Product Description

A cutting-edge guide to leadership that shows how traditional values do have a place in management. "Captures the essence of caring management in a story that is direct and understandable to any level of management."--Peter H. Coors, President, Coors Brewing Company.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129105 in Books
• Published on: 1993-07-10
• Released on: 1993-07-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From Kirkus Reviews
If the four SNAGs (sensitive New Age guys) responsible for this pretentious bosh had not included a closing pitch for their Atlanta-based consultancy, many readers might conclude they were lampooning the caring/sharing subgenre of management guides. In deadly earnest fashion, unfortunately, Bracey and his three colleagues offer sanctimonious precepts through a set-piece narrative that logs a year in the fictive life of a senior corporate executive unblushingly christened Harry Hartwell. Hard- driving Harry (known to subordinates as the ``abominable no man'') runs a domestic oil refinery in notably autocratic fashion for Ramoco, a multinational energy enterprise. During a near-death experience following (surprise!) a heart attack, however, Harry converses with a disembodied voice who answers to the name of Selena, giving himself a second chance at life--if he can change his ways. With the patience of a saint, the muselike creature tutors her recalcitrant pupil in the fine art of (yes, folks) managing from the heart. By the numbers, the hitherto impatient patient's do-or-die recovery regimen consists mainly of abiding by five responsive principles (whose initial letters spell out heart). The words Harry chooses to live by are: ``Hear and Understand Me. Even if you disagree, please don't make me wrong. Acknowledge the greatness within me. Remember to look for my loving intentions. Tell me the truth with compassion.'' At the happy ending of this saccharine parable, Harry has become a prince of a fellow--an inspiration to employees; a kinder, gentler family member; and a man of respect to his peers as well as superiors. Awesomely smug claptrap whose teachings amount to little more than trendy restatements of the golden rule. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review
"Five powerful principles so simple they are arresting. Their application by every manager can catapult a company to new heights of greatness." -- Don M. Schrello, Chairman, Schrello Direct Marketing, Inc. -- Review

Review
"Five powerful principles so simple they are arresting. Their application by every manager can catapult a company to new heights of greatness." -- Don M. Schrello, Chairman, Schrello Direct Marketing, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Simple book w/ excellent management & communication principles
I've used this book for years to help new managers (and some not so new) learn some basic communication skills in order to improve their management skills. It is an easy read--it reads like a novel rather than a technical or self-help book. The principles it teaches are simple, yet profound. 1)Hear & understand me. 2)Even if you disagree, please don't make me wrong. 3)Acknowledge the greatness within me. 4)Recognize my good intentions. 5)Tell me the truth with compassion. These are principles that can help with communication in every aspect of life.

A so-so message delivered in a gooey-sweet wrapper
The basic principles this book tries to teach are, although obvious, certainly well-meaning, harmless, and probably practical enough if applied sensibly.

However, the gooey-sweet fluffy medium used to deliver the message makes it very hard to take seriously. In a corporate fairy-tale approach, the protagonist, a big, bad "abominable no-man" manager, suffers a near-death experience and is subsequently guided by an angel through his transformation into a manager with heart.

Please. If this is intended for real corporate managers and executives, why tell bad fairy stories? It makes the overall message much less appealing and far less likely to be taken seriously!

I gave it two stars, instead of one or none, because the underlying concepts do have *some* merit. However, this one really isn't worth your time or money.

Managing from the heart
All four writers from the Atlanta Consulting Group got into our hearts, minds and souls. Literarilly they looked for every given personality they came accross and provided counselling through the lovely voice of Selena. Don't we all who read this book multiple times need to do a toast for Hyler, Jack, Aubrey and Roy lives? They literally changed folks like me who felt chances in life ran out. I read the book as recommended literature from a business consulting group in Puerto Rico called InBusiness. Their slogan says, What motivates you? They are awsome.