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Summary: a productive book on productive workplaces
Review: as assigned reading in a HRD graduate course PW proves to be a great resource and an enjoyable read. mr. weisbord opens his tool box and lets you choose from a wide array of tools to apply directly to HRD situations. he also shares his triumphs and his tragedies allowing the reader a better understanding of how he arrived at the pinnacle of his profession. i'm not given to a great deal of emotion or "warm fuzziness" but mr. weisbord's writings and experiences are so powerful i found myself totally absorbed. best of all mr. weisbord cuts to the chase and presents his material in a concise manner. a rare find when compared to the techno-babble double-speak crap most business writers are churning out...
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Summary: "Productive Workplaces" puts modern OD into context
Review: Marvin's book not only provides a wonderful historical context to OD, it provides great clarity into what the focus of OD should be - bringing Dignity, Meaning & Community to our working lives. In the first part of the book, he looks back at the key pioneers, from Taylor to Trist & Emery, and demonstrates how each added to dignity, meaning & community in their own way. It becomes very clear how "open systems" thinking evolved, and how the various philosophies therein should be applied. In the second part of the book, Marvin focuses in on practical applications of OD approaches and techniques, culminating with a very insightful, real-world case. Throughout, the themes were clear and consistent, and the messages powerful.This book is an absolute "must read" for anyone interested in OD as a profession, as well as for anyone interested in dramatically improving workplace productivity through dignity, meaning & community (and avoiding draconian cost cutting).
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Summary: "Productive Workplaces" puts modern OD into context
Review: Marvin's book not only provides a wonderful historical context to OD, it provides great clarity into what the focus of OD should be - bringing Dignity, Meaning & Community to our working lives. In the first part of the book, he looks back at the key pioneers, from Taylor to Trist & Emery, and demonstrates how each added to dignity, meaning & community in their own way. It becomes very clear how "open systems" thinking evolved, and how the various philosophies therein should be applied. In the second part of the book, Marvin focuses in on practical applications of OD approaches and techniques, culminating with a very insightful, real-world case. Throughout, the themes were clear and consistent, and the messages powerful. This book is an absolute "must read" for anyone interested in OD as a profession, as well as for anyone interested in dramatically improving workplace productivity through dignity, meaning & community (and avoiding draconian cost cutting).
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Summary: Excellent foundation of OD theory and practice.
Review: Productive Workplaces by Marvin R. Weisbord is a classic text on the evolution or organization development and, in Weisbord's words, organizing and managing for dignity, meaning and community. Those familiar with Weisbord's style will enjoy reading his narrative of the individuals and events that led up to the field of organization development as we now know it. In Part One, Weisbord takes the reader through the history of Frederick Taylor, Lewin, McGregor, Trist, Emery, and others who contributed to the evolution of the productive workplaces in which many of us are now fortunate enough to dwell. In Part Two, Weisbord translates theory into practice as he describes methods by which the workplace might be transformed. Finally, in Part Three, Weisbord encourages the reader to explore new and evolving theories, thereby continuing the growth and evolution of the field. Productive Workplaces is a classic that should not be missed by anyone even slightly interested in the field of organization development or workplace effectiveness. I am currently using it as a textbook for a graduate-level OD course and finding it to be invaluable.
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Summary: Excellent foundation of OD theory and practice.
Review: Productive Workplaces by Marvin R. Weisbord is a classic text on the evolution or organization development and, in Weisbord's words, organizing and managing for dignity, meaning and community. Those familiar with Weisbord's style will enjoy reading his narrative of the individuals and events that led up to the field of organization development as we now know it. In Part One, Weisbord takes the reader through the history of Frederick Taylor, Lewin, McGregor, Trist, Emery, and others who contributed to the evolution of the productive workplaces in which many of us are now fortunate enough to dwell. In Part Two, Weisbord translates theory into practice as he describes methods by which the workplace might be transformed. Finally, in Part Three, Weisbord encourages the reader to explore new and evolving theories, thereby continuing the growth and evolution of the field. Productive Workplaces is a classic that should not be missed by anyone even slightly interested in the field of organization development or workplace effectiveness. I am currently using it as a textbook for a graduate-level OD course and finding it to be invaluable.
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Summary: I think it is the Best and Most Comprehensive "OD" book ever
Review: The original Productive Workplaces was a wonderful overview of the past, present, and future of OD. I read it many times and recommended it to many consultants, who ALL enjoyed it. The updated book is also a joy to read and filled with gold nuggets of wisdom from this OD pioneer. The original book was way ahead of it's time and this "revisited" version is still visionary in many ways.
It is still hard to believe that Mr. Weisbord can tell such a compelling tale about the developments in the field while at the same time staying so grounded in the practical aspects of consulting and facilitating.
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Summary: Great on basic principles and history
Review: This book really puts together the evolution of theory on organizational change. Weisbord makes a compelling case for getting the system into one room to develop solutions that will be supported. Guidelines for actual interventions are not detailed how-tos. History and principles sections are excellent.
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