Work is fast replacing religion in providing meaning in people's lives. Work has become how we define ourselves, it is now answering the traditional religious questions: Who am I? How do I find meaning and purpose? Work is no longer just about economics; it's about identity. - Benjamin Hunnicutt, historian and professor at the University of … Continue Reading ››
Category Archives: Happy At Work
How to be happy at work
Book review: Gung ho!
This book, subtitled "Turn on the People in Any Organization", is a really quick read, but it contains some pretty good ideas nevertheless.
The whole book is a a story of an iron plant in America, that's in deep trouble. Profits are down, and the employees are hostile towards the new CEO that's just … Continue Reading ››
My project
Book review: The customer comes second
The title of this book is a deliberate provocation. After endless messages about putting the customer first, Hal Rosenbluth, CEO of Rosenbluth International, says you should "put your people first and watch'em kick butt". (Rosenbluth International is a world leader in corporate travel management, with over 5.000 people in more than 50 countries).
The … Continue Reading ››
Exercise: Talking stick
Talking stick is an excellent way to promote better and deeper dialogue. If you need to slow down the pace of a discussion, to make room for more reflection and listening, consider trying it. It's really simple. Basically, you find a stick (or some other object), and whoever holds the stick can speak, everybody else … Continue Reading ››
Book review: Nuts!
Nuts!, Southwest Airlines crazy recipe for business and personal success is the story of Southwest Airlines. Lars Pind told me about this book, and I have to agree: It's a joy to read about a company that values freedom, creativity, people and, yes, love.
If your driving principles are love and fun, can you … Continue Reading ››
Quote
Rational structures of control inhibit creativity. Managing as if people had souls requires that we de-mechanize management and instill it with the diversity and depth of our own humanity. The point is to respect people and allow them to make the fullest contribution they can. We need more reflection in business not more strategizing. Meditation … Continue Reading ››
Book review: Getting to yes
This is the classic book about negotiating, from way back in 1980. I like the book, because it stresses a positive mode of negotation. A mode that is based on honesty, integrity, fairness and mutual understanding.
The basic view is, that in a negotiation, the two extreme positions are hard and soft. Hard negotiators are … Continue Reading ››
An honest company
Imagine a company that practices total, uncompromising honesty in their advertising. If they have a great product they'll say so. And if they're trying to sell you something mediocre, they'll tell you that too. They might actively warn you along the lines of "Don't expect good service from these people" or "The product here is … Continue Reading ››
Book review: The dance of change
Whew!
I've finally finished Peter Senge's trilogy on learning organizations. After The fifth discipline and The fifth discipline fieldbook, comes The dance of change: The Challenges of Sustaining Momentum in a Learning Organisation.
The first book lays the theoretical foundation, and introduces the five disciplines which Peter Senge believes are the key to creating … Continue Reading ››