I'm working in a university as a department chair of Music. That means I have to deal with a lot of people - sideways, vertically, direct reports- everyday. This is I'm going on my fourth term and I just wish I read this book from the beginning of my career!

Bruce Tulgan describes how to be a go-to person without sacrificing your values. He provides practical advice on how to build real influence, work smart, and tips on working with people from other divisions. His message rely on many experiences and cases from other successful companies.

The only thing I didn't like was that he used so many bullet points on some sections. I'm not a fan of bullet points (if I want to see points, I would go to a blog, not a book) because I think they need further explanations.

All in all, I would recommend everyone that is working in a corporate management and especially the ones who just started their career.

Ok, so this book falls on the cheesy sort of what I expect from a self help book category for me. The info is helpful, but obvious and not out of the box or forward thinking. This is like a grad gift that will likely get skimmed and stuck on a shelf. I’m not certain it’s better than many others, but it’s a nice gift to give I suppose.

“Everybody at work is your ‘customer’ now. And you are theirs. Up, down, sideways, and diagonal. That’s because collaboration is the latest revolution sweeping across the workplace.” That’s why every employee needs to know The Art of Being Indispensable at Work.

So how do you become indispensable? Stop being a “Yes” person. There is only so much time in a day. The best advice is finish what you start—on time and within budget. “Real influence is the holy grail of the true go-to person.” How? Always be professional, use rational persuasion, and help others succeed. But especially mind your attitude.

These and other ideas, all with the ring of truth, are described within The Art of Being Indispensable at Work. An excellent gift for new graduates but also for friends who are feeling stuck in their job with no chance at promotion. 4 stars!

Thanks to Harvard Business Review Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.