This book is dedicated to middle managers – the men and women who make the corporate world go around.

Scorned by their superiors as "stale", their juniors as "thoughtless", and the public as "bureaucratic", a middle manager's lot is not a happy one (until they get home and can uncork a bottle). Yet they hold the keys to their organisation's success.

At its best, management is full of fascinating challenges, enthusiastic employees, rewarding work and a sense of achievement. At its worst, it is one long battle with constant turf wars, endless repetitive discussions, pointless processes, criticism and rebukes, where the only joy is the slowly dwindling daily countdown to retirement.

If you want more of the best that management has to offer (and less of the political bitch-fest), this book is for you. It is a no-nonsense guide to organisations that will debunk some of the soul-destroying management rituals you must endure. It will also help you make your bit of the organisation thrive and allow you to take pride in a job done well.

It might even get your boss off your back, though there are no guarantees.