Publisher's Synopsis
The world of management is a chaotic one. It?s hard to know where fashion and fads end and fundamental truths begin. But now there is a way. - - Today, most people accept evolution as a historical fact. We feel our ape-like ancestors have been left far behind, particularly in our business dealings. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Once we get down to doing business, we are all confronted by the same sort of animal - a self-centred business man or woman driven by deep primeval urges. The author points out how often, as business people, we behave exactly as evolutionary theory says we should. - - Recent major advances in evolutionary science now make it possible to answer many of the questions that perplex managers the world over. Why are we so often stressed at work and why does this hamper our creativity? What motivates people to learn and co-operate? What drives them to deceive and to become aggressive? What makes some people leaders and other willing followers? What really happens when people communicate face to face? - - In this stimulating book Gary Johnson examines these and many other aspects of behaviour, supporting his argument with examples drawn both from research and from business. His approach is certain to appeal to the growing number of managers sceptical of the latest theory or the modish package. They will learn: - - ? how to reduce unproductive stress - ? how to avoid over-reliance on intuition - ? how to harness people?s powers of concentration - ? how to motivate co-workers - ? how to manage non-verbal communication. - - At once entertaining and illuminating, Monkey Business is your guide to the fundamental truths about management as you look back not a few decades, not even a few centuries, but many millennia. It will transform your view of the world of work.
