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 overcome it. While other books cover people skills, this one goes deeper, fully illuminating the secret to leadership success.
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"It is engaging and fresh, easy to read, and packed with insight. I couldn't recommend it more highly." -- —Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
About the Author
The Arbinger Institute is a scholarly consortium and management training and consulting firm comprised of scholars, business leaders, and professionals who write about the implications of self-deception for organizational, community, and family life.
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First Sentence
It was two months ago to the day that I first entered the secluded campus-style headquarters of Zagrum Company to interview for a senior management position. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
It was two months ago to the day that I first entered the secluded campus-style headquarters of Zagrum Company to interview for a senior management position. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By C. E. Baker
Format:Paperback
I first read this book several years ago but the ideas in it have stayed with me and increased in relevance over time. I read it mainly in the hope of finding ways to 'help' other people improve and so was very resistant to the idea that I might be contributing to the problems they were causing me. However, the simplicity, elegance and depth of the concepts rang so true and were so useful to me, in all areas of my life, that I have come back to it time and time again. At the heart of Arbinger work is the concept that we are continually making a choice in our `way of being' - to be responsive and to see others as people, whose needs and desires are just as important as our own, or to be resistant and to see others as objects, whose needs and desires are not as important as out own. Connected to this is the idea of self deception, which you could describe as the assumption that I am not a problem. When I am self-deceived (which, let's face it, is most of the time!) I am creating my own problems, but I am unable to see this, and I resist any attempt to solve these problems even though I say that is what I want. Liberation lies in the continuing efforts to 'get out of the box' and see people and situations without distortion and this book provides many illustrations and tools to help you do this.
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Arbinger Institute's view on how we create (organisational) problems for ourselves and then how we "fix" them, is simple yet profound.
I've read hundreds of management , leadership and personal development books ... This one adopts the number one position - Overnight!
Whether you are struglling to influence your team or organisation to willingly embrace change; or find yourself as a parent with a "difficult" child, then this is for you.
They suggest that we suffer from 3 problems!
1 We create our own problems 2 We are blind to these problems 3 We resist wanting to fix these problems..
The book is a story (therefore any easy read!) of a new guy 6 months into his new company, attending his first review with the boss. He believes that he has done really well since he joined and is anticipating bouquets...
However, his boss (the enlightened one!) has a different view. What unfolds is a home truths session that could be you or I... dealing with the essence of why we create the problems we do with people.
Not until the final pages does the author reveal the solution.
Having read Covey, Senge, Peters etc. I found this a refreshing view of our eternal challenge with people.
Buy it and give your friends a copy!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. J. Jones
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I think the major sticking point for me on this book was the 1st person narrative style. The book describes the induction process of a new executive within a highly successful (but fictional) business that places staff relationships above all else. There is nothing else - no research findings, no references, no additional sources. Maybe it's my cynicism but for a UK reader working in a state run institution I found this really annoying. It reminded me very much of the way management guru's do Socratic questioning; careful to include a little bit of hardship, personal disclosure and transformation but ultimate salvation (and the book is available in the foyer)!
Anyway, back to the text. If you can get over this then the book does provide a useful description of how intent precedes action, and doing things for the right reason is often the crucial difference in personal change. I also liked the implicit message of individual responsibility; too much of my own work place conflicts remain unresolved through self-justifications that are premised on the other person having the problem. Such issues are the primary thread throughout and it's hard to take issue with a book that promotes seeing colleagues as people rather than objects. I think David Bohm's book (On Dialogue) provides a better description but this book covers the main points.
In summary then, the writing style won't appeal to everyone but if your looking for a management book to pass the time this could be for you.
Anyway, back to the text. If you can get over this then the book does provide a useful description of how intent precedes action, and doing things for the right reason is often the crucial difference in personal change. I also liked the implicit message of individual responsibility; too much of my own work place conflicts remain unresolved through self-justifications that are premised on the other person having the problem. Such issues are the primary thread throughout and it's hard to take issue with a book that promotes seeing colleagues as people rather than objects. I think David Bohm's book (On Dialogue) provides a better description but this book covers the main points.
In summary then, the writing style won't appeal to everyone but if your looking for a management book to pass the time this could be for you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cheesy but Good
I was recommended this book by a friend and it immediately appealed because it was small, easy to read, and in a narrative style. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Simon Dodds
3.0 out of 5 stars
Self deception at its best
I came across this book on a reading list for what turned out to be a really flaky business management course. Read more
Published 8 months ago by msc1306
5.0 out of 5 stars
Want a better life? Read this
Have read this book 3 times now and always find value in it. Despite all the corporate courses I have done, this is the only works that i have been introduced to that provides a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Charliegirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE IT
For those who haven't read this book yet, I would definitely recommend it to all!! Whether you are a leader, a manager or a busy mum - managing her home and children, this is a... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Shay
1.0 out of 5 stars
Corporate psycho-babble?
I am aware that at least one multi-national encourages or forces (perhaps at first three months review) the hapless employee - doubtless the same hapless empolyee who just a little... Read more
Published 17 months ago by opus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leadership and self deception- getting out of the box
Everyone should read this book. If a person has empathy then they will understand its message and it would help create a better society. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. H. L. Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes you think about your actions
To be honest i am about 3/4 through the book and so far am really enjoying the read.
Unlike most instructional management books this is set out as a part story in the... Read more
Unlike most instructional management books this is set out as a part story in the... Read more
Published 23 months ago by zombie hunter
3.0 out of 5 stars
The message is right but could be summarised nicely in 5 pages -...
As with other books of this 'management self help' genre, there is a nugget of gold included but it unfortunately comes wrapped in tons of substandard pulp style writing. Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by AK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lives up to expected standards
Having read all the other adrian mole books this has no surprises. good humour amusing easy to read.
Published on 21 Dec 2009 by A. R. Hill
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pathetic
I cant believe I wasted my time reading such a book. In simple terms, the message is this, dont be quick to judge and be understanding to what the other person might be in. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by M. Rehman
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