Beyond the Job Description: How Managers and Employees Can Navigate the True Demands of the Job

Organizational consultant Sostrin (Re-Making Communication at Work) confronts the double reality that many employees face: the job you were hired to do versus the actual responsibilities and expectations that no one discussed during the interview process. Sostrin describes this phenomenon as a “job-within-the-job,” which includes the “unwritten work that… requires you to manage constant change, effectively collaborate with others, and navigate confusing workplace politics.” Asserting that most positions have responsibilities beyond face value, the author helps readers figure out his or her real job, with all its components, and uncover the “hidden curriculum” necessary to be truly effective. Sostrin maintains that, regardless of how well a company trains its leaders or employees, in today’s environment change is a given, so it’s critical that each person act as his or her “own human resources department.” The author offers a useful model to assess and rethink your job, complete with exercises and examples from his consulting and leadership coaching. This readable, often entertaining work will be valuable for anyone seeking to improve job performance. Sostrin offers a process for turning frustration and confusion into insights that can increase effectiveness. (Dec.)