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The Blame Game
Book

The Blame Game

How the Hidden Rules of Credit and Blame Determine Our Success or Failure

Ben Dattner and Darren Dahl
Free Press, 2011

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

No one likes to be blamed when something goes wrong. Unfortunately, far too many people are quick to point fingers when the company misses a deadline or a project falls short of expectations. A work culture where employees hesitate to make decisions or don’t believe that they receive enough credit creates dysfunction, prevents a firm from operating efficiently and stifles growth. Psychologist Ben Dattner’s first-rate analysis of the dynamics of “the blame game” is pertinent reading for employees everywhere, from CEOs to receptionists. getAbstract believes this meaningful book will compel you to reassess your business environment, your relationships with co-workers, and, most important, your own motives and behavioral patterns. If you fail to take advantage of this bountiful knowledge, well, you have only yourself to blame.

Take-Aways

  • People by nature are inclined to take too much credit and not enough blame.
  • When something goes wrong, proceed patiently and analytically instead of assigning culpability to specific individuals or groups.
  • Organizational dysfunction often stems from improper handling of credit and blame.

About the Authors

Ben Dattner, founder of Dattner Consulting, is an adjunct professor of psychology at New York University. Darren Dahl, contributing editor at Inc. magazine, has collaborated on several business books.

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    N. M. 1 decade ago
    Invigorating to say the least...
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    P. J. 1 decade ago
    I do agree with the author about blame game leading organisation disfunctinal and people or members of the team under productive. It is simple that BLAME IS TO BE ANALYSED for the improvement of the organisation as a whole. IT SHOULD BE A LEARNING POINT TO ALL FROM THE MISTAKE, IT IS NOT FOR THE PASSING THE BUCK. Blaming is just like I am ok and u are not ok type transaction which is damaging in nature. rather blame should be analysed and the point of mistake to be owned without hesitation for the interest of all concerned.
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    A. 1 decade ago
    perfect, it is a hard lecture