Customer Reviews

Dangerous Undertaking: The Search for Transformation

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the Opera House in Sydney to the streets of Manila (and numerous points in between), Dangerous Undertakings is a fascinating adventure that explores the question of individual purpose within organizations - is it even possible for an individual to make a difference in the world? And if so, who is best positioned to make that difference? Jim Brown expertly delves into the concepts of social responsibility and capitalism and the organization leader and manager roles in ensuring that our generation (and future generations) uses our talents and resources to make the world a better place - and fulfill our individual purposes. Dangerous Undertakings will challenge your thoughts around "being open to possibilities," along with your preconceptions of daily "coincidences" as being merely chance happenings; this book will certainly spur many a spirited dialogue among leaders and students from all walks of life!

I really enjoyed reading this book! The thoughts and questions of the main character were often in sync with my own thoughts. I felt like I was going through the transformation along with main character and I was. The book left me at the start of a new journey and I am looking forward to it!

A great and inspiring read. I found myself putting the book down frequently to relate what I had just read with my experience. This alone brings high marks from a 'management' book' which this is not. It has a place on an executives bookshelf but also in the hands of all levels of workers. In this day and age it is especially cogent in pointing out the individual's role in workplace, homeplace or global transformation. Yes, tune in but don't drop out; paticipate ethically and responsibly. I like road maps and this book is filled with them or is there only one.

In this time of self-help and how-to books it is refreshing to encounter a volume that provides the reader with a story rather than a set of exercises. Rather than "do as I say" instructions, author Brown offers to "show you one man's story." How much more engaging and inspiring this approach is!

More than a parable, Dangerous Undertaking is itself an example that story is a form of human communication that is deeper than descriptive instruction. Story provides a context and a way of connecting with what is important in the world as is what we do in the world. I expect you will, as I did, see yourself in each of the characters in this engaging book and see how to make your work (and your) life more fulfilling and important.

I am a professional Mentor for senior executives in top global organisations. Dangerous Undertakings is a rich resource for me and I have found its content delivers great insight. The senior executives I work with can automatically be measured as "great successes" by surface judgements. However, they live in a time- poor vacuum and don't have enough opportunity to do forensic management on their emotional health. This book is like a canary in a mine tunnel.I do recommend it as avaluable read.
Barbara Cail AM
Professional and Personal Mentoring Services

As a consultant, I'm constantly asking clients to change things. Often, I witness, they elect to go through some change work on themselves as part of the process. This simple, intriguing, and insightful read helped remind me about the hard work that goes into personal change--as well as the value that comes as a result. From James Brown's well developed characters and carefully ordered plot, I became absorbed and truly felt the change Neil (the student) went through. Seeing this afresh from his perspective has helped me, I believe, become a better consultant. I also witnessed how Frank (the teacher) carefully moderated what he taught vs. the topics and challenges he merely introduced. Frank never stole the value of a learning experience from Neil and that was a true gift. Two thumbs up!

I was reading the book in bed when my 13 year old son Ryan came into the bedroom and asked me about the book. Executive-John was compelled to describe the book in terms of how corporate greed and unethical business practices has challenged the new breed of "Innocent Fools" who want to work from within to make positive change. I got into greater detail with my son, describing how the book uses wonderful stories and characters, taking you further and further along the tunnel of insight. Trying harder to explain to my son the "gist" of the book, I saw my wife,Cindy, knowingly smile to my son who was patiently standing there listening. In-John, insightfully realizing what executive-John was doing, said "It's a great book." My son smiled,understood and left.

The story is engrossing and you don't want to put the book down. The genius of Dangerous Undertaking is that by creative storytelling, James Brown exposes the reader to some very complex concepts about transformation, yet in a simple way. The book has a very serious message for everyone - we must transform the organisations we work in and the world we live in, because not to take up this challenge will lead to frightening consequences for ourselves and those who come after us. For anyone who has ever asked the question how can they can have an impact on large companies and the world, this is a key book to read. For those who simply want to be inspired by courage and people who dare to take on great challenges, this is the book for you.