My boss recently bought a couple of books that he expected my team to read.
In the past when previous bosses have done this, I've generally gained a lot out of reading the books, even if I disliked some aspects of their arguments I've been able to get a lot of insight from the arguments and evidence presented.
But this book is complete garbage. Truly first rate trash. It barely qualifies as a book. Conquer Your Rebrand, is ostensibly meant to be a business strategy guide to branding. But it is more like a long winded LinkedIn post. It's clearly an attempt by the author to fill his sales pipeline that's barely disguised as him passing on 'expertise.' It presents no compelling arguments, no evidence, is severely lacking in any sort of citations and is written like someone desperately trying to flog a timeshare at a weekend convention. I have redlined the shit out of it but I got so infuriated reading it that I can't imagine how to have a decent discussion with my boss about this book without seeming like my low opinion of this book reflects back on him (which in reality it really does.)
I think it's so much worse because I just finished two brilliant books on my own time —Jack Welsh: The Man Who Broke Capitalism and When McKinsey Comes To Town: The Hidden Influence of The World's Biggest Consulting Firm — that both present compelling arguments, detailed referencing and excellent writing.
How would you handle this?
This is a good opportunity to practice managing upward. Engage with your boss about the book. Bring up a talking point from the book without judgement, and ask the boss what he thought about it. Ask what other talking points the boss found valuable, and why. Ask if there are any strategies from the book he woule like to try, and how he would test the success.
Your boss recomended the book, so in his eyes there is probably value there. Even if you found none, you can use this as an opportunity to understand your boss, and to clarify and shape expectations.
This is excellent.
The book, from your perspective, didn't ha e any value.
But for your boss, it did.
And if anything, this makes you look good for valuing his opinion, even if in the end, you don't plan to use it.
Just commented this. This is the answer.