Corporate Politics for IT Managers: How to get Streetwise

Keith Patching, Robina Chatpson

Computer Bulletin gave this book Five Stars. This practical and informative account of the political jungle to IT managers is presented with humour and cartoons but without descending into an excess of jokiness. The book is not a recipe for reaching the boardroom but packs in plenty of home truths which merit contemplation. If you are aiming for the top, buy it and read it; if you are happy as an IT manager, buy it and read it too: you could learn a lot about your self. -Computer Bulletin This practical and informative account of the challenge of the political jungle to IT managers is presented with humour and cartoons but without descending into an excess of jokiness. The book is not a receipe for reaching the boardroom but packs in plenty of home truths which merit contemplation. If you are aiming for the top, buy it read it; if you are happy as an IT mananger, but it read it too: you could learn a lot about yourself. Tony Stock - Computer Bulletin - Jan 2001

• Introduction —the IT tribe; Part 1 Part One What's the problem?; Chapter 1 The IT stereotype and organizational politics; Part 2 Part Two I'm just trying to do my job!; Chapter 2 Coping with the stereotype; Chapter 3 The phantom IT strategy; Chapter 4 Projects —the illusion of being managed; Chapter 5 Staying alive; Chapter 6 Writes of passage; Chapter 7 Meetings (of minds?); Chapter 8 Reinventing the wheel; Chapter 9 Firefighting and rework; Chapter 10 Shattering the illusion; Part 3 Part Three Why won't other people let me do my job?; Chapter 11 Leading, managing and abdicating; Chapter 12 Recruiting into the tribe; Chapter 13 Talk to me; Chapter 14 Where are you when we want you?; Chapter 15 Lock horns and push; Chapter 16 Business priorities and culture —the unspoken agenda; Chapter 17 Breaking the taboo -marketing IT services; Chapter 18 Suppliers and consultants —the wolves at the door; Chapter 19 Let someone else do it for a change; Part 4 Part Four Becoming streetwise; Chapter 20 Shades of grey; Chapter 21 Say hello to the rest of your brain; Chapter 22 Blowing the whistle; Chapter 23 All stressed out and nowhere to go; Chapter 24 Lighten up a little; Chapter 25 IQ is not everything; Chapter 26 The road to Damascus; Chapter 27 You lead; I'll follow; Chapter 28 The front row of the grid; Chapter 29 Where am I going?; Part 5 Part Five; Chapter 30 You are not alone; appendix Appendix: Leadership questionnaire Index;