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Summary: I Have Met the Enemy: Me
Review: Those who think highly of Who Moved My Cheese? will find this book especially valuable as they attempt to understand why so many people create their own problems, are unable to see that they are creating their own problems, and then resist any attempts by others to help them stop this disruptive cycle. The authors create a hypothetical situation in which a recently hired senior-level executive, Tom Callum, is settling into his new duties at Zagrum Company. He is surprised to learn that part of his orientation involves understanding what is identified to him as "the box." As revealed in the narrative which develops (Tom is the narrator), self-betrayal occurs when we fail to do what we know we should do. Rather than accept responsibility, we blame someone else. As this pattern of self-deception continues, we begin to see the world in a way that justifies us. As a result, whether we realize it or not (probably not), we find ourselves in "the box." It is important to understand that the box is not a fixed enclosure. People haul it around wherever they go, from one situation to the next, indeed from one job to the next, and from one marriage to the next. At the end of the business day, they take it home with them. I like the box metaphor because it correctly suggests enclosure and captivity. But in a sense, the box also resembles apparel. A raincoat, for example. Those who are in the box should have two separate but related objectives: Get out of the box and then stay out of the box. How? Good question. Through their skillful presentation of various conversations between and among Tom and his associates at Zagrum Company, the authors answer that question by offering several specific suggestions. It would be inappropriate for me to reveal them now. But think about it. How many times have you been in this situation? You know what you should do for another person but you don't do it. This is self-betrayal. (Sound familiar?) Then you devise all manner of self-justifications. Perhaps you have said something to the effect that "It's not my job" or "It's not my responsibility" or "It wouldn't make any difference to her anyway" or "He got what he deserves." This is self-deception. By the end of the book, Tom has completed Phase 1 of what the authors identify as a three-phase Results System™ and we have accompanied him each step of the way. The book ends with much of his personal growth yet to be completed. At this point, I offer a word of caution: Please do not conclude that this brief commentary reveals everything you need to know about this remarkable book. I urge you to obtain a copy immediately and read it, then re-read it. It can be valuable to your understanding of why so many people create their own problems, are unable and/or unwilling to see that they are creating their own problems, and then resist any attempts by others to help them stop creating those problems. This book will be even more valuable if you are among them...the "so many people."
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Summary: Get Out Of The Box
Review: My freshman roommate once told me that there are some books so precious to you that you are amazed that you can just buy them at the bookstore for $20 like everyone else. This is one of those books. The ideas in this book are so profound and far-reaching, any reader will be surprised that this is not some famous philosophical work. At first glance the ideas are easy to understand, but on the other hand, you can spend forever just trying to get a grip on them and trying to apply them. A basic sum-up is this: when you treat people like objects, you're in the box. When you sincerely care about their well-being and criticize them only when it is in their best interest (and not just out of vengeance, or to justify your mental picture of them), you are out of the box. All in all, this one makes it into my list of my favorite books ever written. Buy it: you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Invaluable reading for every philosophy student.
Review: Terry Warner has finally cracked the one riddle that has obsessed philosophers since the time of Thales: How is it possible to get rich from philosophy? Warner takes a handful of ideas from the same college existentialism class that most business majors ran from in terror, and repackages them so skillfully in the language of American corporate capitalism that CEO's now gladly fork over thousands for the privilege of listening to him. Naive philosophy professors everywhere--who actually made their ideas available free of charge, instead of copyrighting them as intellectual property, and setting up consulting firms to manage their distribution--can learn a lot from this book.
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Summary: a tremendous lesson, well developed and clear
Review: a simple little lesson even more fundamental for good and powerful human behavior than the golden rule -- but virtually unknown -- is revealed in this quick reading little story. i wish i'd read it 10 years ago; it's become a favorite among my closest friends and colleagues; it's cultural prerequisite for creating both great companies and superior family dynamics. it could be a little more elegantly written and a few angles could be more profoundly exposed, but all in all its absolutely worth a read. buy, try, enjoy :)
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Summary: Leadership is a state of mind, not a position
Review: This is an outstanding, easy to read book that I found hard to put down. The lesson is told as a short story in a fashion similar to the works of Dr. Ken Blanchard. The story slowly seduces you into realizing the failure of our own mental models that are hurting our effectiveness at work and at home. The author uses a childhood metaphor of a "box" to represent the mental trap that people fall into when interacting with other people. The key is rather simple in theory, but I find the practice difficult. When one has been in a box for years, it is hard to stand outside of the box. This is doubly difficult when others are still in their box while taunting you to return to yours. If this doesn't make sense, it will after you read this book. The insight is well worth the small price of it. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Eye opening! Really worth the money
Review: This is not a typical blah-blah book on skill or management technique. This book really go deep deep into the "heart issue" which is so fundamental before all the skills.
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Summary: Best of Breed
Review: I have followed the works of the Arbinger group for years. I have read previous works by them and have seen great changes begin in my life because of these fundamental truths. This newest book has put these bedrock principles into an engaging setting that pulls the reader into himself-letting the material "fit" into one's soul. The revelation of "the box" metaphor is unique in all that I have read over the years. I couldn't recommend a book more highly.
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Summary: Couldn't Put it Down
Review: I defy anyone to put this book down - business leader, parent, or spouse. Fabulous!
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Summary: Powerful Ideas that Work
Review: I must confess that I am familiar with the Arbinger concepts since I was introduced to them over 4 years ago when my son attended a wilderness program that uses these concepts. Like your reviewer Brian Thomas, at first, I was highly sceptical. But I decided that the concepts were worth a try and I put my scepticism aside. The resulting impact on my life and the life of my family has been truly extraordinary. The publication of this book finally puts Arbinger's concepts into an understandable form. I wish that I had had the benefit of this book when I first started exploring the concepts. It would have helped me considerably. For those familiar with the concepts, the book provides a useful refresher and reminder as we go through our daily struggle to stay "out of the box". This book is worthy of your consideration. I would highly recommend it.
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Summary: Universal application
Review: The concepts presented in this book can be applied universally to business as well as personal life. They are not "quick-fix" solutions focusing on the short-term, but rather an eye-opening experience for long-term results. It is written as if you are right there in the conference room with the main characters, and although it is a page-turner, I found it best to stop and reflect on the parallels and opportunities for application to my own life. Powerful, insightful, and a must-read!
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