Rating: 
Summary: This book saved our marriage
Review: The title of this book is rather misleading. The concepts so clearly and beautifully explained here apply to far more than just leadership. This book would be tremendously helpful to anyone in any sphere of life. My father sent it to us when my husband and I were on the brink of separation. I thought he was way off-base when I first got it, but we both read it to humor him. Once we started, we couldn't put it down. It has transformed both of us and saved our marriage. We're sending it to friends and family for Christmas. Although there's nothing really new, something about the way these ideas are presented enabled us to profoundly alter how we look at ourselves and the way we think about and deal with others. It was as if someone had given me emotional eyeglasses. Suddenly, emotionally complex situations looked clear and simple. Not necessarily easy to remedy, but atleast I could see where I was going. It's hard to imagine anyone this book wouldn't benefit. And, no, I am not related to, nor do I know, anyone associated with this book. It probably won't be as life-changing for everyone else out there, but it's inexpensive, short, and easy to read. Do yourself a favor and get it!
Rating:
Summary: trying to live out of the box
Review: An institute is credited as the author of this book. I find it troublesome in a way. It is too impersonal for such a personal topic. I accept that "self-betrayal leads to self-deception and "the box"". I believe that "when you are in the box you can not focus on the results. Your influence and success will depend on getting out of the box. You get out of the box as you cease resisting other people." The story line moves easily between the business world and one's personal, home life to present these ideas. I would like to thank the author for expressing this in such a compelling fashion. I could almost hug the person whether male or female. But a building? Don't let this trouble you. It is well worth reading. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: A Must for Lovers of Platitudes and Nice Sounding Banalities
Review: This very thin book's premise is that we are mostly trapped in "the box". This is a state of mind where we think of ourselves and not of others. By objectifying others and by filtering our perceptions to protect our self image, we get locked into couterproductive interactions with other people.It reminded me of two other similar books "Who moved my cheese" and "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". All three books feel life changing and inspiring, but they fail to change lives. The common element is the simplistic notion that one simple thing (or 7 things) is the magic bullet that is going to change everything. The 'religious' flavour is consistent with the reviews that say "this stuff is all in the bible". There is no practical advice about how to deal with abusive and exploitative people, how to balance your own needs with the needs of others etc. I don't dispute the need for everyone to be self aware and aware of their effect on others, to question their assumptions about themselves and to look at themselves as part of a social system. But there are plenty of better books about that. For example "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by John Gottman - which has much wider applicability than just marriage. The Arbinger group runs courses and seminars to fill in the blanks. However given the cost of the book it should have more practical detail to deminstrate that this is not just a bunch of nice sounding words.
Rating:
Summary: NAILING SELF-DECEPTION: Brilliant, powerful, practical
Review: LEADERSHIP AND SELF-DECEPTION is a "must" read. As a seasoned psychologist and business consultant, I've been looking for this book for 20 years! It is a clear and convincing explanation of the REAL cause of failure in human relationships, whether the relationships are in the board room or the living room. The core concept---self-deception---represents nothing less than a stunning paradigm shift. Simply put: what discovering and treating BACTERIA did to revolutionize medical practice, understanding and treating SELF-DECEPTION will do to revitalize businesses and families. Brief but profound, LEADERSHIP AND SELF-DECEPTION is a powerful antibiotic for the plague that is decimating businesses and families from the inside. Other approaches are mere ointments by comparison.
Rating:
Summary: You can't go wrong with this book!
Review: There are three types of business books. The first has the literary taste and texture of recycled cardboard, with platitudes as plentiful as the mosquitoes on your last camping trip. Then there are the "empty calorie" books, offering a fleeting sense of exhilaration--that is, until you actually stop to ponder how any of this feel-good nonsense is really going to make a difference in your day-to-day work experience. On occasion, one finds a book that is both pleasing to read and at the same time provides information that can be applied directly to improving one's work performance and enjoyment. Leadership and Self-Deception, by the Arbinger Institute, falls into this latter category. Although targeted towards the business leader, L&SD explores a fundamental problem that is not necessarily limited to the world of the corporate jungle. The problem, which is both philosophically deep yet surprisingly simple, is self-deception. A founding principle of the book is that we are self-deceived when we have a problem, but don't know that we do, resulting in perceptions and actions that are damaging and counter-productive. L&SD clearly illustrates how we become self-deceived and, more importantly, how we can remove ourselves from this predicament. L&SD is surprisingly fresh, insightful, and potentially rewarding for those who put the principles into practice. From the preface: "Our experience in teaching about self-deception and its solution is that people find this knowledge liberating. It sharpens vision, reduces feelings of conflict, enlivens the desire for teamwork, redoubles accountability, magnifies the capacity to achieve results, and deepens satisfaction and happiness." This was precisely my experience with reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: Get Out of The BOX
Review: This book is outstanding in helping with judgements and self-deception. The principles are taught and reflected in a business relationship enviorment. The new guy ends up learning how to deal more effectively with people at work and at home. This book is not just for business people. Leadership of Self-Deception is about every relationship. The story and concepts in the book help to open the veil that covers our minds and hearts which cause difficulties with people. The ideas within this book take you to the deepest levels of judging and dealing with people. You learn how to change your viewpoint to have healthy vibrant relationships with coworkers, family, friends, and anyone you meet. This book took me to a deeper level then Who Moved My Cheese and The One Minute Manger. There are twelve inches which seperates are head and heart. This book helps to bridge the gap and open us to better relationships.
Rating: 
Summary: In the box
Review: I think the "Light on content" reviewer is in the box! The concepts in this book COULD perhaps be contained in a small pamphlet, but Terry Warner's book guides the reader through useful and practical applications. Most people, including me, cannot simply read a pamphlet and expect the concepts contained therein to immediately change us. This book takes the time to help the reader internalize potentially life-changing ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Profound implications in an easy-to-read format
Review: I agree with all the other reviewers that this book goes beyond a business book. The principles in the book are so powerful that you cannot help referring to them constantly in your every day dealings with other people (from family or work). Written in the same fictional style as some other popular books, like WHO MOVED MY CHEESE, it can be easily read in a couple of hours. However, the truths in it have lasting effect, and definitively change the way you view life.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable
Review: So much of this kind of writing is common sense once you're done the book... but this kind of common sense needs to be reinforced over and over again. Written in an easy to follow narrative you find yourself relating to the main character, coming up with the same questions he has, and feeling the same feelings as he finds the truth about what he is living, feeling & learning. A quick read and a remarkable look into how you can live & work everday.
Rating: 
Summary: I suppose it could be useful ...
Review: ... but like most "leadership" books, it presents material that is more common sense than anything. However it may be the most obvious things that people overlook. Nonetheless, the book can inadvertently create even more of "a box" between those who believe in the book's mantra and those who don't. The former will accuse the latter of "being in the box" while the latter may argue how the content oversimplifies things. In reality, like most philosophies, the answer is probably in the middle somewhere. The book recommends that we should evaluate our relationships as those between people, rather than objects, and that any problems we see may really be problems with ourselves. This ignores the fact that there are in reality (albeit hopefully uncommon) low performers, disrespectful, and dishonest people, and sometimes the problem really is with them.
| 
