Customer Reviews

Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others, and Raise Performance (J-B Warren Bennis Series)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a masterpiece in terms both of content and reader friendliness!
It is a distillation of the wisdom from an extraordinary, life long, experience of the author, on countless business - and not only - leadership settings, practically in any part of the world.
The reader will be walked through "an emotional experience that will stimulate his heart, mind and spirit", so that - in a unique practical way - will be taken to "new places in his personal and professional life".
He will understand (1) the power of the mind's eye (the way we view the world - "weltanschaung"), (2) the primary need ("just like air, food and water") of a secure base ("never to be left without one!") that results from bonding to other people and from bonding to stimulating concepts (goals, countries, objects, beliefs, religions...) and (3) the art of conflict resolution (through effective dialogue, negotiations and E.Q. management).
Based on the above ideas, Professor George Kohlrieser is showing to all of us how to live with a "hostage-free state of mind" and to achieve high performance in our lives and our corporations.
George concludes: "Take time to reclaim yourself and decide to be who you want to be. Live life as an adventure, a journey, and view it as an opportunity to learn, to contribute, to grow every minute, every hour, every day. Accept the tremendous power that is within you, and, with humility, make the choices that you want in order to enable your life to be fulfilling with a hostage-free state of mind".
Personally, I would like to express publicly my sincere gratitude for the opportunity that I had to read this exceptional book. I have no other words but to recommend this book for everyone who wishes to become an effective leader for the benefit of his company, himself, his family, his friends and associates, and the world as a whole...

Review by:
Emmanuel C. Kondylis, Ph.D.
Professor of Strategic Leadership and Director:Management Unit & MBA Program,University of Piraeus (Greece),
also
Chairman:Tourist Development Company, S.A.

Forget about this is a business book - this is a life book! I have been lucky enough to work with associates who have been familiar with Dr. Kohlrieser's philosophies of dealing with conflict.

I am currently dealing with several challenges in my life, and reading this book has allowed me to deal with those challenges and move to a "hostage free" state of mind. This book has made such an impact personally and professionally that I ordered 5 books for my brothers and several friends. I unfortunately ordered too few and I am now placing another order for 5 more.

Hostage at the Table is a "breakthrough" book for all those who practice and teach conflict management and conflict resolution. Through his practical and highly relevant experience as hostage negotiator with the Police department in Ohio, Dr. Kohlrieser has created a wonderful metaphor which helps to understand why many times we become a hostage of our past and of our own perceptions. This very valuable book is insightful, easy to read and highly motivational.

As a Management Professor in Germany and a certified coach I am already using Dr. Kohlrieser's book with top executives and my clients. Hostage at the Table is already a "classical" in management development education. Every coach must read Dr. Kohlrieser's book

Dr. Francisco Szekely.
Adjunct Professor of Responsible Leadership
European School of Management and Technology, Germany
And former Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural resources of Mexico

Reading this book is like having a deep and meaningful conversation with our Self. We are drawn into a compelling inner dialogue around our assumptions and beliefs as well as our desires and dreams. The focus is on what we want to create and accomplish in our lives and in our leadership and on what is holding us back. George Kohlrieser challenges us to confront and resolve the inner states of captivity and constraint we create for ourselves as a first step to engaging in meaningful dialogue and conflict resolution with others. He invites us to cross an edge, to step outside the boundaries we impose on ourselves and on others and to begin to explore with courage and candor the far side of what we believe is possible. I suggest you take the time not just to read this book but to experience it, engaging fully in the powerful inner dialogue it evokes. The messages and concepts embedded in each chapter offer vital tools to unlock our potential and live our dreams as individuals, teams and organizations.

This book makes a compelling argument for similarities between actual hostage situations and business relationships. Similar to hostage situations, the balance of power can be abused in the business world. The author provides a formal analysis of the basis for the abuses and approaches to deal with abusive business relationships. This book provides real solutions based on solid research and knowledge.

George Kohlrieser understands the brain. Hostage at the Table is packed with wonderful insights into how your mind works....in business and in life. It is a readable book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. George has a gift for making the complex clear and easy to understand. He has connected up some very important dots regarding leadership and the brain. Chapter 2 is worth the price of the book alone! I am giving a copy to each of our kids.

Terry Small
president
The Terry Small Learning Corporation

For anyone who has ever felt bullied in a conversation, reading this book is like getting a proverbial black-belt in interpersonal Aikido. George Kohlrieser has identified the crucial elements for establishing an authentic connection with anyone in any situation and provides a sure-fire approach creating influence through constructive dialogue. His style is clear, concise and vivid with an array of stories from the front line that are as instructive as they are entertaining. Hostage At The Table is a terrific resource for leaders, educators, salespeople, and anyone who relies on negotiation to get results. I enjoyed every page!

I found this work to be a good reference to a collection of many other works. I would not consider this a book for "reading." It has some useful gems, but is sometimes redundant and repetitive.

A powerful book ! Dr. Kohlrieser has a unique way of helping the reader discover ones true authentic self by taking back the peices we have given away by being a hostage to our emotions and others. This book is life changing!

Joyce Crouch, Partner, Dynamic Links, LLC

This book is full of powerful stories! Dr. Kohlrieser has given us the key to unlocking our personal power to live happy, joy-filled lives.