This book is not academic, but more a collection of practical wisdom in what some have called “leading up,” that is, helping manager or supervisors above us understand how they can do better at things like interpersonal communication, or leading a team. The first half of the book categorizes leaders using different animal names. The lion is the intimidating and authoritative presence with a need for control, while the owl is knowledgeable but struggles to lead effectively. Some of the advice here is great. For instance, the owl will value a reliable and competent team member who shows respect for the owl’s knowledge. Another great piece of advice is that with some leadership styles, the employee needs to keep a log of their contributions, decisions, and communications. And some advice is not as helpful. For instance, in some of the leadership styles, the author seems to suggest telling the leader how to do their job better (albeit in soft terms). One weakness of the book is its conversational structure, or perhaps better-worded, lack of structure. A chapter on a topic, like conflict resolution, tends to wander, where sometimes each paragraph is a new sub-topic, instead of a clear start, middle, and conclusion to the topic. A second weakness is that a lot of topics are covered, and often the coverage is superficial. Emotional intelligence, for instance, is a critical piece to relating to a difficult manger, but this chapter is limited to eight pages and then done, and too much of the chapter is basic information you could get by googling.

This was the book I didn't know I needed! It provides well-grounded, practical suggestions for dealing with a variety of different difficult others in the workplace. I want to buy a copy for all of my colleagues!

This guide to horrible bosses begins as a deliciously satisfying categorization of the leaders who make us miserable.

Chapters 1-14 may find you slapping your forehead in recognition of your own bad bosses. While the guide initially reads as revenge porn for the professionally wronged, the author balances her critique with content that helps build understanding and empathy of these developing humans. After all, leadership is a difficult art learned through time and trial.

Instead of ending each category in complaint, Valdate caps her descriptions of ineffectual leadership with explanations of how each leader became how they are as well as tips for peacefully coexisting with them.

The second half of the book is a valuable guide for Gen Z or those entering the corporate world—as well as for those who aspire to leadership. Current leaders who read the book may cringe in recognition of themselves in the pages, but if reflective, may use the book to improve their leadership.

Chapters 15-25 provide instruction in soft and hard skills no one teaches you but everyone expects you to know in the workplace. Some of the guidance may sound basic, but considering the dearth of strong leadership documented in the book, it follows that we could use some attention to the basics. Valdate lays out a reasonable and valuable curriculum on effective listening, polite interaction, appropriate technology use, setting boundaries, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and other essential knowledge we gloss over. The content here is ethical, high-quality, and well-researched, making the book a viable resource or text for a college class on leadership. It’s that good and it’s that needed. If more employees put this guidance to work, perhaps our current leaders would not end up in the pages of this book.