Book Description

This worldwide best-selling book highlights the most recent trends and developments in global marketing-with an emphasis on the importance of teamwork between marketing and all the other functions of the business. It introduces new perspectives in successful strategic market planning, and presents additional company examples of creative, market-focused, and customer-driven action.Coverage includes a focus on customer relationship management, partner relationship management, the Internet and its effects and uses, brand building and brand asset management, alternative go-to-market channels, and marketing around the globe. Chapter topics discuss building customer satisfaction, market-oriented strategic planning, analyzing consumer markets and buyer behavior, dealing with the competition, designing pricing strategies and programs, and managing the sales forceFor marketing managers who want to increase their understanding of the major issues of strategic, tactical, and administrative marketing-along with the opportunities and needs of the marketplace in the years ahead. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

The "Bible" of Marketing
Phillip Kotler's Marketing Management is the the classic MBA marketing text. It's comprehensive and encyclopedic--that means its not an easy read. Kotler's writing style could be described as a list of lists. Each topic is parsed into its elements and he then recites all possible attributes.

The book has an enormous market share, which means it comes with every possible ancilliary product (for instructors who adopt the book) such as videos and power points. Because Prentice Hall sells so many of this book, they can afford to issue new editions on an accelerated, two-year cycle. The good news from this is it allows them to move with the times (in this edition, they've eliminated all the trivial "Did you know ...?" sidebars that detracted from the seriousness of the last "Millennial Edition." The bad news (from a student point of view) is that you may be forced to buy new, because used copies won't be correct.

However, this is one book that you'll want to keep on your professional library shelves--it's as much a reference as a text. All other marketing texts either derive from Kotler or distance themselves from this book, so you might as well go to the source.

IT RAMIFIED EVERY ASPECT OF MARKETING
Using a variety of case-study analyses, this "Marketing Management" elaborated on the principal concepts of 21st Century marketing. Post-graduate students, as well as practising professionals will find it useful. Its specialized chapters did their best in ramifying every aspect of marketing. Information is everywhere; although that its versatility led to the boring repetition of strategies.
This book is simple and well-written. It is very good; but in comparison, the "Principles of Marketing", which is cheaper and comes with an attached CD-ROM, (and was written by Gary Armstrong and this same Philip Kotler) offers much more for less money.

Marketing Management
The eleventh edition of this bestselling marketing management text reflects the recent trends and developments in global marketing. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork between marketing and all other functions of the business.

For teaching
Generally useful and apply to real life situation

Broad Focus
Kotler is a name synonomous with marketing. I have several of his books and have enjoyed them very much. It is a broad focus though. It doesn't dig very deep into specific industries of course. If you happen to be looking for restaurant marketing specific book recommendations, there are several at the Quantified Marketing Group website at www.quantifiedmarketing.com. We have several complimentary restaurant marketing resources and book recommendations there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (332)

principles stand the test of time
First published in 1937, this book is the result of 15 years of Dale Carnegie's research in human relations. When learned and applied, these 30 timeless principles will help you become more likable and influential in others' lives.

Millions of copies of this book have sold because the principles are basic and proven. Sure, some of the language is dated. Many of the characters and companies mentioned in these pages are no longer household names. Look beyond those quirks and you will find some of the most memorable and applicable people skills material ever produced.

With simple presentation and vivid examples, Carnegie deftly walks us through Fundamental Techniques in Handling People, Six Ways to Make People Like You, How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.

When material is this old and this good, it could sometimes be considered trite and nothing more than common knowledge. Don't fall into that trap. Until its principles become common practice in our lives, this book is just as necessary and effective today as it was more than six decades ago.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

The very best in self-help books!
What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

10 stars for this one!
When it comes to social skills, this book says it all. No need to look any further than this classic. To learn emotional and mental mastery and making the most of any situation, then Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self is your best choice. To learn how to deal with change, read Who Moved My Cheese. These resources give you all you need to be your best, get along with others and bring out the best from them.

Compelling book on developing social skills
If youwere to buy just 1 book of how to acquire people skills, How To Win Friends and Influence People should be that 1 book. This book is great. Written over 70 years ago, all of the principles still apply. Definitely add this one to your library, but more importantly, use it.

Timeless Advice
His advice is so obvious and so easy, so how come it's so difficult to do yourself and so rarely found in others? Is it cynicism or manipulation? No, it's human nature: Do Unto Others ...

THE FUNDAMENTALS

• "Speak ill of no man and speak all the good you know of everyone."
People react very badly to criticism; don't do it, not to their face nor behind their back ... especially not behind their back.

• Say "Thank You".
Express appreciation. People yearn, yearn to be appreciated.

• Talk about what people want and help them get it.
"Arouse in others an eager want."
Corollary: let others take credit for your ideas; they'll like your ideas a lot more if they believe them to be their own.

WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU

• Be happy to see people.
Greet everyone you meet and show an interest in them. Remember the things that are important to them.

• Smile!

• Remembers peoples' names!!
Remember it, use it when talking to them. A person's name sounds beautiful to them.

• Draw people out.
Encourage them to talk about themselves and their interests.

• Actively research the other person's interests.

• Every person you meet feels themselves superior to you in some way.
Strain to find out what that is and recognize their importance. Talk to people about themselves and they will listen to you for hours.

WIN PEOPLE TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING

• Don't argue!
Give in! Agree that the other person is right; often they are and if they aren't, you'll never convince them of it by arguing.

• Don't ever tell a person they're wrong.
They may be but telling them so is always counterproductive. It is difficult for a person to admit to themselves that they are wrong; harder still to admit it to others.

• If you know you're wrong, admit it.
Openly and freely admit whenever you're wrong. And always leave open the possibility that you're wrong even of you think you aren't.

• Friendliness begets friendliness.
Always begin that way. Don't accuse.

• Never neglect a kindness.
Look for ways to do or say something nice.

• Start out by emphasizing areas of agreement.
When a person has said "no" it's hard to get them to change even if they know they're wrong.

• Let the other person do most of the talking.
Listen patiently and don't interrupt. Let your friends be better than you.

• Let people come to your conclusions.
First, tell me what you expect of me; then tell me what I can expect of you. People will generally live up to the commitments they make to you as long as they came up with them on their own.

• Think always in terms of the other person's point of view.
Where they stand depends on where they sit; figure out where they're sitting.

• ¾ of the people you will ever meet are dying for sympathy.
Give it to them and they will love you.

• A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

• Dramatize your ideas.
"Don't use logic; tell stories." Make your ideas visible, concrete. Bear in mind that people don't know until you show them what you mean.

• Stimulate in others their innate desire to excel (perhaps through a friendly challenge or through competition).

BE A LEADER

• Don't go sailing into difficult interpersonal situations with guns blazing. You'll always get a negative reaction.

• Change "but" into "and".
Be indirect in your criticism. Praise before you condemn.

• Ask questions rather than giving orders.

• Be very careful to help others preserve their dignity.

• People crave recognition: praise the smallest improvement and praise every improvement.

• Treat people as though they had the virtues you wished they possessed.
Give them a reputation to live up to and they will work like crazy to live up to it.

• Praise the good; minimize the bad: encourage.
Make achievement seem possible. Take and encourage little baby steps. Seek out even the most insignificant of successes.

• Napoleon: I could conquer the world if only I had enough ribbon. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Effectively managing personnel--as well as one's own behavior--is an extraordinarily complex task that, not surprisingly, has been the subject of countless books touting what each claims is the true path to success. That said, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton's Now, Discover Your Strengths does indeed propose a unique approach: focusing on enhancing people's strengths rather than eliminating their weaknesses. Following up on the coauthors' popular previous book, First, Break All the Rules, it fully describes 34 positive personality themes the two have formulated (such as Achiever, Developer, Learner, and Maximizer) and explains how to build a "strengths-based organization" by capitalizing on the fact that such traits are already present among those within it.

Most original and potentially most revealing, however, is a Web-based interactive component that allows readers to complete a questionnaire developed by the Gallup Organization and instantly discover their own top-five inborn talents. This device provides a personalized window into the authors' management philosophy which, coupled with subsequent advice, places their suggestions into the kind of practical context that's missing from most similar tomes. "You can't lead a strengths revolution if you don't know how to find, name and develop your own," write Buckingham and Clifton. Their book encourages such introspection while providing knowledgeable guidance for applying its lessons. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Mentoring, not hand-holding
I've read quite a few of these kinds of books starting way back when with "What Color is Your Parachute," through "The Acorn Principle" and "Please Understand Me." This has been a long-term process of discovering my interests, talents, abilities, skills, knowledge, preferences, and potential - always with the intention of finding my true calling in life.

But this book is not just another addition to that list; this is a superior method for focusing in on very specific talents and strengths and clarifying your own thinking about your life choices. The assessment and categories of strengths are more straightforward than taking the Meyers-Briggs or other similar tests. The book confirms some of what I already knew, but completely clarified the concept of natural talent combined with skills and knowledge creating the strengths that one can use throughout their life.

People have complained in other reviews that some of the book is "fluff" or that it doesn't tell you what job to go get. This is only true for people who want one 250-page book to answer some of the greatest of life's questions. I greatly appreciate that the authors give simple, straightforward examples and their own theories quickly and pointedly. They leave it up to ME to make decisions based on that information.

If you are prepared to do the work over the course of time and use this book as a mentor (not a nanny who tells you what to do) you will gain great insight into yourself and your path.

Management, Not Psychology
As a manager, perhaps one of our greatest challenges is juggling the uniqueness of our employees. It's not our job to fix them, rather it's our job to facilitate their success.

I agree with what "First, Break All the Rules" said, in that, we should seek to build the strengths of our employees rather than fix their weaknesses. But, I walked away from that book saying "ok, that was great, but how do you determine a strength or talent?"

"Now, Discover your Strengths" gives practical insights on the strengths and inate talents of people. I was impressed by this and also by the real life examples of people displaying the stregth being discussed. The disheartening thing about the test is that it only gives your top 5 strengths when it's likely that 8-10 strenths are outwardly shown (in my opinion).

Unlike other readers, I DID NOT see this and the online test as meant to be a "personality" test. Quite the contrary. I believe it accurately measures what it says it does: STRENGTHS.

I'm looking forward to applying this information to the organizations I work with.

Since my question after reading the first book (how do you determine someone's strenghts?) was answered with "Now Discover your Strenthgs", I'm guessing that if there is a third book, it will discuss what to do with your strengths now that they're discovered.

beware of used copies
An integral part of this book is the online profile. Each copy of this book comes with a unique PIN number inside the book jacket. If you buy a used copy, the PIN number may be already used, and thus will not allow you to use the online profile. However, the book is still interesting if you enjoy reading through the signature themes and guessing what your profile would have uncovered. It is also fun to read each theme and think of people you know who come to mind, and consider ways in which you can support their strengths.

I would give this book 5 stars if an unlimited number of people could use the online profile with each book purchase.

A motivating speaker
I saw Marcus Buckingham speak at the SHRM Conference last week in New Orleans and it was an excellent complement to the book. Very motivating and enlightening as is the book. I also purchased the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook which I saw recommended on this page and that title is excellent as well.

Take these lessons beyond the work place
Excellent read, Clifton gives clarity and tools for success. I enjoyed the online inner strength tests very much and found it fascinating. While Clifton gives us the the key to unlocking our abilities and the confidence to pursue the path, it is up to us to take the journey.
I have taken this book and its philosophies into my personal life as well, filling everyday.
Everyone has different things that can free them further.

I started singing because I had always secretly found that to be exhilerating. I bought singing lessons on CD off of Amazon,
"Voice lessons To Go" by Vaccarino- fantastic!

I also purchased and carefully followed the "New Sex Now" video by Arte with my husband- it was mind blowing for us.

Just those two examples show how much I have removed my own personal fear in life. The kind that held me back and locked my strengths in. You know the strength is there in any crisis, why not manifest them into your eveyday? How powerful is that? ... Read more

Book Description

* Completely revised and streamlined for course use including expanded problems and exercises.
* Content has been refocused on the critical aspects of project management.
* Supplemented by instructors packages for both academic use and corporate trainers, includes online PowerPoint(r) presentations, student workbook, instructor's manual, and a new book of case studies. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The Best Made Even Better!
I have relied on this book for years as the single source for the critical project management information I've needed. The only way the author could have improved it is by streamlining some of the content. I bought my copy of the 8th edition - and he has done just that! This book has been completely revised and streamlined! It is still the best source of information for the PMI Certification Exam. I rely on it almost daily as an off-the-shelf reference while I'm on the job! If you have skipped buying Kerzner's book in the past because you've seen it all - now's the time to upgrade your library.

The Source for Project Management Questions
If you have questions on any aspect of Project Management, this is the book to consult. From organizational behavior and structure to planning, scheduling and controlling processes vital to the successful practice of project management. Most of the vital issues are discussed in a thorough, thoughtful way.

If the book has a weakness, it is in the area of Integration - in my mind, the most difficult section of the PMP exam. The book is not only written as an undergraduate and graduate students, but also functional and senior managers. Its structure reveals the author's apparent belief that the practice of project management is more behavioral than quantitative.

His first five chapters lay the foundation for an understanding of project management principles. Chapters 6 through 8 deal with support functions of conflict and time management; chapters 9 and 10 deal with management support. Quantitative approaches to planning, time, cost and performance are developed in Chapters 11 to 15. Chapter 16 deals discusses trade-offs. The balance of the book deals with advanced topic and future trends.

If your budget limits you to the purchase of one project management, this is the one to own.

This book is not a how to.
I had to use this book for a project management class. I can safely say that everyone taking the course dislikes this book. I could see this being used as a reference later on after one has a good foundation built in project management but as for someone looking to break in to the subject, without someone who is experienced in PMP standing over you explaining the confusing charts and graphs, this book would bore someone to the point that the rewards of project management aren't worth the torture of having to read this book.

Not engaging, too repetitive, and ineffectual bulleted lists
I am a 2nd-year MBA student taking a course in Project Management, and this is the required text for the course. The professor insists that this is the preferred text for PM courses at other universities, but everyone in the class (the professor included) is thoroughly unimpressed by this book.

The first half of the book focuses largely on soft skills, and is mainly a rehash of the topics covered in a basic organizational behavior class, or even a psychology or sociology class. The material covered is very dry and very repetitive, and is almost entirely solid text, with few diagrams to illustrate the points of the discussion. The author also makes excessive use of verbose bulleted lists. Normally, I appreciate bulleted lists as an easy to read, concise way of conveying information, but this author often composes each bullet point as its own paragraph. Such an approach defeats the purpose of using bullets in the first place.

The second half of the text does improve somewhat over the first half. It begins an explanation of the more tangible aspects of project management, including the creation of work breakdown structures, scheduling projects, making budget projections, and applying techniques to keep a project on track. However, the style of writing is still quite thick, and makes for a slow read.

As of now, I have limited exposure to project management, and I have read no other books to which I can compare this one. However, I would be surprised if there isn't a better book on the market. Kerzner's book will eventually give you the information you're seeking, but you'll have to work hard to get there, and you'll need to wade through a lot of excess to get to the real meat of the topic.

Comprehensive. One stop for Project Management knowledge.
Several people I have talked to seem to have mixed feelings about this book. Most never get past the first few pages in the book and many are afraid not to have this book prominently displayed on their desks. The latter is to avoid someone mistaking them for a junior project manager.

The best way to review this monumental book on project management is to list the most common arguments for and against the book.

The book presents comprehensive knowledge of project management that you can substitute only by purchasing several books on the subject by other authors. Dr. Harold Kerzner is also one of the most respected experts on Project Management. Dr. Kerzner now has several companion books to supplement this main text book. One area that the book was considered lacking in the past was with regards to case studies. You can now buy his latest book that is dedicated to covering just case studies. The writing style is extremely easy to read and follow. Once you read his explanation on any topic, you will find that it is hard to disagree with him because his explanations are very compelling.

The reasons many people have disliked the book - the book is too boring to read, it is too long a book, it is a compilation of bullet lists, there are not enough case studies (or problems/exercises), etc. I can't say anything about the first complaint because it is actually true but if you are in the middle of a project and have a burning question, I can promise you that is isn't so boring to pull up the relevant section in the book and find a reasonable explanation to your question. The book is very long because it is an exhaustive treatment of the Project Management field. There is no reason to read it in one sitting. Regarding being a compilation of bullet lists, it does seem that way. But when you have been in project management for a while and have an appreciation for the difficulty of the field, the lists don't get in the way. The author has enough explanations surrounding the bullet lists that I never found them annoying. To address the complaints regarding case studies, problems/exercises, there is now a book dedicated to case studies and I believe there have always been workbooks that he authored which contained more problems/exercises.

A good approach to follow regarding the usage of this book is to buy it early on in your career but stop after reading just the first few chapters. As you are gaining experience and have been exposed to a majority of the project management field, it is time to refer to this book more often. I have followed the book through several editions over the years and looked up various topics as questions popped up in my mind while going through a project. I am yet to finish the whole book (this is my 7th year reading the various editions of his book) after all these years but I didn't expect to. It is a great reference book and I have been using it as one.

There are better books to read on project management if you looking for a quick overview. 'The Little Black Book of Project Management' by Michael Thomsett comes to mind along with 'Project Management - Planning and Control' by Rory Burke. If you are looking for help with the PMP preparation, I highly recommend 'PMP Exam Prep' by Rita Mulcahy. Read my review on her book for more detailed information on taking the exam.

IIL offers several Project Management classes that are taught by excellent instructors if you like what you read in this book and are looking for more of the same. A copy is given out as part of the class materials (for some of their classes). I hope you benefit from reading this book as much as I did and thanks for your patience. This is indeed a difficult book to review. ... Read more

Book Description

Development First is concise guide that provides practical ways to integrate development with your responsibilities and goals so you can do your job better, now and in the future."First" is an acronym for the five simple steps that can help drive your development. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Career and personal development planning made easy!
This book has no-nonsense suggestions and practical tips on how to take charge of your personal development. I'm more cognizant of my behavior and the positive and negative forces that affect my development at work and in life. The FIRST model the authors use helps me remember that my development is continual, involving myself *and* interaction with others, and I am always evolving. I was really challenged to be honest with myself, and the action steps and suggestions for involving others have helped me be more accountable for moving my career the direction I want it to go. Easy-to-read, motivating, and challenging! (Leader As Coach by the same authors is also a good read. ... Read more

Download Description

Do you want to get ahead in life?

Climb the ladder to personal success?

The secret, master networker Keith Ferrazzi claims, is in reaching out to other people. As Ferrazzi discovered early in life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships–so that everyone wins.

In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps–and inner mindset–he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his Rolodex, people he has helped and who have helped him.

The son of a small–town steelworker and a cleaning lady, Ferrazzi first used his remarkable ability to connect with others to pave the way to a scholarship at Yale, a Harvard MBA, and several top executive posts. Not yet out of his thirties, he developed a network of relationships that stretched from Washington’s corridors of power to Hollywood’s A–list, leading to him being named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 and selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the Davos World Economic Forum.

Ferrazzi’s form of connecting to the world around him is based on generosity, helping friends connect with other friends. Ferrazzi distinguishes genuine relationship–building from the crude, desperate glad–handling usually associated with “networking.” He then distills his system of reaching out to people into practical, proven principles. Among them:

Don’t keep score: It’s never simply about getting what you want. It’s about getting what you want and making sure that the people who are important to you get what they want, too.

“Ping” constantly: The Ins and Outs of reaching out to those in your circle of contacts all the time–not just when you need something.

Never eat alone: The dynamics of status are the same whether you’re working at a corporation or attending a society event&mdash “invisibility” is a fate worse than failure.

In the course of the book, Ferrazzi outlines the timeless strategies shared by the world’s most connected individuals, from Katherine Graham to Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan to the Dalai Lama.

Chock full of specific advice on handling rejection, getting past gatekeepers, becoming a “conference commando,” and more, Never Eat Alone is destined to take its place alongside How to Win Friends and Influence People as an inspirational classic.

Reviews (46)

Simply Worth it
I do not buy many books. I only buy the ones that I am interested in keeping. If I only want to read a book, I simply get it in the library.

After reading a few reviews of "Never Eat Alone" I went to my local bookstore to have a closer look at it. Although I definitely liked the look of the book, my first reaction was "No, too expensive". And it is expensive! But then I sat down to read some passages. The more I read, the more interested I was becoming... You know the outcome - I finally DID buy it. I don't think I need to say anything else...

The other books that I have recently bought:

"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. This book actually prompted my interest in "Never Eat Alone" as they are both offered by Amazon in one package.
"Can We Live 150 Years" by Mikhail Tombak - this one is so INEXPENSIVE

I Just Ordered 5 more copies of this Book !
Excellent! A must-read for seasoned professionals wanting to expand their sales, or young people coming up the ladder needing to know "how things really work". The book is very easy to read and quite entertaining, and actually helped me yesterday respond correctly to an important opportunity.

The section on how to get through a very tough secretary, to talk the Boss, is priceless.

If I see a 28 year-old buying his very own Gulfstream IV jet, it'll probably be because he read this book and applied the lessons in it.

Critiques and criticisms - Is this for real?
A review of a book is meant to be an opinion.Something that others can reference to find a comparison point and understand better whether they are appropriately interested in a text or manuscript - and subsequently how much value they may place on it within the context of their own lives.

I will provide these items to note: I read first through the negative critiques of Keith's book, I continued to scan quickly through the positive ones - to which I give limited weight.An important first step to understand whether the book is really valuable or not.I then proceeded to evaluate the book from an image/impression point of view.Lastly, I read and evaluated whether the book might have value in my life as a professional.Not in the life of others.Not in the life of similar people.In my life.Is it valuable to me.This is what I came up with:

Opines of the naysayers:
Many of the critiques (there were many - which usually makes for at least a marketable, controversial piece of literature) were overloaded with negative connotations about 'manipulation', 'deception', 'dishonesty', and 'insincerity' with the processes used by Keith to acquire friends, and take advantage of these friends and their relationships.Several reviewers also go out of their way to show how he drops names everywhere and glorifies himself and 'toots' his own horn throughout his book..

My first guess is that most of those who are commenting in this way do NOT have the same level of connectivity that Keith has established through many years of building a network.That said, what Keith has done implements applying these name drops to actual experiences where dropping names can be of value.

Think about it objectively - would you attend a party where you know there would be wealthy billionaires attending or one where you can meet with typical professionals in your field who you have little knowledge of whether they are successful.Yes, I'm sure there's some humility involved in this process.Keith touched on that a few times in his book - including his efforts to consider respect for all levels of individuals (you really don't know who they know).This includes his comments about learning from his past mistakes as he shot up through the ranks.But human beings are social animals.There is a pecking order in life (even if you don't believe it).There are people who live life more fully (not necessarily financially) and those who live it less so than you.

Most importantly, as a reader you must be able to sift that material out of the picture.Keith uses it to depict a point or concept, not only to glorify himself.And even if he does, does it really matter?You are seeking to determine whether you will use his techniques to modify your lifestyle and adopt one where friendships are also business-related and vice-versa.In most of his book, he also adds that he is expected to provide the same for others.Just because he asked a friend to help him out and move him further along the success curve or happiness curve doesn't mean that he has done anything wrong.Keith supports this with his variation of 'pay it forward' and 'reciprocity' where he expects others to ask the same of him - in which case he would submit appropriately.

I must admit, some of the stars that Keith hangs out with - however briefly - are truly spectacular movers and shakers.With that comes a bit of caution, as we all know the tendency for a definite increase in the nose gradient as people begin to associate with top dogs of the world.But in Keith's case, he has earned that right by moving through the ranks of truly effective firms and reaching the stardom through hard work and perseverance (and in many cases, networking).

Ultimately, the naysayers have neglected to consider that the world is built of social structures and every situation has political motives so long as complete trust is not delivered and accepted by all parties involved.Keith's concepts prove to be a great way to increase the trust levels required to build strong forthcoming relationships that don't 'wither on the vine' but are recirculated and built into powerful abilities for accomplishment however great or small.

Most of the naysayers have the wrong reasons for criticizing - they attack him personally and not the content of his book for whatever reasons.Certainly criticizing him for self-aggrandizement cannot be considered that much out of line, as all he's doing is supporting his processes, thoughts, and perhaps his personal business through his book.However, he has no obligations at all to share his experiences with the public, and by doing so, opens himself up to more than just criticism.

Moving onward to the next topic - the image/impression of the book.

I was amazed at the fluorescent orange cover with some strange words about eating on it.At first I would have no clue this book was about networking (which I believe many of the first people to spot the book had a difficult time anyway).But then I saw that it relates closely to FedEx's branding strategy with their color coordination, and even the 'XXX for dummies' line of books.It stands out from the rest of the pack based on the color coordination.Given that the book relates to personal branding and marketing of oneself for moving forward in corporate circles, it wouldn't be thrown out as an outcast.

The image of the book can be summarized to me as the following:
Building Shareholder Value in You - in a highly adventurous manner.The least I would call it would be conservative.Some of his techniques require lifestyle changes.Some of his methods are radical.

Last topic - The book.

There are successful people who do NOT use Ferrazzi's methods to achieve success.There are also individuals who avoid relationships altogether, yet still are able to accomplish their aims in achieving happiness, financial freedom, and significant life accomplishments.However, 'Never Eat Alone' touches on one aspect of achieving success through the building of relationships and the empowerment of others to help you.Does this mean you are taking advantage of others?Does this mean you are establishing an inequitable relationship?Does this mean you are being dishonest or unethical?

For me, business has always been a 2-way street.Keith stresses this point throughout his book.He goes back to the classic adages of the past such as 'do unto others...', and 'you have to give to get', et. al.He puts them together and shows how when applied, they really have value - because ultimately that's how social structures are built.They have time-tested foundations of common knowledge, that not everyone has accepted or can accept.For me, his techniques were preaching to the choir.However, his book is great for those who have yet to believe it and can see true effects from their conditions of helping others out.He does not condone opportunism (at least not unethical opportunism) however, he does support business sense.In all transactions you have a buyer and seller, and in networking, you have the same.Except, just as it was ages ago, you are bartering, not buying with currency.What you barter is information primarily, but also other things such as emotional empathy.For instance when you call up your contact on their birthday to let them know, you have made a significant exchange of emotional empathy - showing you care.Even if you have some ideas in mind of what you'd like to get from your friend in the future - maybe a business reference, or a possible job contact, or maybe admission to a country club.Keith stresses that your gift, trade, exchange, whatever, has to be given in good faith.You have to mean what you say/do with genuineness and sincerity.This aspect of his technique justifies the methodology (and in many cases anything else will immediately negate the value of what you contribute to a relationship)

Ultimately, the book was a refresher course in mixing with people, both high and low in status.It provides some great tips on how to address specific situations, and the value of face-to-face as opposed to single channels of communication.It stresses the importance of relationships - although it may not apply in all circumstances.And lastly, was an easy read in story format.Some of these things - for salespeople or marketing folks - should be inherent to their nature.

Other items, like the name droppings, well, that's for show.If you can read through show, then maybe you can understand the wealth of information underneath.

Just my humble opinion.

As a side note and disclaimer: I have had the fortune of meeting Keith, and from my limited impression, he does believe and follow his scriptures.

Mostly good....
This is actually a great book.I heard the author speak twice at Wharton Business School & then read the book.You have to be willing to get through a lot of name dropping, descriptions of how cool the author is and overly detailed stories of things he has done (which are usually, but not always, related to the topic in hand) but there are a lot of great ideas and tips in here.He even explains, for the socially retarded, how to run a dinner party step-by-step!

This is an important book
I've read quite a few business books over the last year, and this one stands out for me.It's presented me with a radically different worldview.

Where I would approach a task with the question "How do I get this done?", Keith approaches it with "Who are the people that can help me get this task done?"This is a stunning shift in one's point of reference.I wish I'd read this book 20 yrs ago.
... Read more

Book Description

When it was initially written in 1987, few could have predicted that The Leadership Challenge would become one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. Now, faced with the new challenges of our unpredictable global business environment, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner--two of the country's premier leadership experts--have completely revised and updated their classic book. Building on the knowledge base of their previous books, the third edition of The Leadership Challenge is grounded in extensive research and based on interviews with all kinds of leaders at all levels in public and private organizations from around the world. In this edition, the authors emphasize that the fundamentals of leadership are the same today as they were in the 1980s, and as they've probably been for centuries. In that sense, nothing's new. Leadership is not a fad. While the content of leadership has not changed, the context has-and in some cases, changed dramatically.

... Read more

Reviews (33)

Guidelines and Parameters for the Perilous Journey Within
I recently re-read this brilliant book before proceeding to Kouzes and Posner's more recently published Encouraging the Heart. I highly recommend both and suggest that they be read in the order in which they were written. Those of us who presume to review books such as this one can merely indicate their breadth and depth of substance as well as their stimulation of thought about the material presented. For example, Kouzes and Posner identify what they call "five leadership practices common to successful leaders" and then suggest ten "behavioral commitments" among those leaders studied. Here they are:

Practice: Challenge the process
Commitments: (1) Search for opportunities and (2) Experiment and take risks

Practice: Inspire a shared vision
Commitments: (3) Envision the future and (4) Enlist others

Practice: Enable others to act
Commitments: (5) Foster collaboration and (6) Strengthen others

Practice: Model the way to the desired objectives
Commitments: (7) Set the example and (8) Plan small wins

Practice: Encourage the heart of everyone involved
Commitments: (9) Recognize individual contribution and (10) Celebrate accomplishments

Those who conduct "360 Feedback" programs could do much worse than to base evaluations on criteria suggested by these practices and commitments. They provide the thematic infrastructure of the material which Kouzes and Posner present within seven Parts. The first introduces key concepts and terms: "Knowing What Leadership Is Really All About." Each of Parts Two-Six is devoted to one of the five Practices. Kouzes and Posner conclude with Part Seven, "The Beginning of Leadership', followed by two appendices which enable the reader to complete "The Personal Best Questionnaire" before reviewing "The Leadership Practices Inventory."

There are dozens of outstanding books on leadership and this is one of the best. I am especially impressed by the balance Kouzes and Posner maintain throughout between theory and practice. More specifically, they introduce and explain various core concepts and then draw upon real-world situations to illustrate those concepts. Obviously, "Encouraging the Heart" (Part Six) introduces ideas which Pouzes and Posner develop in much greater depth in a sequel volume which bears the same name. They conclude this book as follows: "We have said that leaders take us to places we have never been before. But there are no freeways to the future, no paved highways to unknown, unexplored destinations. There is only wilderness. If you are to step into the unknown, the place to begin is with the exploration of the inner territory." Those who agree (as do I) with these final remarks are urged to check out David Maister's Practice What You Preach, Tim Sanders' Love Is the Killer App, David Whyte's The Heart Aroused, and Larry Davis' Pioneering Organizations.

Had to read this one again
I read the original book a few years ago and found the information very inspirational. I was happy to see the updated printing has chapters on corporate downsizing and covered the loss of jobs due to increased technology in the workplace. Now more than ever companies have to work smarter with fewer employees and this book has the insight on getting that job done. I also recommend reading Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey a great week-by-week guide to motivating employees.

A wonderful thesis on the leadership practices
This is a book about bringing out the best in oneself and in the other people. A must read for anyone trying to achieve self-fulfillment and improve their impact on the world.

Most other books on this topic talk about well-known personalities, but this one focuses on the underlying leadership practices using examples of ordinary people as the leaders, in turn emphasizing that each one of us can choose to become a leader. Some books are for a sail-through reading while others are for digesting. "The Leadership Challenge" requires slow chewing and a deliberate assimilation of the teachings and research presented, for the new learnings to become an acquired habit or a second nature. My top-most learning is that leadership is not a place or a peak to be conquered, but rather a skill with which the journey through one's life can become far more fulfilling. The Leadership practices as presented are independent of one's position in an organization, and can be exercised at all levels.

It is about interactions, relationships and what one does to inspire others for uplifting their performance and efficiency. Similarly, it talks about practicing leadership skills in one's own personal life by credible communications, setting standards and expectations, and following fair means to achieve these. Leadership is indeed everyone's business, to seek continuous improvements and not become stagnant in one's life.

"The Leadership Challenge" book stands apart from others by giving examples of ordinary people who overcame their own adverse circumstances to make a differences to others around them. If everyone learns and practices the art of Leadership as presented, it will provide an inner fulfillment by realizing one's own full potential while improving the overall state of affairs in the world.

"Unequivocally superior book on leadership"
As other reviewers have commented; there is a ton of information in this book. I will add; tons of fantastic information! This is a book I have been reading sporadically for the past nine months. Why have I taken so long to read it? I will read it for a while, put it aside, read another book, then return to this one. It is profound. The only book on leadership better than this (maybe): Principle Centered Leadership.

The copy I read was the first edition. I've skimmed through this edition and found that the authors have added websites and other informative stuff to keep it up to date.

Each time I've returned to this book I wonder: why did I ever put it down? If you are a manager or an aspiring leader, like me...Read this one. You'll be glad you did. I know for a fact, this book is required reading for certain business majors.

The foundation for all the others
I know that it's a cliche to call anything other than the Bible, a "Bible," but this is The Leadership Bible, nonetheless. If this is not in your library and a large part of your leadership journey, you are way way way behind the curve. Kouzes and Posner have been conducting some of the most significant leadership reasearch on the planet for over 20 years--and you'll find all that accumulated wisdom in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Kreitner and Kinicki's Organizational Behavior, 6th Edition, continues its tradition of being up-to-date, relevant and user-driven.Kreitner and Kinicki's approach to organizational behavior is based on the authors' belief that reading a comprehensive textbook is hard work, but that the process should be interesting (and sometimes fun).Thus, they consistently attempt to find a way to make complex ideas understandable through explanations, contemporary examples, and/or learning exercises.

The cover again depicts the well known visual brand of Wolves.This remains a central theme because Kreitner and Kinicki see wolves as an instructive and inspiring metaphor for modern Organizational Behavior.Wolves are dedicated team players, great communicators, and adaptable.These are key success attributes in today's workplace. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Common sense in a bound volume
This book discusses a topic that is a grab bag of different disciplines and has nice illustrations but i dont know if it is worth close to $100. Anyone who has significant work history intuitively knows a bulk of the material in this book. The book could be condensed to include the hard data and scientific findings and leave out much of the intuitively obvious commentary. This book is no worse than scores of similar textbooks on 'soft'topics but with the way prices are going many students are captive buyers,forced to buy textbooks at the teacher's request for perhaps questions used in the book for grading purposes while the general info can readily be found in college libraries.

Scholar's choice
The book may be a good choice for a scholar of OB. If you are a graduate student like I am, you may find it difficult to follow and overloaded with scientific terms. To my mind, the simpler the better, which this book is not. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than twenty years, millions of managers in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses nationwide have followed The One Minute Manager's techniques, thus increasing their productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. These very real results were achieved through learning the management techniques that spell profitability for the organization and its employees.

The One Minute Manager is a concise, easily read story that reveals three very practical secrets: One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings, and One Minute Reprimands.

The book also presents several studies in medicine and the behavioral sciences that clearly explain why these apparently simple methods work so well with so many people. By the book's end you will know how to apply them to your own situation and enjoy the benefits.

That's why The One Minute Manager has continued to appear on business bestseller lists for more than two decades, and has become an international sensation.

Reviews (97)

Got a few minutes?
"The One Minute Manger" by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson teaches the readers the three skills to achieving effective management. Although the keys to being an effective and successful manager, as described by Blanchard and Johnson, seems unbelievably simple, they will strike an understanding chord among most people who have ever managed and supervised employees. Not because managers typically follow the principles, but precisely because these simple principles are ones that they intuitively know they should be practicing yet do not because of lack of conviction in the methods, worry about changing management styles, low level of interest, or apprehension that they will take too much time.

Not to fear, Blanchard and Johnson address these concerns in their short simple book. The allegory starts off with a young man in search of an effective manager. Initially disillusioned by the managers he encounters, who are only results-oriented at the expense of the employees or only people-oriented at the expense of the organization, the young man discovers The One Minute Manager. The young man learns from The One Minute Manager and the people whom he manages the philosophy of the one-minute management style. The authors gradually convince the readers through examples, anecdotes, explanations, and quotable quotes why and how their three principles, when followed appropriately, actually work. A brief guideline list accompanies each of the three management skills: the "one minute goal setting," "one minute praising," and "one minute reprimand." There is even a concise flow chart to help solidify the management principles into one page near the end of the book; no doubt, designed to be cut-out or photocopied and posted in every manager's office. By the end of the short 60 minutes required to finish the book, most readers will be convinced to at least test out the method. After all, the title of the book already suggests that time commitment is not an issue; one can become an effective manager by investing a short 60-second of time. When one reads the book, this really translates to several 60-second intervals per day, but the amount of time will be much less than what most managers are used to.

More effective management in significantly less time? Is it possible? The authors certainly make a compelling yet uncomplicated and clear case for this. One does have to wonder if this is too easy. Will it work for managing all types of people in all types of organizations? How about the slackers? Or the employee who is the wrong fit for the job, doesn't have the appropriate training, or lacks motivation? How about the company with a long tradition of top-down management style? The book doesn't get mired in the details or specifics of every possible variation or situation; instead it attempts to provide the general strategies of effective management. The simple message of the book is to focus on making people feel valued which will lead to greater self-motivation and increased productivity for the individual and organization. As the One Minute Manager best described it, "People who feel good about themselves produce good results." And because they are not difficult to understand, learn, or implement, the skills can be readily used by most managers immediately.

The book is not only for managers of people. The message from the book is relevant to anybody interacting with people or when managing your own work and life. For example, I can utilize the skills to not only manage the people who report to me, but also in working with my colleagues or my supervisor, although the lesson on reprimanding may be less applicable in such situations. The most useful setting to apply the skills, perhaps, is when teamwork is involved, such as in committees, meetings, and group projects. This is when setting goals and timelines are critical and working effectively with colleagues, including giving praise and constructive criticism, is paramount to success. Furthermore, I can even see me being a One Minute Manager to myself, be it in the work environment, personal life, educational pursuits, or participation in hobbies. Who wouldn't want to be happier and have better results in all of these activities? I wouldn't mind impressing my boss more, fulfilling all my New Year's resolutions, or running a marathon in 3 hours and 15 minutes. After reading "The One Minute Manger", most readers will want to be a One Minute Manager tomorrow.

Simple and Fast
A quick read because the concepts it describes are simple yet powerful. "The One Minute Manager" has evolved into a management classic since its first edition in 1981. Managers will take three precepts from this book: Efficient Goal Setting with employees, Praise, and Reprimands. In other words, make sure your people know precisely what they are to do, and then give them feedback whether they meet those expectations or not. That's it. Simple and effective. It takes an hour to read "The One Minute Manager", consider it an investment.

Here's what I think about it...
The book is not a comprehensive management tool but nonetheless contains good basic concepts all managers should use or at least give a great deal of thought to. A short, easy read that has many nuggets of wisdom, I give it five stars. Other self-help books I liked include "The Multifidus Back Pain Solution."

Just A Minute
The ideas in One Minute Manager are very effective for anyone who feels stretched to the limit by the daily demands of modern business. The advice is both simple and to the point so it means less time analyzing the lesson and more time implementing tips that can improve your overall performance. I highly recommend this book to seasoned managers as well as those who aspire to join the ranks of management.

Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey is another great book for companies to share with employees because it offers entertaining stories and goal oriented advice about improving your workplace and your life.

Best management style out there--Bar None!
This should be in the library of all managers and those aspiring to be leaders. It keeps accountability straight; and promotes initiative and quality in all involved. I find that this method gives each person in my command a sense of worth and it is very respectful of that person's ideas and performance. Better than any other style of management. ... Read more

Book Description

'Leader As Coach' is a straight-forward, practical book that can help you lead your people and your organization to greater success.

The tips and practices in 'Leader As Coach' will enable you to sharpen your coaching skills so that you can attract and retain the talent you need for success, foster growth in others, provide effective feedback, orchestrate learning opportunities, and groom high-potential performers. After all, your people are your most important asset.

Within these pages you’ll find:
--Five high-impact strategies for effective coaching.
--Useful insights on how to deal with resistance and motivate others.
--Hundreds of tips and action steps to make you a better coach. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Professional Coaching
Our company recently hosted a presentation from David Peterson, one of the authors of Leader as Coach. His audience was a small group of HR managers and Training consultants. He provided us with a no nonsense, credible approach to coaching managers and leaders. The title of his presentation was quite true to that title, providing us with a clear vision of the state of the art and insights into the state of the practice.

David and Mary Dee's book, Leader as Coach, is the foundation for one of the clearest and most well-reasoned approaches to Coaching I have seen after a decade in this business. But don't stop with this book. Go on from here to Personnel Decisions International's Development FIRST and Supervisor's Handbook

This book has been my guide for my active research project.
This book has been both inspirational and motivational for me. I love the quotes and have used them when sending memos to people involved in my Masters active research project. The few colorful pictures are beautiful and representative of reaching high for the stars. The texture of the paper used is similar to a magazine's. I almost felt I was reading one, which felt more like leisure reading. The book is short, easy to read, and to the point. I've taken much of the advise while I've engaged as a leader in my project. I've made efforts to become a better listener, give positive feedback, inspire people to take risks, and built a bond of trust. I learned that I have to model the good habits I'd like others to practice. The strategies suggested are a must for people in the business world and adminstrators or leaders in education. The book is practical for anyone who assumes a leadership role and does not know how to begin the process. Thumbs up! ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Make Change Irresistibly Attractive
The leaders of some organizations have no idea how to make successful changes, and are likely to waste a lot of resources on unsuccessful efforts. Professor Kotter has done a solid job of outlining the elements that must be addressed, so now your organization will at last know what they should be working on.

On the other hand, if you have not seen this done successfully before, you may need more detailed examples than this book provides or outside facilitators to help you until you have enough experience to go solo. I suspect this book will not be detailed enough by itself to get you where you want to go.

Here's a hint: The Harvard Business Review article by Professor Kotter covers the same material in a much shorter form. You can save time and money by checking this out first before buying the book.

I personally find that measurements are very helpful to create self-stimulation to change, and this book does not pay enough attention in that direction. If you agree that measurements are a useful way to stimulate change, be sure to read The Balanced Scorecard, as well, which will help you understand how to use appropriate measurements to make more successful changes.

If you want to know what changes to make, this book will also not do it for you. I suggest you read Peter Drucker's Management Challenges for the 21st Century and Peter Senge's Fifth Discipline.

Good luck!

THE Standard for Organizational Change
This book was recommended to me as being the standard for organizational change, and that recommendation was close to the mark. For any project manager who is involved in the mechanism of change, this is one book that should be right at the top their 'short list.'

This may seem like a strong statement, but reading this book can be life changing. Its concepts apply across many other business ideas, and it is particularly useful for implementing project management into an organization.

Lots of resources are wasted on unsuccessful efforts because often the leaders of some organizations don't know how to implement successful changes. The thought process gets tied up in the existing bureaucracy and remains stalled, going nowhere. In Leading Change, Professor Kotter has performed a commendable job of outlining all the elements that must be addressed. He identifies the most frequent mistakes in effecting change, and suggests eight steps to overcoming obstacles.

The author offers some good business essentials, but also adds a solid structure for implementation that can be applied across organizational cultures. Following his recommendations should make it easier for an organization to know what they should be working on and how to progress to the next steps.

There are good books that may be more recent than this, but you would do yourself and your organization a disservice if you passed this book by just based on that. As stated earlier, this book lives up to its reputation of being the standard for organizational change.

One of the Best
I agree with some of the earlier reviews that recommend this book along with "Execution" by Bossidy & Charan, "Strategic Organizational Change" by Beitler, and "Good to Great" by Collins.

This book is a little light on practical tools, but it does offer a good overview for managers who are dealing with change.

Recommended
One of the great books on self help practical leadership that has come out in recent years. You can complete your philosophical knowledge on leadership of character by going on to read the Remick book, "West Point: Jefferson: Character Leadership..." when you finish Kotter's "Leading Change".

How to lead change
Kotter's eight-step formula for leading change provides some practical and valuable strategies, but it does not get to the core of the problem. When an organization hires and retains only those who have made the commitment to do their best regardless of the circumstances, then complacency is never a serious problem and the leader does not need to falsely impose a sense of urgency. I recommend this book, and suggest Optimal Thinking: How to be your best self is read along with it. We are integrating Optimal Thinking into our company (mission statement and culture) and moving away from the old paradigm of managers and employees to the new optimized paradigm of corporate optimizers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Other than the sobering fact that real lives are regularly at stake, running a navy ship is a lot like running a business: leaders of both must get the most out of their crews to operate at peak efficiency and complete the tasks at hand. As commander of the highly acclaimed USS Benfold, Captain D. Michael Abrashoff irrefutably demonstrated how progressive management can succeed at sea; in It's Your Ship, he translates his methods into an approach that can also be applied by land-bound captains of commerce and industry. Describing "the ideas and techniques that I used to win my sailors' trust and, eventually, their enthusiastic commitment to our joint goal of making our ship the best in the fleet," Abrashoff cites embarrassing failures along with subsequent triumphs to illuminate the keys to his accomplished 20-month tenure aboard the guided missile destroyer. His suggestions: lead by example; listen aggressively; communicate purpose and meaning; create a climate of trust; look for results, not salutes; take calculated risks; go beyond standard procedure; build up your people; generate unity; and improve your people's quality of life. While hardly original on the surface, Abrashoff's course should provide practical direction and inspiration for any leader hoping for similarly positive results in similarly rigid organizations. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Inspirational and Practical
I was fortunate enough to hear the author speak once at work. He provides the inspiration and can-do attitude that empowers people that they can make a difference. He is so effective because he has done it. He could have never changed his part of the Navy unless, his employees, unless he led them through the change himself. He led from the front and backed up his employees. He could have never pulled things off without having the courage to make mistakes and learn. He provides excellent examples of managing up and down the organization...something every leader needs. It is also a skill every employee wants to see in their leader. It was refreshing to see Abrashoff apply his daily learnings to his work. Each time a new risk was taken, whether the risk was successful or not, the author applied the learnings for the next opportunity, readying his team to learn from their trials.

This book is easy to read and practical...a leadership guide that all leaders should read. This will be a must read for my team.

It's Your Ship, a floating leadership benchmark.
Whether your organization is on dry land or floating somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, if your performance levels rely on human beings, "It's Your Ship" is a must read.

In business, all too often the human element is overlooked. Human relations is generally reguarded as soft skills, which organizations do not value. However, it is my opinion and apparently Mike Abrashoff's also, that organizations have alot to gain by successfully implementing these so-called soft skills.

The author, Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, teaches what he refers to as grassroots leadership. He uses behavior modification, empowerment, and team building techniques to transform a mediocre performing group into the best damn ship in the navy.

A billion dollar naval warship is not the typical organizational setting. However, the author uses his experience as commander of the U.S.S. Benfold (a nuclear powered naval destroyer) to teach effective management skills to all who lead organizations on dry land.

Abrashoff also teaches the importance of putting the needs of your subordinates before your own. Throughout the book Mike continually challenges the status quo for the good of his group.
The author describes a practical but all too uncommon leadership style that decentralizes authority and empowers people to make their own decisions.

D. Michael Abrashoff is the kind of leader that we all want to have and to be. However, a lack of courage, resistance to change, and status quo keep many of us from attaining Abrashoff's level of leadership greatness.

"It's Your Ship" offers the answers to the valuable managerial question of, how do you motivate employees to achieve high levels of performance.

"It's Your Ship" is a truly inspirational story of how effective leadership can transform any organization into a high powered and high performing team.

It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Shi
I picked this up as I had been part of the Navy and was interested to see what Captain Abrashoff offered in Management philosophy. The reading turned out to be a great pleasure and an informative one. The techniques and processes he used, translate to different industry managements, not just the military. I am a CIO and have provided this book to the Managers of the department. Management techniques are not one time events, but need to be developed as part of the company culture, Captain Abrashoff's offerings are what we are trying to instill in our culture.

Best Damn Book on Leadership Ever Written
As a long-time Air Force Instructor who specializes in teaching leadership courses, I was stunned at the simplicity and wildly effective techniques described in this book. Captain Abrashoff simply followed his heart, and in the process, not only nearly transformed the Navy but created allegiances so herculean that you'd think you were reading Greek mythology. Nothing fancy here--a committed leader, determined to do what makes sense and what makes his people feel most empowered and personally satisfied. His eager crew knocked the socks off every existing comparable ship in the fleet, but that wasn't his best legacy. His greatest gift as a leader was his willingness to learn and to change as needed--and that, as uncomplicated as it sounds, created physical and emotional miracles. More than once, I reached for the tissue box, and more than once, I asked Providence to bless him and anyone else who was determined to lead as he did and does. Easy to read, brief, and magnetically compelling, this is a magnificent primer for every person who leads or who aspires to do so one day. I have read many dozens of books on leadership for my profession, but this one blows every single one of them "out of the water". Read and heed, and your abilities as a great inspiration and guide will multiply exponentially. Extraordinary!

Practical Experience
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff changed the way the Navy does business. He proved that by making the crew the team, his ship could outperform all the others in the entire fleet. While that didn't start as his goal, his leadership insights quickly spread throughout the US Navy based on the Benfold's operational performance. It's also a book about treating the members of the team as important contributors, and well as people. The book is about leadership, from a practical, reproducible point of view. ... Read more

Book Description

Leadership and Self-Deception is the first book to identify a single, underlying cause of every form of leadership failure. Through the story of Tom—a “shluck” in his manager’s words—readers discover that identifying and treating individual leadership problems as if they were separate and distinct is not enough to transform people into successful leaders. The authors suggest that the key to leadership lies not in what we do, but in how we "are." They explore this compelling secret: Self-deception is the central player and trap underlying all leadership failures, relationship issues, and performance problems in organizations. Leaders who live in the box of self-deception are trapped: they cannot lead, no matter how hard they try and no matter how many skills and techniques they employ. With convincing examples, the authors show clearly how self-deception operates and how to o