Ideaship: How to Get Ideas Flowing in Your Workplace [Paperback]

Jack Foster (Author), Larry Corby (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2001

For Jack Foster, the primary job of a leader (what he calls an "Ideaer") is to raise people's self-esteem, make it fun to come to work, and in the process help both employee and employer boost productivity in an increasingly competitive marketplace. In Ideaship, he simply and compellingly describes 39 ways to unleash workers' creativity.

The book covers a wide spectrum of strategies that are both practical and inspirational. Chapters include "Don't ask for one solution -- ask for many", "Allow them the freedom to fail", and "Give them more than one problem at a time".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jack Foster's concept of 'ideaship' will help you get more out of the people you work with and increase your own productivity in the bargain." -Edward Stephens, former Dean, The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University "Ideaship is thirty-five years of creative coaching experience, condensed and delivered in the short, pithy style of one of America's finest copywriters." -Joe Phelps, CEO, The Phelps Group

From the Publisher

"Jack Foster’s concept of ‘ideaship’ will help you get more out of the people you work with and increase your own productivity in the bargain."—Edward Stephens, former Dean, The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University "Ideaship is thirty-five years of creative coaching experience, condensed and delivered in the short, pithy style of one of America’s finest copywriters."—Joe Phelps, CEO, The Phelps Group

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st edition (November 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576751643
• ISBN-13: 978-1576751640
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn on the light bulbs!, February 5, 2002

By 

Greg Jenkins (Goleta, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ideaship: How to Get Ideas Flowing in Your Workplace (Paperback)

In a word, OUTSTANDING! Ideaship is a must read for all supervisors and managers who want to assist their people in becoming more vital to their organizations. I only wish I had this book in my hands years ago... but it's okay, I've got it now!

Jack Foster's insights are practical, humorous, and so very down-to-earth. He offers such a fresh approach to even the very basics of motivation and creativity. You're gonna love the many new words Jack will add to your vocabulary too. You might even become "ideaized".

Larry Corby's illustrations add the icing to the cake. Every few pages are sparkling with whimsy... I never knew a light bulb could smile.

Do your brain cells a favor and buy this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Problems with "Ideaship"., January 21, 2002

By 

Richard C. Mahoney (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ideaship: How to Get Ideas Flowing in Your Workplace (Paperback)

I have two problems with "Ideaship". The first is with the subtitle, "How to Get Ideas Flowing in Your Workplace". No question, this book is certainly a valuable guide for that, but it's a lot more. A few chapters into the book, it occured to me that the suggestions Mr. Foster was outling to generate ideas are, surprisingly, even more valuable for generating meaningful personal relationships--in or out of the workplace. You needn't be on the employment rolls to benefit from "Ideaship".

My other problem with this book? I now live in fear that those few, benighted people that found themselves working for me will read "Ideaship" and--if they ever had any doubts--now have confirmation that they worked for an unenlightened ninny. Where was "Ideaship" when I needed it?

If you are responsible for the output of fellow workers, or know someone that is, give yourself, or that someone, "Ideaship". Beyond that, if no one is below you on the work ladder, or if you are nowhere near a work ladder, you'll find that "Ideaship" has something (or, in fact, many things) grand to say to you about enhancing your personal relationships.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Simplicity, November 22, 2002

By 

Mikael (UAE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ideaship: How to Get Ideas Flowing in Your Workplace (Paperback)

This is a splendid book and a must for all Leaders and Managers. A lot of stuff recommended by Jack Foster are not only applicable to business situations, but also to life in general. Very easy to read, the book describes the simple stuff that we can do to generate ideas, and the author does it in a ridiculously simple way.

It's not a matter of doing something massive in order to achieve great results. It's all about having a heart, and you will get the maximum output with very little effort.