To shun someone else in order to establish territory is one of the ten typical "territorial games" that business consultant Simmons intends to define and challenge here. The other acts of workplace "gamesmanship" include occupation, manipulating information, intimidation, setting up alliances, creating invisible walls, strategic noncompliance, discrediting, camouflage, and filibustering?all insidious attempts to deliver a blow, create an obstacle, or confuse the issue. Simmons provides a brief analysis of complex human behavior as an aid in understanding possible root causes for illogical behavior, and she includes real-life examples of typical business situations. She also suggests solid ways of dealing with "territory building" and how to begin playing more constructive games. Readers are likely to find this work hits home with problems in the workplace and helps explain the Dilbert phenomenon. Highly recommended for larger public libraries.?Dale F. Farris, Groves, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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This text explores the underlying roots and visible signs of territorialism, and aims to provide positive strategies for ending the effects of workplace "turf" wars, which it states are productivity- and morale-squashing.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Now you can call all those games by name!, Aug 5 2003

By	Debra E. Blatt (Pittslfied, MA United States,) - See all my reviews

Simmons provides "names" for this evolutionary adaptation of behavior that we experience everyday such as the strategic noncompliance game, the occupation game, the camouflage game and the intimidation game. Territorial Games defines how behavior in the workplace is driven from physiological, survival instincts that over-power rational thinking. With humor and insight, Simmons reviews the emotions involved in protecting "territory" in today's organizations. The 10 games are reviewed using real-life, painful and funny examples of business situations. The book will aid you in spotting the behavior in others, because "of course you don't do this." Well, you can check that using the self-tests provided for each game.

Simmons' practical approach does not suggest that the games will go away. She does suggest that you can understand them better, develop better ways to deal with the games and begin playing more constructive games. Recommended for everyone who has ever felt like they were in a sporting competition, on a battlefield, or playing survivor in the workplace. It certainly provided me with a renewed clarity about law firm dynamics. You are sure to have a laugh reading and recognizing yourself and others. More importantly, this can be a new lens to understanding behavior in the workplace.

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5.0 out of 5 stars This book rocked the foundations of our organization, April 15 1999

By A Customer

As executive staff to a volunteer board, our turf wars and inability to communicate were hamstringing the efforts of our organization, and grinding staff work to a halt. This book allowed many light bulbs to go off about our inadvertent (and not!) behavior, and we even got the author in to moderate a session. Every single one of us realized what were doing to add to the problems, and how we could stop.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Simmons uses humor, clarity, to talk about games people play, Oct 17 1997

By A Customer

Simply put, reading this book helped me see more--in terms of my own behavior and others'. Ever looked back on tough work situations you've dealt with in the past and thought 'How ridiculous I was then...if only I knew then what I knew now, I'd have acted differently'? As much as I enjoyed reading the book, I must admit I felt that sting; I sat there reading about these 10 games that she has named, described (with some painfully funny stories of her own), and provided strategies for combating, and I thought 'I really needed this book years ago!' If you want to know more about how people tick and how to deal with it, get this book. Be prepared to feel stung with a higher awareness of how people operate when they are trying to protect/increase their territory in organizations--you will definitely recognize the behaviors. And more powerfully still, be prepared to have your eyes opened about some games that you, in fact, just may be playing.

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5.0 out of 5 stars saw behavior in a new way
I now recognize behavior that I was unaware of in the past. Also, I can see what I do as a manager that increases or decreases territoriality. Read more

Published on Oct 15 1997

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the most important management books of this decade
Annette Simmons has written one of the most important (and fun to read) management books of this decade. The subject matter makes it an important book. Read more

Published on Oct 10 1997