter how many people may be on the panel of interviewers.

Included in the “Interviewing Techniques” section are Fashion Recommendations, which takes you step by step through the protocol for the business interview dress code, how both men and women should dress when going to an interview. Remember, your Resume may have “opened” the door, now your personal appearance may get a “foot” in that door. Here is where you put the lessons you have learned from C.A.L.M. into practice. Here’s where you sell The Product – Yourself! Don’t worry. C.A.L.M. has fully prepared you for any of the possible questions that you may be asked during the interview. You are ready for them, and you will remain CALM.

C.A.L.M. guides you step-by-step through the entire interview: from the Beginning of the Interview, during the Interview, and through the Closure of the Interview. After completing this course of study, you will glide through your interview with confidence and a sense of achievement. You will have left a favorable impression with the employer, and all because you put into practice your C.A.L.M. course of study.

While the employer is checking you out, C.A.L.M. also instructs you on how to compile a checklist of pertinent company information. Information that is important to you in helping you decide whether or not you would want to work for this firm or company.

The author has thought of everything in preparing you for the job search. He has included a web-site listing for those of you who want to do your job-hunting via the Internet.

C.A.L.M. answers all the questions you may have ever had in your previous job search. The “Who,” the “What,” the “Where,” and the “How.”

If you are willing to strike a Faustian Bargain, that is, willing to sacrifice anything to satisfy a limitless desire for knowledge, then C.A.L.M. is, without a doubt, the course of study for you.

Here is what the author had to say when asked the following questions:

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

There have been many that have influenced me in my life. Giving this one more thought before I commit to an answer. It is always important to put the credit squarely where it rightly belongs.

Do you write everyday?

Yes, I write just about everyday right after my morning meditation period.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

I would say my greatest achievement, as a writer was to have people see themselves as a marketable product in global market place. I say that because we in this world are taught to market everything else but ourselves. Think about it for just a second. We are told all our young lives that we can grow-up to be anything that we want to be. However, when can you remember when you were ever told prissily step by step to accomplish that great feat? Don’t confuse what I am talking about with the old adage, work hard and everything else will follow.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?

No, I have not always wanted to be a writer. Actually, I aspired to be an actor.

Are you currently working on anything?

Yes, I am currently working on my follow-up book: "The Second Steps to Five Steps to enhancing (you) the (Product) in Career and Life Management.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

Stephen R. Covey
Lester Thurow
Mary Walton
Robert Rosenthal & Lenore Jacobson
John Naisbitt
Hans G. Furth
Sun Tzu (the art of war)
Khabil Gibran
Nechi

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

I am not aware of either the totality or the depth of vast number of author’s who are out there so I would not put myself into that level of answering that question lacking that knowledge.

What is your favorite book?

As you can see from above I vassalage through my reading and many authors. However, my first choice would be, Nechi and then Khabil Gibran ending with Sun Tzu.

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?

I am still working on that one. Rain check.


WIN PRIZES!

FIVE STEPS TO C.A.L.M. VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '08 will officially begin on December 1 and end on January 30. You can visit Robert's blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in December and January to find out more about his new book!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.