Jim Collins wrote an insightful foreword to the latest edition of Peter Drucker's 608-page classic,
Management Rev Ed. Collins said, "There are two ways to change the world: the pen (the use of ideas) and the sword (the use of power). Peter Drucker chose the pen, and thereby rewired the brains of thousands who carry the sword--and contributed as much to the triumph of the free world as any other individual."
Another world changer with a potent pen is Patrick Lencioni. He too rewires our brains and, fortunately, does it by telling stories that don't run 600 pages. This book is his latest gift to leaders and managers.
Caution! Lest you think this book doesn't relate to you, think again. In classic Lencioni story-telling style, this very, very humorous fable convicts, gives hope, challenges and offers memorable teachable moment stories. (Yes...I read the most poignant and funniest ones to my wife.)
So what's with the "naked" part? Lencioni explains (after telling the story), "At its core, naked service boils down to the ability of a service provider to be vulnerable--to embrace uncommon levels of humility, selflessness, and transparency for the good of a client."
He adds, "As obvious as that may sound, it is more difficult than it seems, because humility and selflessness and transparency often entail suffering. And suffering is not something most human beings, especially in our modern culture, understand or welcome."
So what's funny about that? Nothing. But read the book in a setting (you can do it in one sitting) where you can laugh out loud, because you will.
The main character is a consultant and the storyline delivers three unexpected side benefits. If you use consultants, you'll immediately raise the expectations bar and never again settle for someone who fails the core values test (vulnerability). If you are a consultant or even consult informally on the side or in other departments, you'll want to embrace the values. It's simple, but sacrificial. If you're a consultant wanna-be (and who isn't?) you could create your own apprentice program and see if you dare integrate these values into your current life in the trenches.
Each of the three fears (like "Fear of Feeling Inferior"--and who doesn't have that problem?) include powerful sub-points, like "Take a Bullet for the Client" and "Do the Dirty Work." I don't want to squander all of my Top-10 book picks for 2010 (it's only March), but, wow...this one has gotta be on my list.
As we know, the power of the pen delivers the power of story and the power of story enables life-long learners to get it quickly--and right between the eyes. Read this book and let Lencioni rewire your brain. Then maybe God will help you rewire your heart.
