Who moved my cheese?

We have all heard of this book by Spencer Johnson, it's just been out for that long and used by so many companies to "help" people cope with (and perhaps even learn to enjoy) usually unwanted change.

It describes the lives of four characters in a maze who are looking for cheese, that represents fullness and happiness - which is what we all hope for right? Through the differences in reaction to change, we see that some people are simply constantly prepared for change, and thrive on it. Others don't expect it, get upset by it, and then get over it. And others... well, read the book and find out for yourself. It makes for a quick, simple read but doesn't delve into the depths, content to remain on the surface, some, as I did, may find that somewhat disappointing.

A few excerpts I found meaningful from The Writing On The Wall in the maze :

"If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct" - Theory of evolution, eh?
"What Would You Do, If You Weren't Afraid?" - Use this with care... fear can be useful
"When You Move Beyond Your Fear, You Feel Free." - True, but also dangerous to a certain extent

It is a simple read - but not a great a read, could leave you feeling simply empty and void. Take a peak and let me know what you think if you can find it free somewhere.

Thoughts?

Behind closed doors: secrets of great management

When I was young (about a year ago), I thought "The one minute manager" was a great read. I still believe it does have something to it - it makes for a quick read and is straight to the point.

But now that I am old (about a year later) and that I have read "Behind closed doors: secrets of great management" by Johanna Rothman and Esther Derby, I have just been ... well enlightened so to speak.

This book does take more than one minute to read but feels like it takes only about two, and is full of healthy material whatever your job description may say. From the bottom of the ladder right to the top, it is full of handy tips on how to coach, create team-spirit and take new team members on board. It is about creating leadership and making sure you tell the right people the right things at the right place and in the right way. Sound easy? Not so. Do you tell someone their behaviour is unacceptable even though they are a good worker? Yes. Ok, but when? In a one-on-one meeting. And HOW? Without getting emotionally involved, without pointing fingers ("you have done this...") - after all the person might not even be aware they have made mistakes in the past period, so avoid emotional cues and train people to learn to accept information without over-reacting. And what do you do when you take on a new team, that's just not really a team but a group of people working together or against each other? Behold the wonders team-meetings, prioritization, one-on-ones, coaching, rumour-killing, gelling, and much much more.

This book will definitely not fall off my bookshelf any time soon.

Thoughts?

The one-minute read

When I saw the title of this book, I simply couldn't resist giving it a peak.

I would say it is was worth the 5-10$ it cost and made for a quick, relatively entertaining read.
The book covers three basic principles to manage anything, from your family, to your work, to your life in general:

1. keep a list of understandable self-contained goals (one-minute objectives)
2. remember to praise yourself and others when things go right (one-minute praises)
3. remember to reprimand yourself and others when things go wrong (one-minute reprimands) BUT, never leave it at that: make sure to remind yourself of what actually *did* go right and that "to err is human, to forgive divine" (thanks Maggie Smith :D)

So... this is where I start rambling on about traveling the US, making it to Canada, Scotland, Ireland and many places more... go girl!! :-)

Thoughts?