
Throwing the Elephant
Zen and the Art of Managing Up
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $17.09
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Philip Bosco
-
Simon Jones
-
By:
-
Stanley Bing
About this listen
Stanley Bing follows his enormously successful What Would Machiavelli Do? with another subversively humorous exploration of how work would be different - if the Buddha were your personal consultant
What would the Buddha do - if he had to deal with a rampaging elephant of a boss every day? That is the premise of Stanley Bing's wickedly funny guide to finding inner peace in the face of relentlessly obnoxious, huge, and sometimes smelly bosses. Taking the concept of managing up to a new cosmic plateau, Bing urges no less than a revolution of the spirit in the American workplace, turning overwrought, oppressed, stressed-out employees into models of Zen-like powers of concentration, able to take their elephant-like bosses and grey, lumbering companies and twirl them around the little finger of their consciousness.
In Bing's unique tradition of social criticism cum business self-help, Throwing the Elephant presents Four Truths (or possibly Five), a Ninefold Path, and one useful, hilarious guide to workplace sanity, success, and enlightenment that surpasses all understanding, survival.
Balance the yang of Throwing the Elephant with its yin, What Would Machiavelli Do?.©2002 Stanley Bing (P)2002 HarperCollinsPublishers, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
What Would Machiavelli Do?
- The Ends Justify the Meanness
- By: Stanley Bing
- Narrated by: Philip Bosco
- Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Machiavellians may not get to heaven, but on earth they have a definite edge on the competition. In this pithy and discretely vicious guide, Stanley Bing shows how the Florentine master statesman and political thinker would handle today's myriad corporate challenges, seize the future by the throat, and make it cough up money, power, and superior office space. So, what exactly would Machiavelli do?
-
-
A very funny tongue in cheek book
- By Kerwin on 05-11-04
By: Stanley Bing
-
Playing to Win
- How Strategy Really Works
- By: Roger L. Martin, A.G. Lafley
- Narrated by: LJ Ganser
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Playing to Win, a noted Wall Street Journal and Washington Post best seller, outlines the strategic approach Lafley, in close partnership with strategic adviser Roger Martin, used to double P&G’s sales, quadruple its profits, and increase its market value by more than $100 billion when Lafley was first CEO (he led the company from 2000 to 2009). The book shows leaders in any type of organization how to guide everyday actions with larger strategic goals built around the clear, essential elements that determine business successwhere to play and how to win.
-
-
The P&G Story
- By lniles on 04-14-15
By: Roger L. Martin, and others
-
Managing Up
- How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss
- By: Mary Abbajay
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Managing up helps you build the sort of relationships that foster more communication, collaboration, cooperation, and understanding between people at different levels of power, with a variety of perspectives and skills. Managing Up is your personal manual for building this vital skill so you can begin building your best future. Real-world strategies give you a set of actionable steps, supplemented by expert advice from a top leadership consultant that helps you get on track to advancement.
-
-
Redundant, nothing new
- By Rhthomas on 09-09-18
By: Mary Abbajay
-
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
- A Leadership Fable
- By: Patrick Lencioni
- Narrated by: Charles Stransky; introduction by Patrick Lencioni
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In keeping with the parable style, Patrick Lencioni begins by telling the fable of a woman who, as CEO of a struggling Silicon Valley firm, took control of a dysfunctional executive committee and helped its members succeed as a team. Story time over, Lencioni offers explicit instructions for overcoming the human behavioral tendencies that he says corrupt teams. Succinct yet sympathetic, this guide will be a boon for those struggling with the inherent difficulties of leading a group.
-
-
Clear Headed Guidance on Building Teams
- By Mark on 01-18-03
By: Patrick Lencioni
-
Getting to Yes
- Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
- By: Roger Fisher, William Ury
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Getting to Yes is a straightorward, universally applicable method for negotiating personal and professional disputes without getting taken - and without getting angry. It offers a concise, step-by-step, proven strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict - whether it involves parents and children, neighbors, bosses and employees, customers or corporations, tenants or diplomats.
-
-
Maybe I Could Go to Four and One-Half Stars
- By John on 01-14-12
By: Roger Fisher, and others
-
Magic Words
- By: Jonah Berger
- Narrated by: Keith Nobbs
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times bestselling author Jonah Berger’s cutting-edge research reveals how six types of words can increase your impact in every area of life: from persuading others and building stronger relationships, to boosting creativity and motivating teams.
-
-
good book minus the progressive flare-up
- By H.B. on 06-06-23
By: Jonah Berger
-
What Would Machiavelli Do?
- The Ends Justify the Meanness
- By: Stanley Bing
- Narrated by: Philip Bosco
- Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Machiavellians may not get to heaven, but on earth they have a definite edge on the competition. In this pithy and discretely vicious guide, Stanley Bing shows how the Florentine master statesman and political thinker would handle today's myriad corporate challenges, seize the future by the throat, and make it cough up money, power, and superior office space. So, what exactly would Machiavelli do?
-
-
A very funny tongue in cheek book
- By Kerwin on 05-11-04
By: Stanley Bing
-
Playing to Win
- How Strategy Really Works
- By: Roger L. Martin, A.G. Lafley
- Narrated by: LJ Ganser
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Playing to Win, a noted Wall Street Journal and Washington Post best seller, outlines the strategic approach Lafley, in close partnership with strategic adviser Roger Martin, used to double P&G’s sales, quadruple its profits, and increase its market value by more than $100 billion when Lafley was first CEO (he led the company from 2000 to 2009). The book shows leaders in any type of organization how to guide everyday actions with larger strategic goals built around the clear, essential elements that determine business successwhere to play and how to win.
-
-
The P&G Story
- By lniles on 04-14-15
By: Roger L. Martin, and others
-
Managing Up
- How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss
- By: Mary Abbajay
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Managing up helps you build the sort of relationships that foster more communication, collaboration, cooperation, and understanding between people at different levels of power, with a variety of perspectives and skills. Managing Up is your personal manual for building this vital skill so you can begin building your best future. Real-world strategies give you a set of actionable steps, supplemented by expert advice from a top leadership consultant that helps you get on track to advancement.
-
-
Redundant, nothing new
- By Rhthomas on 09-09-18
By: Mary Abbajay
-
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
- A Leadership Fable
- By: Patrick Lencioni
- Narrated by: Charles Stransky; introduction by Patrick Lencioni
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In keeping with the parable style, Patrick Lencioni begins by telling the fable of a woman who, as CEO of a struggling Silicon Valley firm, took control of a dysfunctional executive committee and helped its members succeed as a team. Story time over, Lencioni offers explicit instructions for overcoming the human behavioral tendencies that he says corrupt teams. Succinct yet sympathetic, this guide will be a boon for those struggling with the inherent difficulties of leading a group.
-
-
Clear Headed Guidance on Building Teams
- By Mark on 01-18-03
By: Patrick Lencioni
-
Getting to Yes
- Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
- By: Roger Fisher, William Ury
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Getting to Yes is a straightorward, universally applicable method for negotiating personal and professional disputes without getting taken - and without getting angry. It offers a concise, step-by-step, proven strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict - whether it involves parents and children, neighbors, bosses and employees, customers or corporations, tenants or diplomats.
-
-
Maybe I Could Go to Four and One-Half Stars
- By John on 01-14-12
By: Roger Fisher, and others
-
Magic Words
- By: Jonah Berger
- Narrated by: Keith Nobbs
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times bestselling author Jonah Berger’s cutting-edge research reveals how six types of words can increase your impact in every area of life: from persuading others and building stronger relationships, to boosting creativity and motivating teams.
-
-
good book minus the progressive flare-up
- By H.B. on 06-06-23
By: Jonah Berger
-
What Got You Here Won't Get You There
- How Successful People Become Even More Successful
- By: Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Reiter
- Narrated by: Marc Cashman
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What's holding you back? Marshall Goldsmith is an expert at helping global leaders overcome their (sometimes unconscious) annoying habits and attaining a higher level of success. His one-on-one coaching comes with a six-figure price tag. But with this audiobook, you'll get Marshall's great advice without the hefty fee!
-
-
Good book, but didn't lend to the audio format
- By Carla on 03-21-11
By: Marshall Goldsmith, and others
-
Workplace Poker
- Are You Playing the Game, or Just Getting Played?
- By: Dan Rust
- Narrated by: Dan Rust, Rick Adamson
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A career advisor explains why many talented, hardworking people often miss out on their full career potential, revealing the tells, blind spots, secrets, and unspoken rules you need to know in order to play the game to win.
-
-
A must read for your life
- By Belinda on 06-05-18
By: Dan Rust
-
The Manager's Path
- A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change
- By: Camille Fournier
- Narrated by: Janet Metzger
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Managing people is difficult wherever you work. But in the tech industry, where management is also a technical discipline, the learning curve can be brutal - especially when there are few tools, texts, and frameworks to help you. In this practical guide, author Camille Fournier (tech lead turned CTO) takes you through each stage in the journey from engineer to technical manager.
-
-
hard to tell which chapter you're on
- By Mike on 10-04-19
By: Camille Fournier
-
The Erotic Mind
- Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment
- By: Jack Morin PhD
- Narrated by: Matthew Boston
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Challenging accepted theories about what makes for terrific sex, The Erotic Mind is a breakthrough exploration of the least understood dimensions of human sexuality - the psychology of desire, arousal, and fulfillment. Sex therapist Dr. Jack Morin offers a new perspective that celebrates the joys of Eros without denying its risks. Based on an in-depth analysis of over 1,000 provocative stories of peak sexual experiences, The Erotic Mind offers clear, accessible guidance on how anyone can utilize their own peak encounters and fantasies as powerful tools of self-discovery.
-
-
The BEST book in sex and psychology
- By Jesse Malan on 09-07-24
By: Jack Morin PhD
-
Dollars and Sense
- How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter
- By: Dan Ariely, Jeff Kreisler
- Narrated by: Simon Jones
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Exploring a wide range of everyday topics - from credit card debt and household budgeting to holiday sales - Ariely and Kreisler demonstrate how our ideas about dollars and cents are often wrong and cost us more than we know. Mixing case studies and anecdotes with tangible advice and lessons, they cut through the unconscious fears and desires driving our worst financial instincts and teach us how to improve our money habits.
-
-
This financial literacy book is different--and funny!
- By Susan K Donley on 11-09-17
By: Dan Ariely, and others
-
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
- A Spiritual Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny
- By: Robin Sharma
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Now published in over 70 languages, this number one international best seller gently offers answers to life's biggest questions as well as a practical process to help you create prosperity, vitality, happiness and inner peace. This is the incredible story of Julian Mantle, a superstar lawyer whose out-of-balance lifestyle leads him to a near-fatal heart attack in a packed courtroom. His collapse brings on a spiritual crisis, forcing him to seek answers to life's most important questions.
-
-
Honestly... it's ok...
- By Sid Edwards on 01-12-19
By: Robin Sharma
-
How to Win Friends & Influence People
- By: Dale Carnegie
- Narrated by: Andrew MacMillan
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You can go after the job you want...and get it! You can take the job you have...and improve it! You can take any situation you're in...and make it work for you!
-
-
This is well worth listening too! Main points are.
- By Ralph on 10-21-11
By: Dale Carnegie
-
Simply Said
- Communicating Better at Work and Beyond
- By: Jay Sullivan
- Narrated by: Jay Sullivan
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Simply Said is the essential handbook for business communication. Do you ever feel as though your message hasn't gotten across? Do details get lost along the way? Have tense situations ever escalated unnecessarily? It all comes down to communication. We all communicate, but few of us do it well. From tough presentations to everyday transactions, there is no scenario that cannot be improved with better communication skills. This book presents an all-encompassing guide to improving your communication.
-
-
Everyone who presents or is in a sales position should read this book!!
- By Ben Daughdrill on 12-04-17
By: Jay Sullivan
-
How to Talk to Anyone
- 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
- By: Leil Lowndes
- Narrated by: Joyce Bean, Leil Lowndes
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is that magic quality that makes some people instantly loved and respected? Everyone wants to be their friend (or, if single, their lover!) In business, they rise swiftly to the top of the corporate ladder. What is their "Midas touch?"
-
-
Good info, but painful to listen to
- By Scott on 09-19-16
By: Leil Lowndes
-
The Happiness Advantage
- The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
- By: Shawn Achor
- Narrated by: Shawn Achor
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Our most commonly held formula for success is broken. Conventional wisdom holds that once we succeed, we’ll be happy; that once we get that great job, win that next promotion, lose those five pounds, happiness will follow. But the science reveals this formula to be backward: Happiness fuels success, not the other way around.
-
-
Save yourself the money, just watch the TED talk
- By Mark on 05-22-12
By: Shawn Achor
-
Six-Minute X-Ray
- Rapid Behavior Profiling
- By: Chase Hughes
- Narrated by: Jonam Ross
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With skills specifically designed for intelligence operations, Chase Hughes releases yet another groundbreaking audiobook. In Six Minute X-Ray, you’ll learn the most powerful people-reading system in the world. Chase exposes and unpacks simple techniques that come together to allow you to see beyond the mask that anyone is wearing. In less than six minutes, you’ll know more about the hidden side of the person you’re speaking to than their own friends and family - no joke.
-
-
A great book, but not a great audio book
- By David T on 11-26-21
By: Chase Hughes
-
Modern Romance
- An Investigation
- By: Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg
- Narrated by: Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At some point, every one of us embarks on a journey to find love. We meet people, date, get into and out of relationships, all with the hope of finding someone with whom we share a deep connection. This seems standard now, but it’s wildly different from what people did even just decades ago. Single people today have more romantic options than at any point in human history. With technology, our abilities to connect with and sort through these options are staggering. So why are so many people frustrated?
-
-
Entertaining and informative
- By ty on 08-23-15
By: Aziz Ansari, and others
Critic reviews
"In a spoof of just about every career advice and management-by-metaphor book ever created, Bing delivers a Zen-like guide to managing your boss. The premise? Here's what Buddha would tell you if he were your personal career coach." (Publishers Weekly)
"A clever book on how to manage elephants, a.k.a. bosses....Witty and thought-provoking...imaginative and unique." (Library Journal)
"This is essential reading for anyone who hates his or her boss and the corporate structure in general." (Booklist)
A bit out of date
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An interesting take on an old topic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
original
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fun
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In response to David from Lafayette
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
excellent and fun
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What made the experience of listening to Throwing the Elephant the most enjoyable?
The accent of the narrator makes this book so much more clever because it conjures images of watching a Nature channel with wise hints of Obi Wan. Brilliant.What other book might you compare Throwing the Elephant to and why?
Having read/listened to stacks of business books, I was anticipating a business book to give me tips on getting ahead or whatever, and instead I'm getting zen lessons in throwing an elephant. Nothing like it. This book is remarkably clever. Things that used to annoy me about the elephant now just make me smile.I was not expecting this book to be hilarious
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Disappointingly sexist
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
don't waste your money
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.