5 comments about Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide for Leaders, Managers, and Facilitators.

1. Thanks much - I needed the books for work and had them quicker than expected.
   Nancy



2. Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team is an essential guide for managers and team leaders of all levels. It contains practical exercises and models for addressing each dysfunction as well as additional resources for further education. No team leader should be without it!



3. "Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide for Leaders, Managers and Facilitators" represents an interesting idea...that of offering tools and techniques to implement the Model set forth in another one of Patrick Lencioni's books, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable.
   
   In essence, this book offers a guide to implementing the Model noted above without the need to engage the consulting services of Lencioni and his firm. This is a novel, and generous, idea to facilitate the implementation of this Model at a low relative cost (compared to engaging a consulting firm, for example).
   
   The book presents some tangible and easy-to-follow ideas focused on implementing the "Five Dysfunctions" Model. That being said, the actual implementation requires personalization based on a number of factors, including the dynamics of the team working on the Model.
   
   While such personalization may be expected, given that a "one size fits all" solution is unlikely to meet the needs of all teams, this is a useful book, especially if you find the "Five Dysfunctions" Model of use.



4. Delivered on the promissed time frame.
   I recomend and will use this service again.



5. Mandatory book for a class that failed to deliver academic quality work. While a nice enough read for airport commuters between flights, this book is rather simplistic and lacks that real impact. In short, this book talks about five dysfunctions, which are pretty well commonly understood by most managers/leaders. If it is a mandatory read or free, go for it, but there are plenty of other books out there that can provide better insight into team management like The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner.

5 comments about It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy.

1. It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
   Excellent Read! One of the easiest books that I have read in a while. Although this was mostly his experiences, it has great insight to the qualities of a great leader. I couldn't put the book down!



2. As a ten year Navy veteran, I was riveted to this book for it's common sense approach to leadership. There are many books available today about management but damn few that focus on great leadership. That's where this book's niche is. It's a quick and very interesting read. As I was going through the book I kept thinking "why don't more leaders act this way"? The answer, unfortunately, is that to be a great leader you must set your course and then get out of your own troops way.
   
   I loved the book and highly recommend it to anyone who wants a quick course in leadership.



3. It's an entertaining read, but I found the practical use a little lacking. He gives a few good examples and he knows how to tell a good story. The book doesn't go very deep into the decision making or anything that might be ambigous or where there might be a trade off involved. It will make you feel good to read it but if you had to summarized what you really learned and internalized you will not come away with that much.



4. My husband loves this book and the others by the same author. He bought a copy for everyone in management on his staff.



5. As a Naval Officer, I'm aware of the challenges presented by working within a system that is as rigid and traditional as the Navy, or any military institution for that matter. What CDR Abrashoff has done is provide an outstanding roadmap for working within that system, or any organization with similar characteristics. Where he has succeeded, is by showing how to truly motivate and take care of his personnel, so that they are free to contribute in their own right. He has shown us how to work the system, with the ultimate goal of restoring ownership, (yes, empowerment), to those who breathe life into the organization. This book, along with his other books: "It's Our Ship" and "Get Your Ship Together" are recommended reading by the Chief of Naval Operations, and should be on the reading list of anyone who wants to know what servant leadership and striving for excellence is all about. In my doctoral program, I have focused on good leadership as the key to success in any endeavor. The military teaches leadership skills at all levels, from the new recruit to the highest Admiral or General, yet only those who put these principles into practice, as Abrashoff describes, become great leaders. The bite-size readability of this book and clear, concise examples only enhance the practicality and usefulness of this text. If you want to know how great military leaders think, read this series!

5 comments about The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life.

1. The Art of Possibility by Stone and Zander was a slow read for me, not because of how it was written, but because I had to keep stopping to think about what it said. The text throughout was light, but the subjects were very deep. How many defenses did you create in childhood that you still use now? How do you feel about what you are doing right now! How do those feelings link up with the defensive walls of your childhood? Do you still need those defensive walls. In what state are your personal defenses now you are a grown up? These are some of the questions I had to stop and ask myself and what should have been an afternoon read took several days. To get the most out of this book you have to be brave enough to rip into yourself and take a good look at what's going on.
   Some of what I read, I had already learned from life. Rule number 6 with all its glorious profanity pops into my head daily, but there were other things and ways of looking at them that I had not consciously examined. The authors explore the what ifs of life and make suggestions that radically change the game. No one wins every game so don't take sides, be the game board! Now your not winner or loser, you're where it's all happening.
   This book is unique in its layout, with Roz and Ben each writing independently of various experiences and then joining together in one voice to move on to the next topic. I don't think the work would have been as effective without this combination of Maestro and Shrink. The blending of music and emotions creates a wondrous porthole that is possibility itself and can take you to amazing places.



2. I ordered this book recently because I wanted to give a copy to some folks, specifically in a church context, that I thought would appreciate the leadership approach presented by the Zanders. I am enthusiastic about what the book has to say since hearing Ben in a lecture presentation a few years ago. What stuck with me was the excitement of his method of engaging his audience. I heard as the primary message that a good leader focuses on encouraging the best from his staff. In his case, of course, the staff would be the members of his orchestra.
   
   As a college professor I know how hard it is to yield control and focus instead on the individual interests and contributions of one's students. As a psychologist, I know there's nothing really new in this concept. But that's the point. No matter how often organizational psychologists try to make it clear, leaders still want to rule with hierarchical dictates from above. Ros and Ben do much to make it clear that focusing on the art of possibility evokes from everyone the very best they can give to the project/task, whatever the task may be.
   
   So, in a way, there's nothing new in what they have to say. And the truth is, I didn't get excited enough to attach any of my sticky arrows until I reached page 68. Recognizing that "the profession of conductor is one of the last bastions of totalitarianism in the civilized world," Ben goes on to say "I had been conducting for nearly twenty years when it suddenly dawned on me that the conductor of an orchestra does not make a sound." That led him to ask (page 69) "What makes a group lively and engaged.?"
   
   I think he got, at that point, that it's not about how well I'm appreciated. It's how well others are appreciated. "Rule Number 6" presented in Chapter 6, says it clearly, though not terribly delicately. "Don't take yourself so g--- damn seriously."
   
   From page 68 on, I was thoroughly engaged, with the points and the examples. I will lend the book to the folks I believe will enjoy it and profit from its lessons.



3. This book came to me from my employer with a suggestion that it might do what the subtitle suggests. I found it full of feel-good ideas of limited applicability to real-world living, combined with the kind of smug superiority that only comes with the unself-conscious noblesse oblige of those who are born to expect that they really are better than the rest of us.
   
   Now, truth be told, after seeing Mr. Zander speak in person (at an event hosted by my employer, again!), he was a very dynamic and captivating speaker, about whom no one could speak or think bad thoughts.
   
   And today, 18 months after the speaking event, it is also fair to say that the net impact on my life (professional, personal, or protean) has been pretty much zero. Perhaps I've left my share of the possibilities in the book for the rest of you to use.



4. I read a lot. I average 2-4 non-fiction books a month. Zander's book - The Art of Possibility - is in my top ten list. I read it one or two times every year. It doesn't get old.
   
   I was very fortunate to be part of a conference a few years ago where Dr. Zander spoke for two hours. It was the single-most powerful presentation I've ever seen. He takes that same energy and passion and weaves it into this book.
   
   The basic concepts or themes behind each chapter are simple, poignant and memorable.
   
   The principles in this book have helped me get "unstuck" many times when I had to approach a problem or challenge in a fresh way.
   
   You must read this book!



5. The book could definitely be categorized in the "self-help book" field, but it is more creative and the examples are excellent. If you decide to get this book, and do not know who the authors are, make sure you check out a video on Youtube. Ben Zander follows the rules of the book and you can see it in his energetic, child-like attitude. Some of the rules may not seem as relevant as others, but your sure to find something you can improve on. This book is great for leadership programs and really helps you to learn your strengths and weaknesses.

5 comments about Go Put Your Strengths to Work: 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance.

1. This book can help you put a plan into place that you can follow to be successful. If you have trouble motivating or keeping on track, this book will help you do that. Marcus helps you discover what your strengths are so that you can focus on your strengths which in turn will help you be successful.



2. Focus on playing to your strengths instead of focusing on improving your weaknesses. Doing so will help you be a more all around satisfied and productive person. Buckingham's "strengths revolution" could revolutionize the way people think about themselves and production in the workplace. Imagine sitting with your supervisor as he or she reviews your strengths and blazes the trail for you to improve those strengths--as opposed to confronting your weaknesses, which Buckingham says you'll never really master anyway.
   
   Good book, could be a brief, one hour read.



3. Marcus Buckingham brought to light strengths in my life that were buried. Since reading, Go Put Your Strengths to Work, I have used my strengths and am living a richer life.
   CK - Author of, Dean Ransom, Restored.



4. Really useful. For everybody that works with Competences, a great skill. Absolutely recommended.
   
   I work with SME's and executives, and It functions.



5. `Go Put Your Strengths to Work' gives us six clear steps for increasing our personal productivity. Author, Marcus Buckingham, draws our attention to several myths, for example that as we age we improve in the areas we have always been weakest. In fact such a myth only perpetuates a tendency to focus on what we are not good at. Instead we should be shifting our time management to focus upon the areas where we work best
   
   Naturally, Buckingham's core piece of advice is that we will not be able to build our strengths if all we can see is what we are not good at. Once we truly clarifying our strengths we are better set to enter a workplace and soar. Not only that, but knowing exactly what you are good at and how to articulate it in a job interview is a fantastic advantage to have.
   
   [...]

5 comments about Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time.

1. All you ever need to know about networking, the value of it, some strategies and practical tools to strengthen your networking skills.



2. I'm in Brazil and the book came just right! no problems buying from another country.



3. What makes Never Eat Alone different from other business books that focus on the art of networking is that Never Eat Alone includes tips and advice that are unique. I've read more than my fair share of business books, and I can say with all confidence that this one is worth the purchase. The author brings in a good deal of personal narrative and real-world examples that illustrate just how easy it is to meet people and connect. "Connect" is the operative word here, because so many other books look at meeting people as a means of getting ahead. This book goes so far as to suggest that we actually try to get to know and build relationships with others. Now if that isn't unique for a business book, I don't what is.



4. This innovative guide contains many step-by-step techniques for growing a large network and building deep relationships (attending conferences, using pings, mastering organizational techniques, etc.) that aren't covered by any other books in the field. It is unique in its blend of strategy, technique, and technology that integrates with our modern world and lifestyle. His 3-tier ping method was a big breakthrough for me.
   
   Forbes and Inc. magazines both call Keith Ferrazzi one of the world's most "connected" individuals. Keith "is one of the rare individuals who discovered the essential formula for making his way to the top -- a powerful and balanced combination of marketing acumen and networking savvy."



5. I have to agree with the other reviews that indicate that the author does nothing except name drop throughout the entire book. Who cares how many superficial "relationships" that the author thinks he has cultivated? Not surprised he was so interested in getting to Hollywood. Absolutely, the worst business networking book I've ever read. In any case, I've learned to read the reviews posted before I make my purchases.

5 comments about Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box.

1. A great read. If your organization is a learning organization and is interested in finding a book that is a page turner for those who do not normally read then this is a book for you. The authors found a way to present the concepts of the next generation of leadership in an easy to understand easy to follow dialoge. The next generation of leadership in my opinion is idea that empathy and social understand are crucial to being a leader. This book will help give an organization a common vocabulary to discuss issues.



2. If you're looking for something a little different in a book on leadership, then look no further than LEADERSHIP AND SELF-DECEPTION by The Arbinger Institute. This is different from other leadership books in that it reads in the form of a story (not a parable) about a man who has just landed a job with a company he has long coveted. He is about to learn exactly why the company, Zagram, has achieved such greatness.
   
   Follow the journey of Tom Callum as he is introduced to the principles that have set Zagrum Company apart from the competition. You'll be introduced to the principles of self-deception, self-betrayal, and being in or out of "the box". The critical point the reader will learn here is that we all spend a great deal of time in the box and when we are in the box, we are not operating anywhere near where we should. Furthermore, being in the box effects not only our work, but all inter-personal relationships and interactions in life.
   
   Not to worry, though. The authors won't leave you hanging. Tom later learns, as his training continues, how to step out of the box. Although he also learns that what he has learned, and what this story covers, is only the first phase of a three part plan. It is a little disappointing to not be introduced to the second and third parts of the Arbinger Institutes plan, but don't let that stop you from reading this book.
   
   In fact, you probably won't just read this book and be done with it. I plan to re-read this immediately. It is simply too much to fully comprehend in one reading, at least it was for me. The story is entertaining. The lessons are well presented and logical. What you take away will be invaluable. I see many ways of implementing what I have learned here, not just in business situations, but in marriage coaching as well. These are principles that will affect all aspects of life and business.



3. This book is exceptional in regard to understanding the inner workings of our perceptions and the effect our personal character influences what we see and hear. Highly recommended.
   
   Coach Charles Powell



4. This book was such an easy read and very motivating. It will cause anybody to self-reflect and want to make changes in their lives. Anyone who reads this book will not be disappointed.



5. After reading this book, I had to read it again. I was reading it for a training and I explained to my Trainer that this book is a "good ouch". If you want to change your way of being in relationships, if you want transformation in your company, applying the principles from this book will definately bring a transformation. I recommend this book to everyone from student, husband, wife and executive. Cheri

5 comments about A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition.

1. The book is otherwise fabulous, but you should steer clear of the Kindle version. The Kindle handles charts poorly, and this book has a lot of them. Some are manageable, but many others contain small text that is so blurry that it might as well be written in Arabic. Quite honestly, it is not entirely clear to me how Amazon gets away with selling this item. The Kindle is great, but Amazon absolutely should not sell books that cannot actually be read on it.



2. This book helps to understand how the shares market works and its history.
   
   I think it may interest all people who wants to improve his knowleadge in
   
   investing.



3. Would have give it 5 stars,except for the fact that they did not return my e-mail, when I had a question



4. As a novice to finance, I found this book both educational and entertaining. Highly recommended!



5. Very good book, the author takes you behind the scene of Wall Street and history of the market. He goes over the basics of our economy and the different avenues of investing. This is a must read for anyone who want to start investing but is confused on where to start. I would have given this book 5 stars if he had written down a step by step process to investing. I recommend this book 1st and then read Jim Cramer's Mad Money, he gives the step by step procedures I was looking for in his book.

5 comments about The Richest Man in Babylon.

1. How do you place a price on brilliance? This short read is outstanding and I would recommend it to anyone including every junior or senior high school student in the United States. More books like this one and all of the Og Mandino books or any of the Napolean Hill books. And, let's not forget W. Clement Stone books.
   The Richest Man in Babylon



2. It's interesting, entertaining and good historical read. And very motivational. For that price you get a great time, good mood and motivational power. A worth to buy & re-read also. I can just add one more 5 star. You must have this book just because it's a eternal law of money nature



3. I read The Richest Man in Babylonseveral years ago while on vacation but when I got home I couldn't remember the name of the book. I have been searching for the book on & off since then.
   
   I just bought 4 copies on line a few days ago and will be giving them (3 of them) out for Christmas. I can hardly wait for them to arrive.
   
   Every time I speak to someone about finances I bring up this book. Now I will be able to give them the name. It helped me get out of debt except for my house.
   
   I highly recommend this book, especiall for Jr high/High School kids. It will give them a look to finances that schools don't teach. It is not a "Religous" book but gives a parable look at finances. (Do you remember Aesops Fables when you were young? They taught us alot.)



4. Clason's timeless classic is not just about how to acquire money, keep money, and make money earn more money. Rather, it is also about how to achieve personal wealth, happiness, and even meaning in this world. The use of parables and stories make this a great book for children as well.
   
   Although many books contain the same messages, the way Clason delivers these timeless strategies cannot be duplicated by anyone else.



5. Great for beginners, starters, students, people looking to learn about money. It's a must. This booked is unchanged and does allow those looking and keeping money. A great lesson in life.

1 comments about 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business.

1. If there's one word to describe the content of this book, it would be substance. I picked this book up last week after listening to Magic's radio interview with Steve Harvey. Normally, I would actively listen to book discussions and if interested, add to my list for later. However, during the discussion on the radio, Steve highlighted some of the points covered in the book such as forming business partnerships, following your entrepeneurial passion, franchising and of course financing. This book was told through Magic's experience from beginning to end. It covers finding your dream, to building your business, exiting your business and my favorite, social responsibility. I enjoyed the level of detail in his experiences. You don't normally get this from a well-known athlete/celebrity or even from other business books who's intent is to educate OR tell a story. Magic's book educates through real examples. He takes you through the journey of getting in that board room and pitching your business plan which lead to a "no" at first. Many entrepenuers can relate to that! There's cautionary advice, a host of options for you to consider as a entrepeneur. Magic did not learn everything in one day and he gladly gives credit to those who have taught him along the way. I believe because of his mission, he taught a lot of pessimistic opportunists a lot. Earvin does speak a little about how his past NBA-career may have helped or hurt during his entrepeneurial journey. It's worth the read for inspiration and direction. This book is a comprehensive look at what it takes to lead a community while pursuing entrepenuership. Ironically, given all of Magic's business dealings, I don't think I've ever read of anyone maintaining an evolving door of entrepeneurship. His mission is steady and his investments are diverse. Truly an honest read. I walked away with a full discussion with my family and a sense of additional research I needed to do as a budding entrepeneur. Again, this book has substance.

5 comments about The Toyota Way.

1. Great for those that are on the go and would like to learn a little more about TPS and lean manufacturing.



2. The Toyota Way certainly does provide the foundation of using operational excellence as a strategic weapon. With increased competition, companies are continuously challenged to achieve operational excellence in a better way than its competitors, and use this as their strategic weapon or at least ensure that they are meeting/exceeding industry standard in this area. This book contributed many ideas to my MBA dissertation, in creating a profit for an insurance company that had been making continuous losses for a number of years. The continuous process flow mentioned in the book was adopted and resulted in significant cost savings, by eliminating certain processes and improving the quality control.
   
   This book has also influenced me to purchase a Toyota Fortuner, moving from the Honda brand that I had driven for years.
   
   Judith Kean, FCCA



3. This is an excellent book to uncover the beautiful simplicity of the Toyota Production System. Although simple is always best, with complicated cars, machines and huge sums of parts, it sometimes is lost in the jungle of the manufacturing floor. This is where a company's leadership is key to the success of the lean manufacturing endeavor. Obviously, the Toyoda family had a long line of brilliant individuals that have not only kept the principles alive, but continued to drive the company to record growth and profits. This book is very good for showing the way, but there is a lot more detail requred to actually implement the system. As an introduction to the system and the philosophies, this book is excellent. If you are looking to implement lean manufacturing, you will need more than one book to accomplish the task, and you will need leadership within your organization that is willing to change and embrace a new way. Most company efforts will collapse due to managment not having the stamina it takes to fully change their plant floor, their material flow and their processes. With the Toyota Production System, you are never "done" but you continue to look for improvement forever.



4. 
   I read this book when it was first published in 2004 and recently re-read it, curious to know how well Jeffrey Liker's explanation of Toyota's management principles and lean production values have held up. My conclusion? Very well.
   
   No good purpose would be served by merely listing the 14 management principles, out of context. Liker devotes a separate chapter to each, carefully explaining not only what it is but also how it guides and informs everyone at all levels and in all areas of the Toyota organization. What Liker also accomplishes, and what cannot be adequately summarized in a review such as this, is to explain how all 12 principles are interdependent. Together, they serve as the company's DNA. In the Preface, he recalls asking Fujio Cho (President of Toyota Motor Company) what was unique about his company's remarkable success. His answer was quite simple: "The key to the Toyota Way and what makes Toyota stand out is not any of the individual elements...But what is important is having all the elements together as a system. It must be practiced every day in a very consistent manner." To understand Toyota's success, therefore, it is important to understand that lean production is not a methodology, it is literally a way of life.
   
   The 14 principles are divided into four sections:
   
   Having a long-term philosophy that drives a long-term approach to building a learning organization
   
   Absolute faith that the right process will produce the right results
   
   Adding value to the organization by developing its people and partners
   
   Continuously solving root problems to drive organizational learning
   
   As Liker points out, it is important to understand that the Toyota Production System is not the Toyota Way. TPS is the most systematic and highly developed example of what the principles of the Toyota Way can accomplish. The Toyota Way consists of the foundational principles of the Toyota culture, which allows the TPS to function so effectively.
   
   How does lean improvement differ from traditional process improvement? "Briefly, wheras the traditional approach to process improvement focuses on local efficiencies, in a lean improvement initiatuve, most of the progress comes from a large number of non-value steps being squeezed out. For example, overproduction, delays, and wasted motion. In fact, the ultimate goal of lean manufacturing is to apply the ideal of one-piece flow to all business operations, from product design to launch, order taking, physical production, and shipment."Some of the differences are subtle but no less significant.
   
   To repeat, anyone can read this book and then uncerstand what the Toyota Way is. Possessing a gourmet chef's recipe, however, does not ensure that a gourmet meal will be prepared. Toyota has its own way. Other companies must develop theirs based on their own "roots." In other words, lead from their traditional strengths but not be limited by them. In fact, companies may need to re-invent themselves, not once but several times. That is what Toyota did...and continues to do. Use operational excellence as a strategic weapon and the rewards and results will far outweigh the great effort required.
   
   That said, Liker does provide 13 "general tips." The first is to begin with action in the technical system and then follow quickly with cultural change. Other suggestions include learning by doing first and training second, using value stream mapping to develop future state visions to help "learn to see," and being opportunistic in identifying opportunities for big financial impacts. They are provided with brief but precise explanations on Pages 302-307.
   
   It remains for each person who reads this book to determine which of the 14 management principles are most relevant to her or his own enterprise, and then to determine how to translate each into effective action. Presumably Liker agrees with me that most companies have 3-5 areas in which "lean" initiatives are urgently needed. Developing an execution plan can be tricky, however, because all business transaction involve a process of some kind and improvement of one process inevitably has a direct impact on several others. Here's one possibility, suggested to me by a COO to whom I gave a copy of this book: Read the final chapter, Chapter 22, first. It's title is "Build Your Own Lean Learning Enterprise, Borrowing from the Toyota Way." He thinks that will provide an appropriate framework within which to proceed from Gary Convis' Foreword and Liker's Preface to the conclusion of Chapter 21. That suggestion is worth consideration.
   
   Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Liker's Toyota Culture: The Heart and Soul of the Toyota Way as well as Matthew Mays' The Elegant Solution: Toyota's Formula for Mastering Innovation, David Magee's How Toyota Became Toyota: Leadership Lessons from the World's Greatest Car company, and What Is Lean Six Sigma? co-authored by Michael L. George, David Rowlands, and Bill Kastle.



5. Book seller presented accurate information regarding the condition and quality of the book. Book receipt time was excellent and well within the timeframe given to the purchaser. Thanks for the great service.