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Summary: This Belongs on the "Must Read" Section of the Mgt Bookshelf
Review: A friend of mine recommended that I read this book to better learn about organizational behavior. This was not only a quick, funny read, it was filled with some real "takeaways." I've since shared this book with others in our organization, and we have added phrases like "we're having an Abilene moment" and "ribbet!" to our vocabularies!!
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Summary: Before there was Dilbert, there was the Abilene Paradox
Review: Before Dilbert broke ground focusing attention on the (mis)adventures of people in corporate management and the workplace, Jerry Harvey had used his own brand of southern humor to point out the absolute absurdity of life in the boardroom, the bedroom, and a few places in beteen. The Abilene Paradox is a relatively short and often humerous book, but it is not always easy to read. The book is filled with powerful lessons; many told from the author's unique and highly personal perspective. Jerry Harvey's dry wit bites harder than Dogbert ever could. If you have the courage to draw a line in the sand and stop the proverbial bus from taking a trip no one wants to take, then read the book. If you don't, then read the comics.
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Summary: Useful Advice, but have You Read Management by Vice?
Review: Brilliant, wise, humane and funny, Harvey's classic book on organizational behavior is entertaining and thought provoking. Many of his explanations about corporate behavior struck a chord with me--I read this one with a pen in hand, jotting down notes about specific experiences that I have had in phrog farms. If you are unhappy at work, maybe it is not your fault--maybe you are stuck in a degrading and unhealthy work environment. Harvey expects a great deal from leaders in business, politics, and even education, and is not reticent to criticize them for abusing their position of authority. He characterizes contemporary corporate culture as being a virtual conspiracy, assisted by a higher-education system that teaches students not to cooperate, but to actively resist working together. A radical idea that deserves some consideration. This is almost--but not quite--a spiritual book, and the author even claims the attributes of a preacher. It is a secular take on the theme Edward Welch discusses in "When People are Big and God is Small." The fear of other people has tremendous negative consequences--both personally and organizationally. Like Welch, Harvey's highlights the benefit of overcoming that fear and provides practical advice on how to do it. Anyone manager with a conscience should read Harvey, just to ensure that they are not perpetuating an unethical system.
Rating:
Summary: Every manager with a conscience should read this book
Review: Brilliant, wise, humane and funny, Harvey's classic book on organizational behavior is entertaining and thought provoking. Many of his explanations about corporate behavior struck a chord with me--I read this one with a pen in hand, jotting down notes about specific experiences that I have had in phrog farms. If you are unhappy at work, maybe it is not your fault--maybe you are stuck in a degrading and unhealthy work environment. Harvey expects a great deal from leaders in business, politics, and even education, and is not reticent to criticize them for abusing their position of authority. He characterizes contemporary corporate culture as being a virtual conspiracy, assisted by a higher-education system that teaches students not to cooperate, but to actively resist working together. A radical idea that deserves some consideration. This is almost--but not quite--a spiritual book, and the author even claims the attributes of a preacher. It is a secular take on the theme Edward Welch discusses in "When People are Big and God is Small." The fear of other people has tremendous negative consequences--both personally and organizationally. Like Welch, Harvey's highlights the benefit of overcoming that fear and provides practical advice on how to do it. Anyone manager with a conscience should read Harvey, just to ensure that they are not perpetuating an unethical system.
Rating: 
Summary: Down Home Texas Humour and Wit for Business 101
Review: Business jargon now adopts the euphemism 'abilene paradox' to describe the likeliness of everyone following a familiar and likely path, or 'going with the flow' to appease each other, even though EVRYTHING ELSE is pointing against it. Written for the common folk, author Jerry B. Harvey uses everyday language and everyday experience to test and prove his hypotheses. He even writes his own 'Gunsmoke' episode and uses the standard 'western-style' scene as a backdrop for a sociological study into existentialism and risk. Harvey writes with wit and insight. This volume will become invaluable for both management and employee alike in understanding themselves and each other.
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Summary: good book
Review: Good stories that will make you think. We've used the stories with clients and it's been useful. The video for abeline paradox is good too.
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: Good stories that will make you think. We've used the stories with clients and it's been useful. The video for abeline paradox is good too.
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Summary: A "Must Read" for the Information Technology Professional
Review: In this age of silicon and snake oil, Dr Harvey's insights are right on the mark. Committees and boards frantically and often irrationally fund high-risk technology projects that, in years past, would be considered suspect if not insane. Amazingly, organizations can't wait to get on that road. Perhaps the Information Highway has an offramp to Abilene!
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Summary: A new perspective on business behaviour
Review: MBAs are taught to view business as a world of profit/loss, accounting, and cost control. Occasionally one might hear about humanity in a course, but it's always a secondary consideration. Dr. Harvey makes the case that business is about heart and soul human beings, and discusses ethics and decisions based on that view. Other insights are included as well.
Rating:
Summary: A new perspective on business behaviour
Review: MBAs are taught to view business as a world of profit/loss, accounting, and cost control. Occasionally one might hear about humanity in a course, but it's always a secondary consideration. Dr. Harvey makes the case that business is about heart and soul human beings, and discusses ethics and decisions based on that view. Other insights are included as well.
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