Rating: 
Summary: A readable "how to" book about organizational change
Review: The authors have produced a very lively and readable book that pulled me into the heart of positive change and the spirit of affirmation. Their stories of success establish them as credible organizational change experts. From the principles behind the theory, to the methods of operationalizing the change process, this book gives clear direction on how to start now and move your company (and its bottom line) in the right direction. Avoiding the dry and parched style of other OD books, The Power Of Appreciative Inquiry gently guides the reader on a path that allows each person to discover his/her own use of this wonderful change process. I recommend it highly to all small business owners.
Rating:
Summary: A readable "how to" book about organizational change
Review: The authors have produced a very lively and readable book that pulled me into the heart of positive change and the spirit of affirmation. Their stories of success establish them as credible organizational change experts. From the principles behind the theory, to the methods of operationalizing the change process, this book gives clear direction on how to start now and move your company (and its bottom line) in the right direction. Avoiding the dry and parched style of other OD books, The Power Of Appreciative Inquiry gently guides the reader on a path that allows each person to discover his/her own use of this wonderful change process. I recommend it highly to all small business owners.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Book for Managers and Leaders
Review: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry is a business book that all managers should include in their library. The book introduces the concept of Appreciative Inquiry (AI), which I personally had never heard of until I read this book. Basically, AI is a method of organizational change and improvement that focuses on what is called the 4D Cycle: Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny. The authors, Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom, clearly explain the theories and provide real world examples for each of these four phases. Discovery is the task of "discovering" what works in the organization-not what doesn't work or what is broken. Dream is a step in which the organization's members are challenged to "dream" what their organization should look and feel like when it is the ideal state (whether this is high customer satisfaction, unmatched product quality, cost containment, or a host of other goals). Design is the phase to determine how to get from the Discovery to the Dream. Destiny is the final phase where activities from Design are implemented.The authors have woven stories throughout the book that are interesting reads by themselves. I believe most people will follow the continuing saga of growth and organizational change at Hunter Douglas and relate to the issues they face. What is useful about the stories and experiences from Hunter Douglas is not so much an astounding new miracle approach. Rather, Whitney and Trosten-Bloom use this story to provide a practical discussion of how to involve people in the process of group organizational dynamics with AI as the methodology. The bottom line is that the book is a must read for people who either are or want to be leaders. The value of the book is not necessarily to determine whether you should implement AI directly, but that the message encourages you as a leader to develop a positive attitude and recognize the importance of positives and successes in the work environment. That message alone makes this book a contribution to your business book library.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have In Your Toolbox
Review: There are few business books that I have found to be both a joy to read, a useful tool, and something that brings spirit and passion into the workplace. This book does it all. It not only provides practical understanding and guidelines for Appreciative Inquiry. It offers the reader a new way of viewing the issues and concerns in their organization - a way that supports positive change and growth. It provides a model for recognizing strengths of any system and finding ways to leverage those strengths in creating the future. I use the book on a regular basis and have given it to clients - ranging from CEO's to change managers- who have found it thoughtful, helpful and exciting.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have In Your Toolbox
Review: There are few business books that I have found to be both a joy to read, a useful tool, and something that brings spirit and passion into the workplace. This book does it all. It not only provides practical understanding and guidelines for Appreciative Inquiry. It offers the reader a new way of viewing the issues and concerns in their organization - a way that supports positive change and growth. It provides a model for recognizing strengths of any system and finding ways to leverage those strengths in creating the future. I use the book on a regular basis and have given it to clients - ranging from CEO's to change managers- who have found it thoughtful, helpful and exciting.
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