Rating: 
Summary: Finding passion and fulfillment in the pursuit of your dream
Review: "Where do you want to go today." "The possibilities are infinite." "A new world. A new way." Just about everyone is talking about the opportunities that are available in the world. If they are right, why (notwithstanding the lack of time) aren't more of us pursuing them? The Art of Possibility (Harvard Business School Press, 2000) is a wonderfully written, inspiring, and wholly actionable book of practices for living more passionate and fulfilling lives in connection with the people and world around us. "Being with the way things are," "speaking in possibility," and "one-buttock playing" are just a few of the bits of wisdom packed into this extraordinary work. The authors, Benjamin and Rosamund Zander, contend that new ways of being, perceiving and thinking are required to thrive in our ever-changing world - a world in which we frequently can find ourselves "out of the boat." Developing these new ways requires the ability to draw a different frame around a given set of circumstances. Using metaphors, stories, first-person accounts, and personal revelations, the authors go on to introduce a dozen practices that can serve as different frames. These include Giving an A, Being a Contribution, Leading from Any Chair, and, my favorite, Being the Board. Used individually or in combination, the practices can help redefine perceptions of what is possible and empower each of us to make every day perfect. While the book is written largely as a guide for personal development and creativity in any context, the concepts have tremendous potential for transforming the environment within organizations as well. I ardently recommend this book to anyone who is striving to enrich her/his personal life or professional effectiveness and/or that of the people in the organization in which you work.
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Summary: Great Performances for Everyone!
Review: '. . . The objective of this book is to provide . . . the means to lift off from . . . struggle and sail into a vast universe of possibility.' Benjamin Zander is the conductor of The Boston Philharmonic and is well known for his orchestra's passionate performances. Rosamund Stone Zander is an executive coach, family therapist, and private practitioner who brings enormous psychological perspective to enhancing human behavior. They have written a fascinating book in which they alternate as voices in sharing principles and examples in the form of compelling stories. They have striven to make what they share ' . . . simple, not easy.' The idea is to help you create in yourself and in others 'transformational' improvements. They share a series of perspectives designed to improve your understanding of what and where the potential is. First, humans tend to focus on very few things, missing most of what is going on around them. By shifting focus, you will see many opportunities for the first time. Much of this book is designed to do that for you. You will visit our old friend the nine dot square and be reminded that connecting all of the dots in four lines without lifting your writing instrument from the paper requires you to go outside the box that we mentally draw at the circumference of the dots. Be careful about your assumptions! They can fence you in! Second, measurements can cause us to focus too narrowly on where we are today and encourage scarcity thinking -- the glass is half empty. The Zanders encourage thinking about the glass as half full, citing the well-known perspective of optimism as being empowering. This can help you 'step into a university of possibility.' I like to call this pursuing the ideal practice. Third, if you assume that people will do well and help them see how they can, they will. Mr. Zander gives every student an A in his class, and simply requests that the student write a paper to tell what they will do to deserve the A. This gets the students focused on excellence, and takes away the tension that harms accomplishment. Fourth, as a mindset, think of your role as 'being a contributor.' 'You are a gift to others.' How could that change what you do? As someone who thinks that way now, I find it a very useful perspective, and was glad to see it in the book. Fifth, lead from any chair. This is a reference to involving everyone. Mr. Zander asks his players to write down how he could improve practices and peformances, and pays attention to the suggestions. Sixth, follow rule number six. That rule is to 'lighten up.' Seventh, be present to the ways things are. Many of us are disconnected from reality. By re-touching it, we can see more possiblities. Eighth, give way to passion. Going with your strong feelings allows you to be more authentic, and to go to new heights of accomplishment. Ninth, light a spark. See you role as creating a spark of possibility to be lit that others can see. Tenth, be the board of the game you are playing. This makes it easier to see how you can make a difference. Eleventh, create a vision that generates 'frameworks of possibility' for others. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous 'I Have a Dream' speech is cited. Twelfth, tell the WE story. Focus on being inclusive and considering what is best for all. Move from I to We, as the Coda to the book encourages. Each section has exercises you can use to deepen your understanding of the principles and to help you practice, in order to create greater skill. The principles are similar to those in many other books about improving performance and creativity. What is different about the book are the unique ways that the principles are expressed, the exciting examples in beautiful stories from music and business that will be new to you (as they were to me), and the passion with which the Zanders write. I would love to hear them do this book on an audio cassette! Both do public speaking, so you may get a chance to hear them. Can we ever get too many great inspirational stories and reminders to live up to our potential rather than our pasts? I don't think so. This book will reignite your passion for making a larger and more positive difference. It will make you more human as you do so. After you have finished the book, consider where your passion, gifts, and influence can combine to all you to most effectively live these principles. Consider that as a calling for at least some of your leisure time. If you are lucky, you can find some way to make that a primary calling for your working hours, as well. But find that place, and spend as much time as you can there!
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Summary: Possibility makes life beautiful!
Review: A perfect book written by a perfect duo.
They provide professional insights to enhance our personal life and personal insights to improve our professional life. Conductor Ben works closely together with Consultant Rosa to create wonderful chemistry hence leave us with loads of inspiration and encouragement. Words really cannot explain how I love this book and adore the authors. If it touches my heart and opens my mind, I believe it will do the same to anyone too. Don't miss the chance to embrace the treasurable possibilities in life and grasp this book now!
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Summary: Its insights into creative leadership are broadly applicable
Review: A seriously fun, deeply insightful book illuminating the principles of creative leadership. As applicable in the professional restaurant kitchen as in the corporate boardroom, its lessons are sure to resonate in different yet powerful ways in the personal and professional lives of all who have the pleasure of reading it.
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Summary: Great book from a very inspirational man
Review: A wise book about transforming yourself
and others. I went to a lecture of Benjamin Zander in Holland
and enjoyed it every bit. He practices what he preaches.
Great inspirator.
Rating: 
Summary: What a snoozefest.
Review: After reading the reviews here, I thought this book might be a nice inspirational read. It has a few decent moments, but for the most part I could barely force myself to keep reading. I got through about 75% of it, then just had to skim the last few chapters because I couldn't take it anymore. I dunno--if you play in a symphony orchestra, you're into reading sappy and/or narcissistic little personal tales, or you just have to read every single inspirational book that gets published, you may like this. Not the worst book I've ever read, by a long shot, but not good enough to keep or recommend, so I'm giving it two stars.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Based on their experiences, the authors show us that inspiration does come from every-day events. The book invites you to see life from a different perspective, if you wish so.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Based on their experiences, the authors show us that inspiration does come from every-day events. The book invites you to see life from a different perspective, if you wish so.
Rating:
Summary: Read This Book and See the 'Possibilities' all around You!
Review: Benjamin and Rosamund Zander, through heart felt personal examples, illustrate how each of us can choose how to interpret the everyday events in our lives. When confronted with barriers, switch to a 'perspective' that allows everthing we want in life to be possible, is the core message of this book. As an added bonus Benjamin's love of music really comes through and brings life to the ideas in this book. Definately worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Have Fun Creating the Future
Review: Benjamin Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and also presents leadership workshops widely in the business community. Rosamund Stone Zander is a family systems therapist in private practice. This unlikely combination of authors for a business text has written a refreshing and hopeful guide to personal and organizational transformation that results in innovative leadership. The book outlines twelve practices that anyone can use to create new possibilities in any situation. The Zander's wide personal experience illustrates each practice with unforgettable stories. "Standard social and business practices are built on certain assumptions-shared understandings that have evolved from older beliefs and conditions. And while circumstances may have changed since the start of these practices, their continued use tends to reconfirm the old beliefs. For this reason our daily practices feel right and true to us, regardless of whether they have evolved to keep up with the pace of change. In just such a way a business culture arises and perpetuates itself, perhaps long after its usefulness has passed. "This book offers practices that are transformational-practices that may feel 'illogical' or counterintuitive to our normal understanding of how things operate. The purpose is to initiate a new approach to current conditions based on uncommon assumptions about the nature of the world. . ." p. 4 For anyone wishing to have fun, be creative and change their life and the life of organizations, the book is a must read. Practical, passionate and provocative, the book is for those who want to get more joy, fulfillment and pleasure out of life and be a contribution to the whole community of creation.
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