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Summary: Wonderful advice, coming and going
Review: 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.
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Summary: Keys to the organizational kingdom
Review: The book provides a thoughtful and engaging perspective on organizational life. Its easy to read and painless to learn. This book provides important practical lessons.
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Summary: All Managers should know about Abilene!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: All Managers should know about Abilene!
Review: 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.
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Summary: Thought Provoking Essays
Review: 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.
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Summary: Useful Advice, but have You Read Management by Vice?
Review: This book is chock full of useful advice on organizational behavior at both the personal and business levels. The clear, fun style of addressing business/management ethics was a useful and enjoyable read in our courses. As far as recommending other similar 5-star reading materials, there is only one other book,which I enjoyed so much. In fact, I would say it is a must-read for anyone interested in organizational behavior. The recently published book is entitled, "MANAGEMENT BY VICE" (by C.B. Don). It is a hilarious satire, but each wit-filled episode addresses a multitude of "vices" at the core of counterproductive corporate cultures and established high-tech organizations. It was fun to see how many we could find as part of our MBA course! Just like Dr. Harvey, the author of "Management by Vice" is a Ph.D. specialist with lots of experience, but the candid insights come from interactions between technical ranks with their management staff within the closed high-tech R&D world. To get the most complete understanding of organizational behavior at all levels we read both the "Abilene Paradox" followed up with "Management by Vice"! Great MBA lessons all around!
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Summary: Probably the best book available on organizational ethics
Review: When I first read The Abilene Paradox, I hadn't read many business/management books--I preferred fiction. In my job, I've since read dozens of business titles and I have to say few compare in content or writing style to Dr. Harvey's classic. None have the sense of humor, the appreciation of the absurd, that Harvey has. And none have the soul, compassion, and wisdom of Harvey. I hope Dr. Harvey publishes again soon.
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