What To Do If...?
35 Questions You'll Need to Answer at Work
Anne-Maartje Oud’s comprehensive guide to interpersonal dynamics What To Do If…? takes a tactical approach to thirty-five ubiquitous workplace challenges.
Instructing professionals to ascend above the friction of exchanges and observe four distinct layers—context, procedure, content, and interaction—in order to decouple the emotional weight of a conflict from its structural elements, this book seeks to transform chaotic social moments into manageable data points. Its proposed shift from reactive emotion to objective observation is compelling.
Covering self-development, communication, collaboration, leadership, and crisis management in turn, the text is engineered for applicability. Each chapter poses a particular dilemma, such as how to address a colleague who claims credit for a team’s successes or how to manage a supervisor with narcissistic tendencies. Rather than suggesting single answers, it lays out seven distinct strategies for each scenario. Its multifaceted approach acknowledges the nuances of individual office cultures and proffers a diverse repertoire of responses, from subtle nonverbal adjustments to direct, verbal boundary-setting.
The prose is lean and imperative, favoring clear instructions to ensure that the book remains a functional reference tool rather than a passive read: “Set down the device and make your attention precise.” Its advice is anchored in behavioral science and Oud’s vast tenure as a workplace advisor. References to tools including the Behavioural Assessment Inventory are a scientific lens through which to view personality clashes and “Dark Triad” traits in one’s colleagues. Furthermore, the inclusion of insights derived from collaborations with former FBI agents adds a layer of high-stakes credibility to the communication tactics described.
A systematic career guide, What To Do If…? takes a science-backed approach to workplace harmony, with tips for mastering behavioral observation and self-regulation.
Reviewed by
John M. Murray
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
