Developing Strategic Thought: Rediscovering the Art of Direction-Giving (Mcgraw-Hill Developing Organizations) [Hardcover]

Bob Garratt (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995 | Series: Mcgraw-Hill Developing Organizations

Changes in the business environment have exposed the inadequacies of managers and directors who act "top-manager-as-action-hero", focusing on short-term, bottom line goals. Organizations are beginning to realize that "managing" is not the same as "directing" and that shaping an organization and preparing for the future is a very different function from dealing with day-to-day business. This text focuses on the power of strategic thinking to balance direction. Strategic thinking is not strategic planning: it is a reflective process which analyzes the wider perspective to help direct the organization. The book covers the whole process with contributions from major international practitioners and thinkers who are leading the way in strategic thinking.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill; First Edition edition (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0077079868
• ISBN-13: 978-0077079864
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,881,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb compendium on developing strategic thinking!, October 21, 2006

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Developing Strategic Thought: Rediscovering the Art of Direction-Giving (Mcgraw-Hill Developing Organizations) (Hardcover)

Developing Strategic Thought: Rediscovering the Art of Direction-Giving
by Bob Garratt

In essence, this is a very well-organised collection of articles/essays written by a ragtag list of renowned practising experts (including Henry Mintzberg, Jerry Rhodes, Phil Hanford) in the field of strategic thinking & strategy consulting. The Editor is Bob Garratt, who runs a global strategy consulting outfit.

It is primarily targetted at organisational professionals sitting on the board - "direction givers" as the author calls them. It has since become one of my favourite strategic thinking books.

Out of the many chapters, I have enjoyed digesting chapter 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 14. From a strategy formulation standpoint, the specific articles (chapters) are superb stuff with immediate application pliancy.

Chapter 2 explains why it is imperative for board-level professionals to embrace strategic thinking.

Chapter 5 is a real gem. It illustrates strategic thinking as visioning (or seeing) from multiple perspectives. A masterpiece by Henry Minzberg.

Chapter 6 covers mindsets - the stumbling blocks to strategic thinking. Very well written/presented by the author.

Chapter 7 is also a real gem. It introduces one enlightening perspective on strategic thinking processes. Although it gives a relatively broad brush, readers are recommended to pursue the contributing author (Jerry Rhodes)'s other books on the subject (specifically, The Colours of Your Mind & Conceptual Toolmaking).

Chapter 10 is an eye opener on exploring various strategic options, using a multitude of practical tools (as outlined in the resources)introduced by the author. The author is the late Phil Hanford. For beginners & veterans, his one article/essay alone is worth more than the price of the book. My only 'complaint' is that Bob Garratt did not name the above contributing author's book on strategic management, where most of the concepts & technqiues mentioned in the article were originally developed. I could not trace the book at amazon.com.

Chapter 14 introduces the ten steps to strategic thinking, among other interesting ideas for direction givers.

To sum up my review, & if readers are looking for a quick short-cut to understanding strategic thinking from many different perspectives, as well as achieving a solid foundation on the subject (through further exploration, of course), this book is definitely a good starter. It is very succinctly & concisely written, with an all-encompassing introduction as the beginning chapter.

Kudos to Bob Garratt!