Rating: 
Summary: An exciting way of seing systems
Review: A first rate professional book. It deals with complex issues in a clear, intelligent and original way. The book offers a lot of added value to both consultants and managers. I find myself leafing through it many times, never failing to find new insights. The book contains both a thorough theoretical analysis and practical tools and concrete tips for dealing with tough issues that impact organizations, such as power, accountability and the "positional trap" . The book is full of inpiring insights on the possibilities of making organizations more robust through empowering people. After reading the book, we cannot help it but seing systems in a new and refreshing way.
Rating:
Summary: Truly points out why organizations are not fully aligned.
Review: As a 20 year professional in Organization Development, this book illuminates one of the most frustrating elements of a change agent...the ability to have the client or target experience their own responsibility for the current situation. Without that, one is powerless to effect productive change. One can still effect change, but it will be retaliatory or not understood in the context needed to allow people to see the issue clearly and not as a result of someone elses opinion.This book clearly illustrates these concepts and more and is a must read for everyone who wants to facilitate change effectively and productively. Isn't that everyone.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! What insight.
Review: As an organization change and transformation practitioner, I am often confronted with the initial overwhelming complexity of a new client organization. Seeing Systems provided me with a set of tools that make my life easier and interventions more effective. Simplistic? One might think so. But, you'd be wrong. I believe it to be a distillation of truths of organization theory. It's pure genius. The author understands organizations so well he is able to convey it to others in an understandable context. Oshry brings to life the consequences of being in different positions of power in the organization. I have taken his model and use it to look at each of my clients. It gives significant insight to understand why the organization works; why it doesn't and what to do. Read Seeing Systems atleast twice. After the first reading, go to work. What are the behaviors? How effective are the relationships? What are the outcomes? Now read Seeing Systems again. Go back into your organization. Observe the relationships. Apply the model. Predict the outcomes. You'll probably be right. Can't ask much more from a book. By the way, after reading Seeing Systems, I participated in a one-day workshop Oshry presented to the Dallas-Fort Worth Organization Development Network. I wasn't disappointed. He is, that good.
Rating:
Summary: A practical look into organizational dynamics
Review: Barry Oshry has given us a great gift with his entire body of work on power and systems. This book, Seeing Systems, is an excellent and practical example. There are several things that work well for me with this book. First is the refreshing and unique style that Barry chooses to present the information. He makes it easy to relate to and spells out the dynamics of complex interactions with a well crafted story. Second is that this body of work is the foundation for some internal training at my company. It receives excellent reviews because it really helps individuals see their role in the organization and offers practical approaches that are far more effective than the norm.
Rating:
Summary: A practical look into organizational dynamics
Review: Barry Oshry has given us a great gift with his entire body of work on power and systems. This book, Seeing Systems, is an excellent and practical example. There are several things that work well for me with this book. First is the refreshing and unique style that Barry chooses to present the information. He makes it easy to relate to and spells out the dynamics of complex interactions with a well crafted story. Second is that this body of work is the foundation for some internal training at my company. It receives excellent reviews because it really helps individuals see their role in the organization and offers practical approaches that are far more effective than the norm.
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for anyone in organizations or relationships
Review: Barry Oshry provides an insight into what he terms the "dance of blind reflex"; those patterns of behaviors we experience in organizations or relationships of any kind. He writes in a conversational tone which allows one to observe their less-than-desirable patterns of behavior and offers a choice. He reinforces that we can change the "dance" but it starts with being able to see the "dance" first. His book is a great start
Rating:
Summary: Human Systems are Keys to Partnership and collaboration
Review: I first struggled with the concepts because I am a student of organizational systems via Deming and the like. But this is a completely different viewpoint that provides a fantastic complement to the work of Deming, Weisbord and others looking at Open-systems theory. If you want to see the impact of Human Systems and the dynamics that influence an organizations ability to partner, collaborate, and move beyond the powerful vaccuum of the human behaviors that stall organizational growth, this will provide a whole new way to view the relationships of people, power, and personal leadership within open-systems. Mr. Cummings is right about the simplicity of the book in his review, it IS cartoon like at places. But let's be reminded how icons have changed the computer world and have worked to connect with people who need to remember things clearly, simply, and practically. People are visual learners and this book takes advantage of that reality. It's not written to be an IQ test - but to be clear and concise in boiling down the intricate and delicate issues, and choices, of human interaction in organizations. It focuses on helping the reader learn and apply. If that works for you - make it so.
Rating:
Summary: Human Systems are Keys to Partnership and collaboration
Review: I first struggled with the concepts because I am a student of organizational systems via Deming and the like. But this is a completely different viewpoint that provides a fantastic complement to the work of Deming, Weisbord and others looking at Open-systems theory. If you want to see the impact of Human Systems and the dynamics that influence an organizations ability to partner, collaborate, and move beyond the powerful vaccuum of the human behaviors that stall organizational growth, this will provide a whole new way to view the relationships of people, power, and personal leadership within open-systems. Mr. Cummings is right about the simplicity of the book in his review, it IS cartoon like at places. But let's be reminded how icons have changed the computer world and have worked to connect with people who need to remember things clearly, simply, and practically. People are visual learners and this book takes advantage of that reality. It's not written to be an IQ test - but to be clear and concise in boiling down the intricate and delicate issues, and choices, of human interaction in organizations. It focuses on helping the reader learn and apply. If that works for you - make it so.
Rating:
Summary: Useful frame for understanding our behavior in organizations
Review: I read this book about 6 years a go as a part of my graduate program on organizational learning. My reaction at that time was, "Wow! I feel as if I was blind and Now I See!." It was like I gained a secret lens through which the organizational behaviors were making more sense to me. I felt so enthralled with the book, I called the number on the back of the book to inquire how I could explore, experience and learn the Seeing Systems concepts further. I have not done that before or since. 6 years later, I still feel Barry Oshry's teachings are one of real gems in understanding organizations and their behavior mysteries. I have integrated these concepts into my own ways of thinking and being and use them to generate partnerships for impact. I most highly recommend this book to anyone who works with organizations including executives, organizational developers and change agents.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! I feel as if I was blind and now I SEE.
Review: I read this book about 6 years a go as a part of my graduate program on organizational learning. My reaction at that time was, "Wow! I feel as if I was blind and Now I See!." It was like I gained a secret lens through which the organizational behaviors were making more sense to me. I felt so enthralled with the book, I called the number on the back of the book to inquire how I could explore, experience and learn the Seeing Systems concepts further. I have not done that before or since. 6 years later, I still feel Barry Oshry's teachings are one of real gems in understanding organizations and their behavior mysteries. I have integrated these concepts into my own ways of thinking and being and use them to generate partnerships for impact. I most highly recommend this book to anyone who works with organizations including executives, organizational developers and change agents.
| 
