Customer Reviews

The Anxious Organization: Why Smart Companies Do Dumb Things

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The examples in this book are so true to life that I instantly recognized characters and conflicts in every chapter. Once I started reading (and it's extremely readable), I began to notice "anxious dynamics" everywhere, just as the author describes them -- in meetings, in office relationships, even in myself. And I've already seen more than once how his suggestions for breaking the anxiety chain can turn an ugly situation around. I recommend this book for everyone who works and especially for those in the ever-so-anxious business of advertising.

This book was recommended by a colleague, CEO of a manufacturing company, with whom I do some exponential thinking from time to time. I can see why he enjoyed reading this straightforward look at internal corporate politics. Miller builds a new model for understanding what is sometimes a very perplexing problem - decoding why people respond the way they do in a given situation.

What I found interesting in Miller's model is that he requires us to "look at ourselves" as part of the stress delivery system in the organization. "If a situation is making you anxious, then there's a question in there somewhere that is yours alone to answer." Miller explains how we all set up triangles to get our way or to spread out the anxiousness so that we don't have so much to handle ourselves. "Learning to manage your own behavior in triangles is probably the single most important thing you can learn about handling workplace politics." So I found this model for understanding why smart companies do smart things to be useful.

What makes the book very readable is the use of stories to illustrate the points being made. The stories are familiar to anyone who has worked in or around large organizations. The layout of the book is also helpful in that each chapter ends with a summary of the major points made. Miller's book is a worthwhile quick read.

What's an organization ? Your family,the Little League team, the PTA, your condo board, the doctors office, even the beauty parlor. All present anxieties.
This informative and well constructed book offers insight to dealing with little recognized but provoking anxieties, applicable in everyday life. A valuable addition to your library that will be insightful and useful.

This book is fabulous. Extremely readable, well thought-out, good advice. A must read for those in the work force!