A Bull in a Glass House: A Former Marine's Manifesto on Surviving the Corporate Jungle and Taking Control of Your Life

by José Astorga

Book Overview

Learning to Lead: Uncover The Unspoken Reality A Bull in a Glass House is a manifesto. A former Marine's view of the corporate world and how employees must step up to the challenge of navigating its potentially treacherous roads by embracing change and relationships. In 1986, after three years in the Marines and a short stint as an armed guard, this former Marine secured a job in a growing company. He came armed with only a high school education and no skills, other than being an Expert Marksman in the Marines. Over a period of 10 years, through hard work and sheer bullishness he scaled the corporate ladder into management. His 10 year tenure in management provided an in-your-face, practical view of the paradox between corporate level expectations and behavior and the human need to fill the most basic of desires- security, belonging and respect. Readers of A Bull in a Glass House are provided with the benefit of hindsight including actual situations and quotes, and proven tips for future survival and success. Armed with this knowledge, the reader unlocks her personal arsenal to conquer the pitfalls, land minds, and thorn bushes inherent in any company. Armed with this knowledge, the gap between working perception and employment reality is bridged. Armed with this knowledge, success becomes a temporary illusion until the reader reaches out, grabs it, and makes it real-makes it his own. A Bull in a Glass House is an intensely personal and passionate look at the inner workings of a corporation and how to succeed inside it from a former Marine who battled within its glass walls-and survived to write about it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1432703870
• ISBN13: 9781432703875
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Something To Read and Re-Read. Bravo!

It seems these days there are dozens of authors who are competing for our attention in trying to convince us that they have the magic formula pertaining to management theory and employee behavior and lets face it, not everyone of these so-called experts should even attempt to show us the way. However, former marine José Astorga, who in no way professes to be an expert, is the exception, and his book or manifesto as he terms it, A Bull in a Glass House is an excellent primer in presenting the right message to management and anyone working for someone else in that as he states, "we must all dig deep within ourselves and initiate change-change that will ultimately improve and enrich our lives." Astorga gave twenty years of his life to the same organization, and according to him, at the end of his loyal and faithful service he remained empty. His decision to write a book about his experiences and perceptions of the corporate world was motivated in that he believes people need to know what to expect from working for management that values the dollar and personal perks more than their employees they should be serving. Conversely, as Astorga mentions, it is equally important that employees of all levels understand the importance of relationship building, commitment, and passion. The nitty-gritty of the book and where it delivers is its riveting fifty-three Bull's Rules that are set out and explored in one entire chapter. In essence, these rules reflect Astorga's business savvy that provide a sound foundation for his message and as he states, although they may not all encompassing, "they are a modest attempt at leading, sharing knowledge and experience as much as possible, bridging the gap between management and the employee and between the employee (including management) and perception." It is here where Astorga blends his business experience and his days in Marine Corps boot camp with clear, accessible advice pertaining to such corporate topics as communication, listening and discipline, hierarchy, empathy, team work and fighting complacency, performance, motivation, unselfishness, appreciation, praise, integrity involvement, flexibility, initiative, involvement, humility, human resources and many others where readers can give themselves reality-checks to assess the impact of some of Astorga's perceptions on their own working relationships. For example, the rule pertaining to flexibility states that a flexible employee is resilient and valuable, Moreover, adaptability must be a part if every employee's repertoire. Another one pertaining to mentoring is quite on the mark when Astorga asserts, "Be a mentor without being a preacher. There is a difference in someone who honestly mentors and helps another from someone who pushes his views and constantly wants credit and recognition for his interference." A Bull in a Glass House is written in a down-to-earth and occasionally witty and provocative style. Moreover, regardless of the result, readers wi

"A Bull In A Glass House" is informed, insightful, and inspiring reading

"A Bull In A Glass House" by Jose Astorga (a 47 year old former Marine who works every day to support his family in the private sector) has one clarion message for the reader -- life is far too short to spend every working day in misery. To avoid endemic and chronic workplace unhappiness, Astorga provides a personal perspective on how to go about achieving and maintaining both professional and personal success. A job can be a challenge, an adventure, a means of expression and achievement. It can also be a quagmire of frustration, of failure, of dehumanization. "A Bull In A Glass House" is a superbly written and deftly presented descriptive analysis of the paradox of corporate expectations and basic human behavior. Cogent advice is provided for avoiding the hazards and pitfalls that beset any corporate enterprise from incompetent bosses, to defective policies, to unrealistic expectations. Also available in a hardcover edition (1-4327-0400-1, $19.95), "A Bull In A Glass House" is informed, insightful, and inspiring reading that is recommended for anyone in business and a welcome addition to personal, professional, business school, and community library reference collections and supplemental reading lists..

a MUST read

I recommend anyone who is a manager, who is an employee that wants to be a manager, or is an employee who is managed READ THIS BOOK. It is written with passion and veracity, and says out loud the things most of us think. Because everyone can relate in some way to this book, it proves that no matter what industry you're in or where you're at, the same issues plague companies across the board. After reading this book, no one can say they didn't know there was a problem because the bull has left the house.

Excellent sanity check for American Industry professionals

Outstanding account of one man's struggle to bring excellence and integrity to the workplace. A must read for everyone who is trying to make sense out of the bureocracy that hinders performance and customer satisfaction.

Reader Comments

I got your book... Very informative, inspiring, confidence builder, the examples are perfect...humorous, yet truth. I truly recommend it. S. Sellmann Senior Logistics Specialist New Jersey *********************************** Thank you for sharing the book with me, Jose! I am not much of a book reader but once the UPS guy delivered it to my front porch, I couldn't put it down! I have spent 18 years in the trucking industry and was surprised how much your career experiences have mirrored my own. I've given this book to my brother to read because he is a plant manager and needs a little insight into how employees view things. Enthusiastic workers who put their heart and soul into their jobs will all love to read your book. H. Storz Account Executive New Jersey *********************************** Wow - I am truly impressed... You have a way of taking a concept and simplifying it for anyone to understand. I really enjoyed reading your work. I can definitely say that although the potential to make money is greater in the corporate world, I don't know if I could survive! I've worked for the county and state for so long that I forgot how cutthroat the private sector is. ...you are so on target with your ideas and advice. I love that you make your point in such a clear, direct way. I loved your story about the conference you attended remotely....that must have been hilarious! Bottom line - I truly enjoyed reading your work...you're extremely insightful, very entertaining and you make some incredibly strong points. S. Hernandez Sheriff's Office Classification Specialist Florida ************************ Good beach read during my vacation. Honest and refreshing read into real world business. Anyone with military service will enjoy the way you connect military training (TEAM WORK) into everyday real world situations. Great format and especially liked quoted lines between you and upper management and you and your team members. May be a good college level read for those studying labor relations or business management. Thanks for the autographed copy, (you may be a famous author someday) and let me know when the next book is due. R. DiGregorio Account Executive New Jersey ************************ A Bull in a Glass House is a must read for anyone in the world of management. You do not have to be in the corporate arena to benefit from "The Bulls Rules". New managers as well as seasoned leaders from all different industries will glean usable information from Astorga's manifesto. This book would be a perfect addition to any business management class syllabus. The author has a firm grasp on realistic management skills and is willing to share his recipe for success with readers. Astorga's writing invites you to navigate the ever changing waters of his professional career and along the way the reader picks up useful tools for his or her management tool box. M.A. Canales RN, MSN Nursing Coordinator Pennsylvania