Pushing Envelopes

Robert Wood

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Why I wrote this book

I wrote the book to amuse myself and as I wrote it I thought it might give pleasure to others.  And that is my sole motive – to raise a smile or a grin or even an outburst of laughter.  Anyone who works or has worked in an office will recognise some of the goings on; likewise anyone who has been round psychologists.  If you want something light-hearted to brighten the day but with serious social observations folded in along the way, then try my book and when you have read it try the other two books in the trilogy – Chekyll and Ide and Ten A Penny to see where Marcus, Clive, Julie and the rest get to. And if you become curious about me as a person you could pick up my memoir Mackem Mayhem.

Synopsis

People want to know how they are doing -- or rather they have been told that is what they want. What they need is feedback. Once inducted into the arcane arts of feedbackery by the diverse bunch of psychologists who staff HR it is only a matter of time before Marcus is broken on the wheel of trying to change other’s behaviour. Harried by his Machiavellian boss who he suspects of hanky-panky with his mobile-loving wife, plagued by the co-occurrence of sandwiches and windows, impelled to drop French into his conversation, at war with his facial muscles, and hopelessly behind on the feedbacks he is due to give, Marcus falls off the edge. At first he stages a recovery and achieves some equanimity but fate is not finished toying with him. Just as he is becoming used to the idea that it is not his concern to tell the world what to do; that people must take responsibility for their own behaviour; and that boxes are for putting money in not people, at least not live ones; things take a turn for the worse. Following a bizarre accident he manifests a condition where he is prone to launch into what can only be called psychoguff. The treatment the medics prescribe is certainly unusual but Marcus needs it like a hole in the head.People want to know how they are doing -- or rather they have been told that is what they want. What they need is feedback. Once inducted into the arcane arts of feedbackery by the diverse bunch of psychologists who staff HR it is only a matter of time before Marcus is broken on the wheel of trying to change other’s behaviour. Harried by his Machiavellian boss who he suspects of hanky-panky with his mobile-loving wife, plagued by the co-occurrence of sandwiches and windows, impelled to drop French into his conversation, at war with his facial muscles, and hopelessly behind on the feedbacks he is due to give, Marcus falls off the edge. At first he stages a recovery and achieves some equanimity but fate is not finished toying with him. Just as he is becoming used to the idea that it is not his concern to tell the world what to do; that people must take responsibility for their own behaviour; and that boxes are for putting money in not people, at least not live ones; things take a turn for the worse. Following a bizarre accident he manifests a condition where he is prone to launch into what can only be called psychoguff. The treatment the medics prescribe is certainly unusual but Marcus needs it like a hole in the head.

Reviews

Amazon Review, 12 Jul 2005: "This book is a hidden gem. A real treat for anyone who has endured the absurdities of corporate life and suspected that they were alone in their cynicism. The good ideas taken to impractical extremes, the knee jerk decisions superficially dressed up as strategy, the powerful and their pet pooches who rule the kennels, the egos, the games and the extra-curricular activities all jostle for attention in the disturbingly anonymous kitchen gizmo company. Everyone is busy, but no-one seems to be making kitchen gizmos! This book is highly entertaining and yet also educational, I now know what a Johari window is! It's an absolute must for HR professionals, managers and occupational psychologists alike."

About the Author

Whatever he has done since starting work, and that includes being an academic and a business psychologist, Robert Wood has always been a writer.

Recently he has turned his hand to short stories and earlier this year achieved top 30 finishes in two Secret Attic competitions.

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