ARSE: The Asshhole Rating Self Exam

From Guy’s Blog:
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By GuyKawasaki

Bob Sutton and the mavens at Electric Pulp have created the ARSE (Asshole Rating Self Exam) to help people to determine if they are assholes. This is an offshoot from Bob’s book, The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t, which I reviewed at the end of October.

I’m sure that none of you need to take this test, but you might know someone who does. 🙂

On a related topic, Bob told me about a company called SuccessFactors. It makes performance and talent management software to automate performance reviews across global organizations and create visibility into performance data across the organization. This helps its customers determine how to find, promote, and pay people as well as how to manage succession planning.

The company is a no-asshole zone. It requires employees to agree to sign this document:

Rules of Engagement

1. I will be passionate—about SuccessFactors’ mission, about my work. I will love what we do for companies and employees everywhere.

2. I will demonstrate respect for the individual; I will be nice and listen to others, and respect myself. I will act with integrity and professionalism.

3. I will do what it takes to get the job done, no matter what it takes, but within legal and ethical boundaries.

4. I know that this is a company, not a charity. I will not waste money—I will question every cost.

5. I will present an exhaustive list of solutions to problems—and suggest actionable recommendations.

6. I will help my colleagues and recognize the team when we win. I will never leave them behind when we lose.

7. I will constantly improve Kaizen! I will approach every day as an opportunity to do a better job, admitting to and learning from my mistakes.

8. I will selflessly pursue customer success.

9. I will support the culture of meritocracy and pay for performance.

10. I will focus on results and winning—scoring points, not just gaining yardage.

11. I will be transparent. I will communicate clearly and be brutally honest, even when it’s difficult, because I trust my colleagues.

12. I will always be in sales and drive customer satisfaction.

13. I will have fun at work and approach my work with enthusiasm.

14. I will be a good person to work with—I will not be an asshole.

I agree to live these values. If my colleagues fail to live up to any of these rules, I will speak up and will help them correct; in turn, I will be open to constructive criticism from my colleagues should I fail to live by these values. I understand that my performance will be judged in part by how well I demonstrate these values in my daily work.

I hope you pass the ’hole-in-oscopy! If you don’t, be sure to get the book.