Complex Ideas For A Competent You
This isn't a book on management and leadership. But as we see a rise in demand for authenticity in leaders and managers, this is a wonderful book to start with. Authenticity is a journey, not a destination - and this book is definitely worth being on your bookshelf and revisited occasionally.
“With a controlling personality [Edwina] was unsuited to a recent promotion, which put her in a leadership position. While new to the role and learning the ropes she made many mistakes. Those around her experienced her as manipulative and bullying and began to react defensively. In turn, Edwina herself experienced their reactions as offensive and… Continue reading Concluding “Authentic”: Heal The Space Around You
In February 2019 my father was diagnosed with leukemia. Back then my parents lived in Israel and when I visited them in March, thanks to the exceptional Israeli oncology treatment, my Dad looked like he was going to be well in just a few months. I was quite lost at the time. My job seemed… Continue reading Introducing “Authentic”: What will you regret in the end of your life?
Taking a sharp turn from the philosophical conclusion of "Management of the Absurd" , here is a short and sweet review / summary of the book’s key ideas.
Have you ever experienced an act of leadership that you would compare to a sunset or beautiful symphony? Towards the end of his "Management of the Absurd", Richard Farson approaches the topic of leadership in an unexpectedly poetic way: “Management and leadership are high arts. When they are working well, they compare favorably to the other great aesthetic moments of our lives, to symphonies and sunsets”. I long thought of a good example and I think I got one (captured in this article). Do you?
To all my fellow Business Operations folks reading this, do you remember that one time when your boss told you “This isn’t working, we must drastically change our approach” only to hear out your detailed plan a week later and claim that the organization was not ready for it? They say they want it but… Continue reading “Management Of The Absurd” Deep Dive: Why Is Change So Hard… For Those Who Initiate It?
No, there isn’t. Well… Not in the long run at least. Let’s take a closer look.
I first read Management of the Absurd: Paradoxes in leadership about a decade ago, way before I familiarized myself with the American corporate culture and became a manager myself. I knew it left an imprint on me but only when revisiting it last year, I realized how many of its ideas affected my approach to… Continue reading Introducing “Management Of The Absurd” by Richard Farson
Knowledge In Action 