Office Secrets: 50 Human Truths You Should Absolutely Know is a book by Harish Bhat that offers a selection of engaging and useful secrets that can help you at your workplace. Not with numbers and data, but with the satisfaction you derive while working, in your relationships at work, and in your ability to understand things much better. You are going to enjoy reading each and every chapter, as the way the author has connected his stories to various people and things is so captivating.
About the Book
The book is divided into 50 chapters, each of which covers a different topic related to the workplace.
The book is written in a humorous and engaging style, and Bhat’s vision is both insightful and practical. Whether you’re a seasoned office veteran or a new hire, Office Secrets is a book that you’ll want to read.
He does not just stick to the age-old rules like hard work, perseverance, etc. Rather, he talks about the benefits of taking little breaks while working and other pleasure activities to enliven yourself. He tells about the positive impacts of constructive daydreaming and does not mind if you let your mind wander away once in a while.
Detailed Review
The author’s focus on the importance of kindness and compassion in the workplace is appreciable. These are often overlooked qualities, but they can make a big difference in the overall morale and productivity of a team.
He shared his personal experience in this context when Kapil Dev showed him unexpected generosity by recording a personalized video.
He has emphasized the importance of complimenting your peers, and not only your teammates, but also those from other teams.
I also liked the author’s humor. He has a knack for finding the funny side of even the most challenging workplace situations.
Now, who would even think of comparing a manager’s role to that of a detective? Harish Bhat does. He thinks that managers need to observe their surroundings and the behavioral patterns of people just like detectives do.
Want another good example? What if I told you that he compares people to different types of balloons? Yes, for him, gossipmongers are trial balloons, and people who just can’t shut up are like hot air balloons.
He says that people who don’t respond to any emails are like black holes in the universe.
The author is a total foodie, as evidenced by the many mentions of good food throughout his book. He has dedicated a whole chapter to the choice of snacks that are served by managers. He also mentions the joy of enjoying your coffee and lunch in peace and the pleasure of enjoying food while flying.
He doesn’t shy away from learning from his younger colleagues, which he has dubbed PERM, or Program of Reverse Monitoring.
He also wants everyone to enjoy their personal time, whether it’s walking, writing, playing, or anything else that interests them. This will keep people happy and energized.
As he says, “SOAR above the job – Switch off and Recharge.”
Summary
From Harry Potter to Hamlet to the US Navy Project Geronimo, you will find such different examples that you will appreciate the author’s ability to connect things.
You may also enjoy the other wise words and thoughts of various personalities in the book, such as Einstein’s thoughts on human stupidity and Shakespeare’s quotes from Richard II and Hamlet.
He presents many good suggestions, such as asking questions that really matter and writing often, as it acts as a sharpener of thoughts. He repeatedly asks for fewer slides in PowerPoint presentations and keeping meetings short. He states Parkinson’s Law, which states that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. We can all learn from these suggestions and try to work with a fresh perspective.
Become a JEDI – Just Excel Don’t Impress
Did we talk about the cookie classification of managers?
I want to ask you, what kind of cookie are you? Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then go read the book and share in the comment section what category of cookie you fall into.🙂
With this, I bid you goodbye with another good quote from the book: “May your vision never be clouded, and may you make this the year of blue-sky thinking for yourself.”
About the Author
Harish Bhat has had a long-lasting relationship with the Tata Group, where he has held many roles over the past 35 years. He is currently the brand custodian of Tata Sons. He was listed as one of the world’s top ten most influential chief marketing officers in the Forbes 2022 list. He has authored five books and is also a columnist for The Hindu Business Line and Mint. On a personal level, he is a total foodie and fitness freak.
This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program. You can buy the book from Amazon
