Unite the Tribes: Ending Turf Wars for Career and Business Success

Rating:
Summary: Very timely reading material for the serious employee
Review: After reading some of the reviews, I was pleased to see that many readers were also finding great value and answers to common problems in this book. However, I was dumbfounded that one reviewer stated that in her company someone would be fired for following the advice of this book. To be blunt, that's just plain scary as the advice in this book centers on the approach of bringing people together in order to set and accomplish company-wide goals. In fact, the entire premise of the book is that if you stop thinking of only yourself and think of ways to help everyone reach their goals, everyone ultimately wins out in the end - both the company and each individual.

I personally believe that the main reason for such a sharp decline in customer service over the past few decades can be attributed to one element - employee apathy. I also believe that this apathy - which leads to poor job performance, which ultimately results in an inferior product - is caused by corporate environments where people feel under-appreciated, overworked and that everyone is simply out to satisfy their own personal agendas - at the expense of the company's well-being.

This is specifically the problem that this book addresses - as the title "Unit the Tribes" suggests - bringing people together in the name of a common goal where in the end everyone wins. While this book doesn't pretend to have all the answers, I was very impressed with the stories and advice related from someone who's obviously been in a myriad different fields for over 30+ years. Give me this type of person's advice over a "consultant" who's all about theory with no real experience to back it up. My advice is that if you're looking to become a more productive and happy employee, buy this book today. Even better, if you're a manager, then you owe it to your team to purchase a copy for each member of the team and make it required reading.

Rating:
Summary: Duncan Succeeds!
Review: As a retired Marine, former director of a school of leadership studies, and as a practicing leadership consultant, I found Christopher Duncan's book to be superb. He sets forth and discusses many of the leadership and teamwork principles I learned, observed, and practiced over 24 years in the Marine Corps and beyond. For that I am grateful. I also see a lot of Sun Tzu's superior wisdom (which is timeless) in Duncan's writing. Hence, anyone who is a maneuver warfare advocate will also enjoy this book.

Duncan is a gifted writer who exudes common sense when it comes to dealing with people-the most important element in any leadership/teamwork equation. His vast experiences as a leader and follower, his obvious love for people, and his willingness to take risks enhance Duncan's credentials in the leadership/teamwork arena.

In his introduction, Duncan provides a powerful essay, "Unite, and be invincible!" ( p. xviii) which clearly set the tone for what is to follow and (for me) brilliantly captures the essence of the book. This essay, alone, is a "keeper!" Following this, Duncan sets the stage by introducing the reader to "The Lay of the Land." As such, he defines the problem, discusses the empire, examines the people, and provides his solutions (strength, action, and a good understanding of sound pillars) for effectively uniting organizations.

Duncan's pillars of the empire are: vision, leadership, organization, mobility, competitiveness, persuasion, strategy, brilliance, morale, and unite. His discussions of each pillar and his recommendations are absolutely on target. For example, when he discusses leadership, Duncan, among other things, recommends building a sense of ownership in the cause, rewarding every single person who contributes to success, swiftly removing those who work against the common good, knowing the work that you lead, being one of your people, leading the charge personally, giving credit to those who did the work, and taking the blame yourself. All of these are very sound principles that are too often overlooked or violated. This being the case, is there any wonder why the morale, productivity, and results of so many organizations (business, military, and otherwise) are so low?

To his credit, Duncan brings the same lucidity and understanding to each of his pillars. Yes, there are some redundancies, but that's okay. Since good leaders and sound teamwork seem to be scarce commodities these days, "telling them what you're going to say, telling them, and telling them what you said" isn't a bad approach!

Christopher Duncan's "Unite the Tribes: Ending Turf Wars for Career and Business Success" should be a welcome addition to the libraries of anyone (business, military, church, volunteer group, etc.) who is interested in sound thoughts regarding leadership and teamwork. The lessons are universally applicable. Mr. Duncan should be applauded for his clarity of insights into the nature of what leaders (at all levels in an organization) should actually do, the importance of treating people properly, and the significance of well organized and properly focused teams. I recommend this book strongly!

Rating:
Summary: Duncan Succeeds!
Review: As a retired Marine, former director of a school of leadership studies, and as a practicing leadership consultant, I found Christopher Duncan's book to be superb. He sets forth and discusses many of the leadership and teamwork principles I learned, observed, and practiced over 24 years in the Marine Corps and beyond. For that I am grateful. I also see a lot of Sun Tzu's superior wisdom (which is timeless) in Duncan's writing. Hence, anyone who is a maneuver warfare advocate will also enjoy this book.

Duncan is a gifted writer who exudes common sense when it comes to dealing with people-the most important element in any leadership/teamwork equation. His vast experiences as a leader and follower, his obvious love for people, and his willingness to take risks enhance Duncan's credentials in the leadership/teamwork arena.

In his introduction, Duncan provides a powerful essay, "Unite, and be invincible!" ( p. xviii) which clearly set the tone for what is to follow and (for me) brilliantly captures the essence of the book. This essay, alone, is a "keeper!" Following this, Duncan sets the stage by introducing the reader to "The Lay of the Land." As such, he defines the problem, discusses the empire, examines the people, and provides his solutions (strength, action, and a good understanding of sound pillars) for effectively uniting organizations.

Duncan's pillars of the empire are: vision, leadership, organization, mobility, competitiveness, persuasion, strategy, brilliance, morale, and unite. His discussions of each pillar and his recommendations are absolutely on target. For example, when he discusses leadership, Duncan, among other things, recommends building a sense of ownership in the cause, rewarding every single person who contributes to success, swiftly removing those who work against the common good, knowing the work that you lead, being one of your people, leading the charge personally, giving credit to those who did the work, and taking the blame yourself. All of these are very sound principles that are too often overlooked or violated. This being the case, is there any wonder why the morale, productivity, and results of so many organizations (business, military, and otherwise) are so low?

To his credit, Duncan brings the same lucidity and understanding to each of his pillars. Yes, there are some redundancies, but that's okay. Since good leaders and sound teamwork seem to be scarce commodities these days, "telling them what you're going to say, telling them, and telling them what you said" isn't a bad approach!

Christopher Duncan's "Unite the Tribes: Ending Turf Wars for Career and Business Success" should be a welcome addition to the libraries of anyone (business, military, church, volunteer group, etc.) who is interested in sound thoughts regarding leadership and teamwork. The lessons are universally applicable. Mr. Duncan should be applauded for his clarity of insights into the nature of what leaders (at all levels in an organization) should actually do, the importance of treating people properly, and the significance of well organized and properly focused teams. I recommend this book strongly!

Rating:
Summary: Great business advice!!!
Review: Christopher Duncan takes off his developer's hat to explain how to successfully use the politics and rivalries of the modern corporation to your company's advantage, and have fun doing it. Turf wars among departments are de rigueur but Christopher points out that it doesn't have to be this way. He gives practical advice on how to unite your company's groups and succeed beyond your wildest expectations. Your company's enemy is, or should be, the competition and the company that works, fights, and plays together is the one that is going to win.

Thinking way outside the box of traditional business practices, Unite The Tribes outlines a series of short, simple team-building concepts that can be easily applied at any company. From communicating among departments to rewarding innovation to focusing on external threats, Christopher points toward what really matters: uniting your empire's tribes against the competition. Simply put, the corporation that wins and thrives is generally a better place to work than the one that doesn't. If you don't defeat your competition, they will defeat you, destroy your job, and make it difficult to feed your family. With frankness, humor, and brevity Christopher shows you how to defeat the empires that threaten yours no matter where you are in your company's organization structure.

Buy this book, read it once a month, and get a copy for everyone who works with you.

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading...
Review: Do you work at a company where most of the energy is spent fighting each other instead of the competition? Unite The Tribes is an extremely good book that outlines a program for learning how to focus the company to conquer the real enemy, your competitor who would rather you didn't exist. This should be required reading in most all large corporations.

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading...
Review: Do you work at a company where most of the energy is spent fighting each other instead of the competition? Unite The Tribes is an extremely good book that outlines a program for learning how to focus the company to conquer the real enemy, your competitor who would rather you didn't exist. This should be required reading in most all large corporations.

Rating:
Summary: This is the "Art of War" for the modern corporate world!
Review: Duncan has dropped the political correctness and gone straight for the real deal on corporate and interpersonal dynamics. He hits the nail on the head of human nature and shows you how to motivate your people and eliminate any divisiveness within your ranks.

Having specialized in building and managing elite corporate technical teams for years, I found his observations and advice to be spot on. He makes the ideas and core concepts of "Uniting The Tribes" not only accessible but also digestable so that you have something meaningful to apply to your world straight away when you put the book down. It doesn't matter if you are in management or a single performing role, the information has value and if properly applied will yield results. It's all in the Pillars. Well done Christopher.

Rating:
Summary: Not to be taken seriously
Review: I received this book from a colleague who got it as a professional review copy from the company that published it. The first thing I noticed about this book is the lack of knowlege the author has of what is right and wrong activity in the workplace. Most organizations, such as the one I work for, would have to step in and put an end to activities such as those the author suggests in this book. Many of the ideas of what is appropriate behaviour in an organization are questionable. 90% of the activities suggested in this book are repetitive - it's like reading the same thing over and over. I found myself asking, "wait, didn't I already read this?" I would only recommend this book, perhaps, if someone couldn't afford a professional Human Resources or Organizational Management guide - there are one or two ideas in the book that could work - like management sponsored pizza parties. The pillar idea presented in the book is a good concept but, it could be a little too "warrior" for some people who are looking for a serious guide to help their workplace.

Rating:
Summary: Very timely reading material for the serious employee
Review: Mr. Duncan hits the nail on the head over and over again with his pillars! Anyone working at any level of corporate America can benefit from this book.
I`m a department manager for an international distribution company and I see, everyday, the unneccesary struggle not only between departments, but within departments as well. Mr. Duncan`s suggestions help alleviate those struggles and help reiterate why we get up every morning and pursue the careers we`ve chosen.
All companies serve a customer of some sort and the further removed you are from the customer, the more difficult it is to see exactly how much of an impact each and every person has on whether or not your customer chooses to do business with you or your competition. This book brings that hieracrchy into focus for everyone on the ladder no matter where you happen to fall. Thank you Mr. Duncan for your honest approach and useable information for us folks in the real world!