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. 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 beautifuland representative of reaching high for the stars. The texture of the paperused is similar to a magazine's. I almost felt I was reading one, whichfelt more like leisure reading. The book is short, easy to read, and to thepoint. I've taken much of the advise while I've engaged as a leader in myproject.I've made efforts to become a better listener, give positivefeedback, inspire people to take risks, and built a bond of trust. Ilearned 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 andadminstrators or leaders in education. The book is practical for anyonewho assumes a leadership role and does not know how to begin the process.Thumbs up! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Leadership    2. Business & Economics / Management    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Employees    6. Entrepreneurship    7. Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Leadership    9. Mentoring in business    10. Organizational learning    11. Training of    12. Business & Economics    13. Coaching    14. Management    15. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (1)

A Wealth of Information
This book is FULL of incredible information for those wanting an introduction to OB or a more in-depth look.While it is a bit weighty (and, like most text books, expensive!) I'm extremely pleased with the breadth and depth of information it covers in OB in the context of business, global organization, and best-practices. A GREAT text for OB classes! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Human Resources & Personnel Management    5. Organizational Behavior    6. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Organizational theory & behaviour   

Reviews (7)

great original book on coaching - still work a read!
This book was outstanding when it first came out - and it has truly stood the test of time. Sir John provides a welcome breath of reach air from the often all too frequent US-based and over-hyped coaching genre. Along with Thomas Lenard, Sir John Whitmore is one of the real pioneers of life coaching and workplace coaching. A great book.

The "Grandfather" of Coaching Books - and Still One of the Best!
This book, now in its third edition, is the grandfather of coaching books and approaches. Much of what has come to be known as professional business coaching came from Timothy Gallway and Whitmore's sports training techniques. As such, the book provides a simple foundation for coaching based on the context of awareness and responsibility through asking questions and listening. He presents the G R O W model of coaching - Goal, Reality, Option, Will - as a format for coaching sessions.
Difficult leap from tennis to business
I used this book for a class on coaching and developing employees.There were eleven people in the class that read the book and each was very disappointed. The overall conclusion was that the author should stick to sports, as the attempt to link the priciples to business was too far of a stretch. We will not be using this book again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Employee motivation    4. Employees    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Organizational learning    8. Personal Finance    9. Personal Finance - General    10. Teams in the workplace    11. Training of    12. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    13. Personnel & human resources management   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (18)

A new way of thinking
I read this as a library book and had to buy a copy for future reference. It's holistic, optimistic and energising. It draws our attention to parts of reality that our western culture tends to ignore. I hope it will bring this new (yet ancient and traditional) way of thinking into the mainstream, especially among business leaders etc.

A passionate plea, but (institutionally) naive ...
"Presence" emerged from the fear that our world is going to hell in a handbasket. If we are not careful, its authors tell us, we are headed for a "requiem scenario" that spells doom over our planetary society. We all in affluent industrialised societies have a responsibility to stop this slide towards a final armageddon, to renew ourselves and our institutions, particularly those engaged in making money. "Presence" proposes a 7-step plan to help us doing just that. It starts with a downward movement along a U-diagram, leading us (as individuals) away from our trusted mental maps towards a higher sense of purpose. The bottom of the U-diagram is a state of "presence" (hence the book's title) from which we can perceive our highest future possibility as a particular human being. This awareness leads us up on the other side of the U, into a co-creative field of building new partnerships and institutions.
Deep work happening in some organizations
Although I agree with some of the previous reviewers that much of the material in this book could be found in more depth elsewhere, yet I still enjoyed the book. What I found interesting was the process the authors went through in trying to clarify the core ideas in the context of their work with organizations and organizational leaders.It is important that these ideas, whether original or not, permeate some of our core cultural organizations.It is these organizations which have such a large impact on the world today and it is the actions of these organizations (and our contribution to the social matrix which makes such actions possible) which critically influence our well being. It is heartening to see that the viewpoints expressed in this book may have a chance of taking hold in such organizations and seem to have already begun to germinate among some of the leaders of these organizations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Negotiating    6. Organization Theory    7. Organizational change    8. Organizational learning    9. Social Change    10. Thought and thinking    11. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (5)

Managers:Pay attention before it's too late!
Those of us who work in knowledge management know what DeLong says is right on the money.Unfortunately, too few are paying attention.If there is any story that captures the problem better than his about nuclear weaponeers, I hate to think what it could be.Throughout the country--and I'm sure the industrialized world--the rapidly approaching departure of our most knowledgeable knowledge workers is, frankly, scary.DeLong describes the situation well and does so with an appreciation of the subtleties.And he does so succinctly, enough so I ask my clients to read the book with some hope they will acutally do so.

Protecting the Eroding Treasure of Knowledge
The generation of workers that is moving into retirement now-the Traditionalists, followed by the huge (76.4 million) Baby Boomer cohort-has experienced an unprecedented era of change and growth. Workers in this period have typically stayed with one employer for many years, accumulating experience, continuity, and a wealth of knowledge that is principally captured within the individual. Now, as these workers retire, they're taking that invaluable knowledge with them; it's not being captured effectively to be used by successors. This loss is potentially a tremendous risk and cost for employers and for society.
Lost Knowledge--A must read
Lost Knowledge-a review Read more

Subjects:  1. Aged    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Employment    6. Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Knowledge management    8. Older people    9. Organizational learning    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    12. Business | Management | Human Resources    13. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (3)

A road map fortalent development ...
From strategic visioning through measuring success, this practical workbook provides tools, guidelines and even a dozen templates in the enclosed CD. Mr. Wheeler shares best practices, from years of experience and research. With the lead from product advances shrinking, human talent will become a major competitive differentiator. I highly recommend for anyone challenged to support your organization's success through talent development.

A must have workbook.
If you are involved in setting up or work for a corporate university, run, don't walk to your nearest book seller and purchase this workbook. Long overdue, The Corporate University Workbook, written in plan, easy to understand English, walks the reader through eleven chapters packed with business oriented explanations, strategies, checklists, exercises, case studies and rationales for designing, building and maintaining a world class corporate university. Destined to become a classic in the field, The Corporate University Workbook should be required reading and within arms reach of anyone responsible for establishing or fine tuning their organization's corporate university.
A Must Read if You Want to Build a Corporate University
Kevin Wheeler makes it clear early on in his book that successful corporate universities must go beyond traditional training. Learning goes far beyond training, incorporating a wide range of informal learning processes and activities. This differentiates this book from much of what has been written in the past about corporate universities--focusing on mostly course-oriented training. Wheeler takes the reality of broad-based learning in organizations into account and provides a very detailed and practical guide for building a successful and flexbible corporate university. The book contains lots of templates and practical lists with questions and issues that must be addressed by someone building a corporate university. Each chapter begins with a review of an unsuccessful and a successful example of corporate universities, making it clear that success is by no means guaranteed. But the probability of success will no doubt be much higher for those who do their homework and not only read this book but complete the numerous exercises that Wheeler has carefully prepared to assist those ready to build a corporate university meant to transform an organization into a 21st century learning organization. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Employees    5. Employer-supported education    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Organizational learning    9. Training of    10. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    11. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (3)

Pocket Wisdom
Simple, yet powerful.A fun way to learn and very effective for group discussion.

An excellent resource!
I really enjoyed this book! The author's clever sense of humor and the great illustrations make a difficult subject--mental models--fun and easy to learn about. I think the book would help any company, family, or evencouple get better at exploring why they think the way they do, and how tocommunicate better with colleagues and loved ones. The discussion guide atthe end of the book makes it easy to start using the ideas in yourday-to-day life.

Should be required reading if responsible for company growth
David Hutchens brings new insight and twists to an age old metaphor.This book begins with a humorous tale whose analogy, to the world in which we live and the mental models which we hold, will hit you between the eyes.The writer quickly points out problems every organization battles with toimprove performance and grow.While the business culture has become sooverwhelmed with change, many leaders have embraced their current state ofaffairs.Holding tight to what we have, we spend much of our energy tryingnot to lose market share.This book gives insight into why and when thishappens and how to move from there. "In a world of chaoticinformation, the mind instantly locks onto that which it already knows--andsimply filters out other data."(from Shadows of the Neanderthal) I'mglad I bought it. Thom Hazelip,Arthur Andersen LLP ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Business Communication    3. Business & Economics / Management    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business Communication - General    6. Business communication    7. Business/Economics    8. Creative ability in business    9. Leadership    10. Organizational learning    11. Management    12. Models    13. Organizational change    14. System theory   

Editorial Review

Since its release in 1990, Peter M. Senge's bestsellingRead more

Reviews (17)

A Little Exhausted
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A good resource- should be used in conjunction with The Fifth Discipline
This book is written as a resource book usable in conjunction with co-author Peter Senge's book, the Fifth Discipline.This book explores the challenges to sustaining momentum in a learning organization.
Ponderous
While I enjoyed this work and read it from cover to cover, it did begin to seem like too much of good thing.Some of the organization information seemed dated and some of the people who are offering advice are probably no longer held with such high regard in their former organizations.In any case, I would recommed it to anyone who is doing graduate or post-graduate work in organization and management or just wants some insight into how organizations really work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Management - General    6. Organizational change    7. Organizational learning    8. Structural Adjustment    9. Business & Economics / Management   

Reviews (15)

Definitely not a masterpiece
Learning to Fly is fairly useful as a general overview of knowledge management principles, but it is far from great.
The Best Yet
Very down-to-earth, applicable guidelines for building a learning environment within an organization. Focuses on tools and techniques and difficult issues of embedding habits of sharing/learning. Don't hesitate...
...trust me and the other reviewers. you will have to wait for a long time to come across another book equally informative, full of sound practical advice, and entertaining. proceed to check-out now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Knowledge management    5. Management - General    6. Organizational learning    7. Business & Economics / Management    8. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (4)

For non-readers
Do you really think cliches are the "secrets of success?"This is a book to give to someone whom you know won't actually read it.

A Bit Short
This book reminds me of the best seller "Who Moved My Cheese". They are both written in oversized font and are about 100 pages long and both cover simple messages.
29 secrets is better than nothing
Jack Welch is a fabulously successful manager, but most small entrepreneurs are not.They are just getting by on a day to day basis with little planning and are subject to bankrupcy with every crisis.They don't have an MBA, and they don't have time to study the principles that would give them more time.This book is a quick, easy read, it re-aligns their thinking, and gets them on track to success.You can't give your struggling business acquaintances a better gift.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Ethics    4. Business/Economics    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Leadership    7. Management - General    8. Organizational change    9. Organizational learning    10. Business & Economics / Leadership    11. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (3)

A tough read that is well worth the effort
If you wonder why smart people with education and experience keep making the same old mistakes you will want to read this book. Let me hasten to add, however, that reading Argyris is often arduous. He is a scholar and writes like one. Having said that, he does have the answers and it is worth the effort to slog through his prose and get them.
*ESSENTIAL* for Managers & those considering 360 feedback
Chris Argyris' work is essential reading for the executive who truly wants to leverage his/her organization's culture and workforce capability into the ultimate long-term competitive advantage. A classic in the field of organizational learning
Chris Argyris presents a classic in organizational learning. Some of the concepts explored and researched here form the basis for some of the priciples of the Learning Organization. Argyris discussion of theories-in-use, social virtues and skilled incompetence is a fascinating and eye-opening exercise.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Management - General    7. Organization Theory    8. Organizational behavior    9. Organizational change    10. Structural Adjustment    11. Business & Economics / Business Communication    12. Organizational theory & behaviour   

Reviews (9)

Documented and thoughtful
This book made me discover knowledge management. It is very well documented, very thougthful, easy to read... An excellent starting point.

Knowledge Enabling not KM !!
I had a pleasant surprise when a friend of mine decided to gift me "Enabling Knowledge Creation" by Georg Von Krogh, Kazuo Ichijo and Ikujiro Nonaka. It forms a sequel to "the Knowledge Creating Company" co-authored by Nonaka and Takeuchi published in 1995 . The first book was a seminal work which has profoundly influenced my views on Knowledge Creation (Nonaka refuses to entertain the concept of KM , resolutely denying that Knowledge Highly Recommended!
Dust off those liberal arts degrees before opening this challenging treatise on knowledge management, written by a trio of academics who call themselves "constructionists," quote Sartre and speak passionately of "post-modernism." Their work explains how to gain initiative and constructive input from workers by modifying traditional command structures - a grounded approach that is much more realistic than the revolutionary conversions called for by other experts. Managers who balk at the thought of granting autonomy or increased access to their employees may well be converted away from their hierarchical dogma here. We at getAbstract particularly recommend the lively knowledge-creation case histories and the wonderful section explaining how companies can create valid, imaginative futures. (What if IBM had imagined a world in which software was more important than mainframes?) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Communication in management    5. Creative ability in business    6. Information Management    7. Knowledge management    8. Management - General    9. Motivational    10. Organization Theory    11. Organizational learning    12. Business & Economics / Knowledge Capital    13. Business | Management | Technology Management    14. Management decision making   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Human Resources & Personnel Management    5. Organizational learning    6. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (37)

It's not luck
Great book! My first intention was not to buy this book. It was suggested to me. It ended up being very good. I'm glad that Amazon suggested it to me.
Limited Usefulness
The Goal has some usefull stuff, the TOC and DBR.The Thinking Process is useless!

It's not The Goal...
... but it's alright!
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Leadership    6. Management - General    7. Motivational    8. Corporate Finance    9. Industrial Efficiency    10. Inventory Control    11. Management    12. Manufacturing    13. Organizational Behavior    14. Marketing    15. Organizational effectiveness    16. Organizational learning    17. Problem solving   

Reviews (56)

5 star concepts in a 3 star novel
Eli Goldratt is one of the most respected experts in the field of Project Management. His work on the Theory of Constraints provides project managers with some very useful tools for keeping projects focused, on budget, and on target. I have definitely benefitted from Goldratt's insights into these topics.
A must for every potential project manager
I've been introduced to CCPM (critical chain project management) years ago in school, but thought it was boring. Reading Goldratt's novel opened my mind to it in a much deeper way, and I'm now using it at my work with great success. I also recommend his other business novels.

if you manage projects for a living...
Face it, everything that happens in a business is either a process or a project.Even companies that manage projects for a living (e.g. construction, software development) often are lousy at managing internal projects (working ON the business). If you have anything to do with projects, you need to read this book.It will change how you look at projects forever.This guy is brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Management - General    5. Modern fiction    6. Project management    7. Corporate Finance    8. Industrial Efficiency    9. Inventory Control    10. Industrial project management    11. Management    12. Manufacturing    13. Organizational Behavior    14. Organizational Effectiveness    15. Organizational Learning    16. Planning & Forecasting    17. Problem Solving    18. Project management    19. Theory of constraints (Managem   

Reviews (3)

Thoughtful and very wise...but is it helpful?
Peter Vaill, now associated with Antioch University, wrote "Learning as a Way of Being" while on the business faculty at George Washington University.This book is essentially an analysis of what exactly it means to be a "life-long learner" in the modern world.
A new paradigm
We used this book in a life-long learning class which was part of our MAed program.The whole class (8) was struck with the first half.He's tough on conventional learning, but leads us back to the childhood interest inlearning which is not self-conscious, but just grows out of being a child. A book that is thought-provoking and provides a framework for change.

excellent insights about the new ages in front of us
The author presented a very well developed imagination about what types of world and society is coming to us and what tasks we should prepare for. The seven traits of LWB(learning as a way of being) were excellently contrastedwith the present paradigms of education which we must overcome. I wish theauthor or else could go further into the possible and more concretepictcures of educational system in comparison with the present public andstate educational system, represented by the schools. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Entrepreneurship    3. Executives    4. General    5. Leadership    6. Management    7. Management - General    8. Organizational learning    9. Reference    10. Study and teaching    11. Training of    12. Business & Economics / General    13. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Computers - General Information    5. Economics - General    6. General    7. Information Economics    8. Information Management    9. Knowledge management    10. Management    11. Management - General    12. Management Information Systems    13. Computers / Management Information Systems    14. Databases & data structures    15. Intellectual Capital    16. Knowledge Systems    17. Management of specific areas    18. Organizational Learning    19. Organizational theory & behaviour   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Cognitive learning    5. General    6. Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Organizational learning    8. Business & Economics / General    9. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (3)

Great Book
This book presents the elements of systems thinking in a clear and simple way.

Systems Thinking Made Understandable
Haines gives an excellent explanation of systems dynamics. This book makes systems theory understandable, practical, and easy to apply. Haines provides models, tools, and explanations that help the reader put systemstheory to use in personal and organizational development.

Shows how a systems approach can simplify all change
Simplifies and clarifies a new, universal approach to all organizational change--systems thinking--that I was able to put into action immediately and virtually eliminate crisis management.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Critical thinking    5. Management    6. Management - General    7. Organizational change    8. Organizational learning    9. Systems analysis   

Reviews (3)

Games for Brain Dead Instructional Designers
You've reached that impass when you just can't think of another game or experiential activity -- that's when you need to dig out those really great training activity books like Games that Teach, by Steve Sugar.If you can't find something to use in his book, or something to modify, he'll certainly get your creative juices going again so you can come up with something on your own!

A superb tarining tool
Games that Teach is a wonderful book for designing interactive training sessions. The games are easily adaptable almost to any subject and situation. It's a simple book to use and implement but with great results in terms of teaching the key points in a content and entertainment in the classroom.
A wonderful teaching tool!
This book is a refreshing way to look at teaching. The creative games that fill the pages bring fun to learning. This book not only gives the reader wonderful games to use with his/her pupils, but step by step instructionson how to make these games effective. The games presented are broad enoughto be used in almost any educational setting with any topic the facilitatoris presenting. Most of the games are done within cooperative groups orteams, allowing for more group interaction and all around fun. This book isa must have for any teacher, workshop facilitator, or seminar presenter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Education    3. Educational Games    4. Employees    5. Entrepreneurship    6. General    7. Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Management games    9. Organizational learning    10. Training    11. Training of    12. Business & Economics / Training    13. Personnel & human resources management