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Tom Peters This may be the best book on leadership I've ever read.
Product Description
Facile formulas, catchy slogans, ten-step programs, and quick fixes too often dominate today's management training programs. But in organizations as in all of life, human behavior is seldom predictable, and business dilemmas do not easily lend themselves to gimmicks or simplistic answers. In "Management of the Absurd, " psychologist, educator, and former CEO Richard Farson presents a series of management paradoxes designed to challenge conventional wisdom and encourage managers to reexamine their assumptions about effective leadership.
Here, at last, is a dramatically new understanding of organizations and human relations. In his explorations of more than 30 paradoxical situations, Farson demonstrates the value of a radically different perspective on leadership and offers managers powerful new ways to cope with the many perplexing problems of organizational life. Managers at every level will recognize the very real dilemmas and complexities that Farson describes, and will be challenged by these provocative new views of the art of managing people.
Here are some of Farson's startling insights:
The better things are, the worse they feel.
Once you find a management technique that works, give it up.
Big changes are easier to make than small ones.
The more we communicate, the less we communicate.
Nothing is as invisible as the obvious.
Effective managers are not in control.
Organizations that need help most will benefit least from that help.
Many readers will share Michael Crichton's response to this book, as he observes in the foreword, "He irritated me. He provoked me. He made me nod, he made me smile, and he made me shake myhead....[He] reports more than experience; he gives us wisdom." Guided by "Management of the Absurd, " managers of the 21st century will be able to accept the inherent complexity of management situations and work through these dilemmas, not with manipulative and simplistic techniques but with understanding, compassion, and effectiveness.
Here, at last, is a dramatically new understanding of organizations and human relations. In his explorations of more than 30 paradoxical situations, Farson demonstrates the value of a radically different perspective on leadership and offers managers powerful new ways to cope with the many perplexing problems of organizational life. Managers at every level will recognize the very real dilemmas and complexities that Farson describes, and will be challenged by these provocative new views of the art of managing people.
Here are some of Farson's startling insights:
The better things are, the worse they feel.
Once you find a management technique that works, give it up.
Big changes are easier to make than small ones.
The more we communicate, the less we communicate.
Nothing is as invisible as the obvious.
Effective managers are not in control.
Organizations that need help most will benefit least from that help.
Many readers will share Michael Crichton's response to this book, as he observes in the foreword, "He irritated me. He provoked me. He made me nod, he made me smile, and he made me shake myhead....[He] reports more than experience; he gives us wisdom." Guided by "Management of the Absurd, " managers of the 21st century will be able to accept the inherent complexity of management situations and work through these dilemmas, not with manipulative and simplistic techniques but with understanding, compassion, and effectiveness.
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OUR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS in science, law, government, and in every intellectual pursuit are dependent upon our development as rational, logical thinkers. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
OUR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS in science, law, government, and in every intellectual pursuit are dependent upon our development as rational, logical thinkers. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading books that talk about 10 effective ways to leadership and 5 different ways to managing, this book was an eyeopener. It is business wisdom in action and I read this book at least 25 times and each and every time, its originality in managament thoughts stunned me. a must read for anyone interested in the philosophy side of management.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Management of the Absurd by Richard Farson is a very easy to read book. It offers a fresh way of looking at management styles and management training. Farson beleives that the management techniques taught in most management schools are erroneous and that good managers can not rely on the so called tricks of the trade to be successful. The problem with Farson's book is that it is strictly for entertainment and although it may start one thinking about his or her management style it really can not be applied in the real business world. Farson uses anecdotes to explain and substantiate most of his points. The problem with the use of anecdotes instead of scientific facts is that usually the same anecdote can be used to disprove a theory, and that is the case in this book. Also, Farson fails to take into the account the employee view on his ideas. For instance, he claims that praise should not be used to motivate others. He fails to outline the ramifications on an employee that has come to expect praise as a motivator because he or she has experienced it since birth. Farson does have some interesting points in the book. He states that it is more important for the manager to like the employee than for the employee to like the manager. He also devotes a useful chapter to gut feelings and the importance of the use of intuition by successful managers. The book definitely gave me some things to think about, I just don't know if I can actually use any of it.
Format:Paperback
This is a must have reference book for anyone wanting to improve his or her ability to be an effective leader. A reference book because one cannot read it once and remember the many management and leadership paradoxes it sheds light on.
Additionally, it is a book which compels you to attempt to read it in one setting yet requires a second and third reading in order to really understand the differences between how we normally try to manage and lead versus some of the 180 degree different approaches offered by Mr Farson.
Additionally, it is a book which compels you to attempt to read it in one setting yet requires a second and third reading in order to really understand the differences between how we normally try to manage and lead versus some of the 180 degree different approaches offered by Mr Farson.
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