Customer Reviews

The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future

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Holman and Devane have created an amazing resource for anyone interested in helping to shape the future of our organizations and communities. 18 proven group methods each have their own chapter written by originators and/or foremost practitioners.

The editors have done an excellent job of sheparding each chapter so that the story is alive, honoring the uniqueness and history. And, also, consistent information is presented, allowing comparison among the methods. The comparative matrix is a powerful tool for picking methods appropraite to a particular context.

Reading each chapter is like having a conversation with an expert; it is a quick and most effective way of understanding the method. Then, to dig deeper, the book provides a comprehenhsive list of resources for each method.

There is a synergy between the methods that makes this book more powerful than 18 separate books (and very much more accessible). And Holman's and Devane's editing and opening and closing chapters weave all into a beautiful tapestry. If you care about creating the future, this book provides help.

This handbook of change is a must-have for any executive, simply as a primer in the language spoken by consultants. Read this book and become instantly familiar with the latest, most successful, and even the trendiest theories of change management. The editors have evaluated 18 leading change methods, as applied and tested by some of the largest corporations in the United States. They group the change methods by functional categories, making it easier for readers to go directly to the method that applies to their particular problem. Another bonus: The leading practitioners in the field write the change method chapters, bringing a unique depth of perspective. The editors also have written several excellent chapters on the nature of change. An extraordinary comparative matrix - worth the price of the book by itself - is included in the "Afterword." We [...] recommend this book to executives, managers, change agents, human resources professionals and students.

When you want to change a company and you do this top-down, using a cascade system in which higher levels of your organisation change the lower levels, you are in for a long change process. For instance, specialists will tell you it can take 7 years before you really change a company's culture. No wonder people like Art Kleiner (co-author of "The Dance of Change") will warn you that up to 70% of your change efforts will fail. The solution comes from taking a more systemic approach, involving as much people of the organisation at once as possible. These kinds of large scale interventions often do wonders if the management is willing to work in a more participative manner. Some methods are more directed to specific change goals, whether it is to set a new direction for your organisation or redefining working relationships (re-organising the buisiness); other methods are more adaptable.

This book will help you find your way in the world of large scale interventions. The 18 proven group methods each have a chapter, written by originators and/or foremost practitioners. Each method-chapter includes a case, the explanation of the methodology, the conditions to success, the theoretical basis, etc. In the back of the book you'll find a table describing all 18 methods (explaining how many people can be involved, how lang the change process takes, how it impacts the organisation, etc.). Once you have found which method fits your situation, you'll find references to more specific books explaining a particular method. Another book painting the big picture as well is Barbara Bunker's "Large Scale Interventions".

I recommend the book as a place to start, if you are prepared to treat your organisation as having more EQ than each of the individuals.

Patrick E.C. Merlevede -- co-author of 7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence

I also submitted a "listmania" list entitled "Systemic Large Group Interventions" in which you'll find more references on this topic.

This book is ok - I do this kind of work for a living so there was nothing new in it for me and I returned it - but for those needing an intro to change approaches/techniques this is a good start. My problem with books like this is that they tell you the tools and the how tos to some extent but the real value in engaging in change efforts is knowing when/where the alligator in the swamp is going to pop up and bite you. They don't lay out any lessons learned or things to watch out for so for the unsuspecting they may engage in a change effort and have it fail due to poor delivery etc.

This book should be in the personal library of anyone who does consulting work, whether you are new to the field or a more seasoned practitioner.

Holman and Devane have brought together the most cutting edge (and proven!) change methods, and presented them in a format that helps the reader quickly understand the fundamentals of each approach, and ultimately, "which method is best to use when."

Aside from presenting a thorough summary of top change methods, the book provides detailed charts and checklists that helps the reader compare the different change approaches, identify the right method given their situation, and assists them in taking action to implement these methods in their organization. The book includes a series of planning/study questions to help the reader think through critical issues in selecting a method, in addition to providing "roles and responsibilities" checklists that help set up and structure each method for success. To top it off,the book offers an impressively thorough "resources" chapter which gives the reader lists of books, articles, organization names, phone numbers & email addresses to foster continued learning about the techniques described.

I find the book to be a valuable resource to help guide my work, and an excellent reference source for these cutting edge techniques.

I've just written a review of this book for Quality Progress. As a book reviewer I get lots of books which are 'ok' and few which are 'great' and very few which are 'brilliant'. This book is brilliant.

The author list is complete a who's who of large systems change, the format is very readable and consistent and even the bibliography is crafted as a really useful resource.

Don't argue. Just buy it.

I'm now recommending two must-have books to internal change agents with whom I interact...and this is one of them. Collaborative change (which is what this book is all about) is the only way to sustain meaningful, long-lasting change in our communities and organizations. This book provides a snapshot for 18 of the more important change methodologies currently being used.

I got very excited over the fold-out "comparative matrix" that provides a snapshot for the 3 types of change methods that are considered (planning, structuring and adaptable).

The book is easy to navigate; references are plentiful and easy to use; comparisons, even among change processes with which I'm not so familiar, are easy to understand and capture.

This book is a must for anyone serious about initiating and sustaining organizational and community change.

The book provides general information about different organizational intervention methods. Since most of the writers in this book provide only introductory information and market their method in a similar way, you can't really see much difference between them. If you want to learn how to work with any of those techniques, I suggest you buy the book that focuses on your area of interest.

This book is well-written and well organized, presenting just the right level of information for the experienced facilitator to make a choice. For the less experienced, a great introduction to many approaches. The summary in the back gives a quick comparison. The graphics help the visually-oriented reader.

I knew this book was in the works and have been looking forward to it for almost a year. It exceeded my expectations. A must-have reference book for consultants. Excellent overview of today's cutting edge change strategies. A gourmet menu from which to choose, but choosing is difficult. Each chapter comes with a strong sales pitch. Overall the change methods are much more alike than different.