|
Title: The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management
Purchase
Item
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
List Price: $22.95
Our Price: $11.90
|
|
| Customer Reviews: |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass the abilene paradox and other medidations on management |
| It is an excellent and enlightening book with much food for thought and a precise account of reality in malfunctioning organizations. Also provides suggestions for improving organizations and helping them act in an ethical manner. |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass A classic and a must read |
| With humor and "paradox" Professor Jerry Harvey does a great job in stimulating personal reflections about management. Among the several tales, see Management and the myth of Abraham ("every time a boss makes a stupid mistake, he sends his administrative assistant to try to rectify it"), my favorite Captain Ashok and the Concept of Grace ("Asoh told the truth, and we are starved for it") and Group Tyranny and the Gunsmoke Phenomenon (our behaviour is related to our fear of separation but we have a choice "when confronted with the possibility of group tyranny"). Enjoy your reading and start thinking. |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass Thought Provoking Essays |
These "Meditations" provide great thinking into how to be a more effective manager. As "Meditiations", this is not a how to cookbook on management, or checklist. There are no promises of improved customer service, or increased efficiency. Rather, by reading them, your thinking about management will improve.
Two examples on the meditations:
1 - The Abilene Paradox essay talks about a family vacation to Abilene. Nobody really wants to go there, but everyone thinks everyone else wants to go there, but is affraid to speak up. The lesson is self evident, but the story conveys it in a manner much more memorable than a directive to "Create an organization with open communication"
2 - The writings of Elliott Jaques. Harvey introduces the concept of the "Requisite Organization", an idea developed by Jaques. This highlights the imnportance of understanding complexity (as defined by the time horizon of projects one is capable of thinking of) and designing an organization where that is the key component to success. That's a deep thought in today's quarter-driven business.
Reading and pondering these meditations will make one a better manager and leader. But it isn't spoon feeding, it takes some thought as well. |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass Wonderful advice, coming and going |
| The Abilene Paradox... has been one of my favorite books for many years. Whenever I read it, I find something of value in it for whatever challenges I am facing in my work. Plus, it's just fun to read. The first essay (the actual Abilene Paradox) should be required reading for anyone who wonders why groups do stupid things. And the last essay (on teaching future managers to cheat) should be required reading for anyone who wonders how one simple change could make a huge difference in business education, making it more relevant and more solidly ethically based. Everything in between these two essays is worth, reading, too. |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass All Managers should know about Abilene! |
| The first time I heard about the Abilene Paradox was back in the early 1980's when Jerry Harvey made a video for use by the government in training management. I had run into a recent management situation in which our Director wanted only agreement with her. I immediately began to search a reference on "Abilene" and management. So, immediately, you can see how much this little video lecture influenced me. Over twenty years later, I still remembered the reference that was needed now in 2003, and it was called the road to "ABILENE" or something similar. A quick search on my favorite reference site "Amazon.com" and voila: I found a book called the "Abilene Paradox". Jerry writes likes he speaks but *OH* he speaks in such an amazingly entertaining way. Jerry gives a lot of examples of things that can happen in the workplace that will bring you down a path to disaster. He is amazingly accurate in pointing out the potholes to avoid. Although, he is a bit shy on things you should do, I highly recommend this book. If all you get out this is that "Yes" men or "Yes" folks are not conducive to good business, then you have learned one gem of management that you will value forever. |
| The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management by Jossey-Bass Product Description |
Faulty decision-making can have dire consequences, and when it comes to group decisions, the challenges are even greater. Join Dr. Jerry B. Harvey as he clearly illustrates why no organization wants to find themselves goin' to Abilene.
See how group dynamics can keep individuals from stating their true beliefs for fear of isolation and separation, and how that often leads to mismanaged agreement.
You'll learn to recognize the warning signs of risky group dynamics and improve decision-making processes throughout your organization. |
