Crisis & Renewal


Book Description

Crisis & Renewalpresents a radical view of how all successful organizations evolve and renew themselves and of what managers must do to lead the revival. Contrary to traditional organizational theory, which emphasizes rationality and control in the management of change, this book argues that there are times when managers must deliberately create crises by committing acts of "ethical anarchy" in order to break the constraints of success and renew their organizations.Hurst develops a model of change -- the organizational ecocycle -- to explain how even successful organizations become systematically vulnerable to catastrophe. He brings the model to life with stories of crisis and renewal from both his own management and consulting experiences and a cross-section of enterprises -- from the hunter-gatherers of the Kalahari and the Quakers of the Industrial Revolution to contemporary organizations such as 3M and Nike.Born when people come together to capitalize on an opportunity, young organizations are usually dedicated to innovation and learning. As they grow and age, they become preoccupied with performance. Sooner or later they become constrained by their own success. For, in the pursuit of performance, what were once self-selected roles become designated tasks, flexible teams become rigid structures, open networks give way to closed systems, and control supplants commitment as people change. The risk, says Hurst, is that this single-minded, performance orientation may render organizations dangerously insensitive to subtle changes in the environment, seriously damaging their ability to learn.Renewal-changing a performance organization back into a learning organization-demands the restoration of the excitement, emotional commitment, and values often missing from large enterprises. It involves returning to the founding principles of the firm to reconnect the past with the present. In the aftermath of crisis, only shared values can hold a renewing organization together.Crisis & Renewalgives managers the theoretical grounding and the practical tools for leading their organizations to new life. The Management of Innovation and Change Series.




Strategic Change and Transformation


Book Description

Strategic change and transformation are words used very commonly in business parlance but rarely defined. Besides, change and transformations are often used interchangeably. Thus the correct perspective of viewing change and transformations is missing from management literature. How is change different from transformation? Do all changes lead to renewal? What are the characteristics of strategic changes? This re-addresses some of our current assumptions and understanding of change and transformation when viewed through both academic and business lenses. It is a balanced and well-rounded perspective on how strategic change and transformation can be brought about successfully in organizations specifically with the perspective from an emerging economy like India.




Change & Renewal


Book Description

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz ¿ renowned scholar, philosopher and spiritual guide ¿ here reveals the essence of the Jewish calendar. With a unique combination of intellectual brilliance and accessibility, Rabbi Steinsaltz probes the meaning of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, Hanukka, Purim, Pesah and the other Jewish holidays. His insights provide whole new ways of understanding the holidays, appreciating their depth, and experiencing them to their fullest: ¿Our festivals and holidays, remembrance days and special occasions, ensure that the paths of our lives do not remain merely dusty roads lacking meaningful points of distinction¿ These special days are the landmarks, signposts, and lights along the way¿openings through which we may emerge from the stagnancy and rut of life¿s routine. They provide us with opportunities not only to celebrate and mourn, but also to renew and change ourselves¿¿




Renewal


Book Description

From the acclaimed author of Unfinished Business, a story of crisis and change that can help us find renewed honesty and purpose in our personal and political lives Like much of the world, America is deeply divided over identity, equality, and history. Renewal is Anne-Marie Slaughter’s candid and deeply personal account of how her own odyssey opened the door to an important new understanding of how we as individuals, organizations, and nations can move backward and forward at the same time, facing the past and embracing a new future. Weaving together personal stories and reflections with insights from the latest research in the social sciences, Slaughter recounts a difficult time of self‐examination and growth in the wake of a crisis that changed the way she lives, leads, and learns. She connects her experience to our national crisis of identity and values as the country looks into a four-hundred-year-old mirror and tries to confront and accept its full reflection. The promise of the Declaration of Independence has been hollow for so many for so long. That reckoning is the necessary first step toward renewal. The lessons here are not just for America. Slaughter shows how renewal is possible for anyone who is willing to see themselves with new eyes and embrace radical honesty, risk, resilience, interdependence, grace, and vision. Part personal journey, part manifesto, Renewal offers hope tempered by honesty and is essential reading for citizens, leaders, and the change makers of tomorrow.




Unleashing Change


Book Description

"Drawing on the experience of procurement reform in the Reinventing Government initiative of the 1990s, as well as organization theory and psychology, this book presents a comprehensive approach to improving performance in big public sector organizations that addresses both theory and practice"-- Provided by publisher.




School Renewal


Book Description

As a result of today's crisis in education, people are beginning to realize that schools involve far more than providing children with knowledge and skills. Schools are communities and, like all communities, may be healthy or unhealthy. School Renewal addresses the problems and challenges of a school community. Through the use of fairy tales, myths, and the personal experience of Waldorf education, Torin Finser describes how both teachers and parents can come to grips with common problems such as burnout, interpersonal conflicts, and the traps of routine. Most important, the author stresses that an educational community must come to terms with the many unseen dimensions of each individual. He shows how these little-understood aspects of the mind can be cultivated and nourished to keep the school and education alive. School Renewal does not offer formulas and slapdash solutions. Rather, it encourages a whole new way of thinking about education and personal growth - for children and for the adults who care about them. "...if one wish could be granted me on behalf of school renewal, I would ask for significant improvement in the quality of sleep afforded to parents and teachers. No other change has the potential to do more good than simply eliminating the state of chronic exhaustion found by the end of the week in most schools." "Torin Finser understands what it's like to deeply care about the education of our children. His message will be a healing balm for those open to his wise and practical counsel. I want to rush out and buy a copy of this book for every teacher and parent I know." --Eric Utne, founder of Utne Reader "Extremely accessible, down to earth, and full of very important insights. I highly recommend this book." --Dave Alsop, Chairman, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America "Splendid ... not just teachers, but parents, students, and just plain stressed-out citizens would benefit from the wisdom, information, and insight Finser offers." --Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of Magical Child and Evolution's End "Wise guidance for those of us who want to be good stewards of our children and the schools that serve them." -- Parker J. Palmer, author of The Courage to Teach and Let Your Life Speak "An exciting and refreshing book for parents and teachers ... in his clear and concise writing, Torin has shown us how to bring common sense back to our schools." --Jim Grant, Executive Director, Staff Development for Educators "For Finser, school renewal is about self-development ... the suggestions offered here contribute to new ways of thinking about education and personal growth. Highly recommended for school administrators, teachers, community groups, and parents." --Library Journal "Shows that a healthy school community is one that is able to recognize and work with the problems that can mar even the most liberal and creative educational systems: burnout, stress, and interpersonal conflict." --NAPRA Review




Change We Can Believe In


Book Description

At this defining moment in our history, Americans are hungry for change. After years of failed policies and failed politics from Washington, this is our chance to reclaim the American dream. Barack Obama has proven to be a new kind of leader–one who can bring people together, be honest about the challenges we face, and move this nation forward. Change We Can Believe In outlines his vision for America. In these pages you will find bold and specific ideas about how to fix our ailing economy and strengthen the middle class, make health care affordable for all, achieve energy independence, and keep America safe in a dangerous world. Change We Can Believe In asks you not just to believe in Barack Obama’s ability to bring change to Washington, it asks you to believe in yours.




Total Renewal


Book Description

In terms of health, most of us live at 50 percent of our capacity. Total Renewal takes us the rest of the way there. To varying degrees, we all suffer from digestive disorders, low-grade toxicity, or fluctuating blood sugar levels. While not ballooning into full-fledged diseases, these conditions limit our enjoyment of life and prefigure illnesses that loom in our future. Consisting of seven steps, Dr. Frank Lipman's Total Renewal Program is the key to reversing the unhealthy habits and poor functioning that we have slowly developed and accepted over the course of our lives. The program replaces them with new behaviors that leave us stronger, healthier, and more durable. Dr. Lipman's seven steps are: 1.Take Responsibility for Your Health and Well-Being 2.Remove Toxins and Decrease Your Total Load 3.Recognize Your Unique Diet 4.Replenish Nutrients and Balance Hormones 5.Release Tension and Relieve Stress 6.Revitalize with a Detox 7.Reconnect to Yourself, Others, and Nature




Clergy Renewal


Book Description

Planned time away from the parish for study, rest, and spiritual renewal can be beneficial-and often necessary-for any pastor, as well as for the congregation. In this thoroughly revised and expanded edition of Alban’s popular Sabbatical Planning for Clergy and Congregations, Bullock and Bruesehoff provide the definitive guide to putting together refreshing pastoral sabbaticals that can help keep ministry vital and growing for the long term




Changing Course


Book Description

Too often those engaged so deeply in working for social change, for the welfare of others, or just being fully engaged in trying to make things better in small ways, do not take the time to care for themselves. Susan and Albiert Wells set out to find a way to offer these selfless leaders of groups and efforts engaged in bringing about change, a way to just kick back. The answer was a 430-acre ranch in Montana that they named Windcall, and the Resident Program that they created there. It was a place that people could come and find renewed energy and strength, with the opportunity to live each day as they chose to. It formed the basis, as well, of what came to be called reflective leadership,