Lessons from the Window Seat, Achieving Shared Vision in the Workplace [Paperback]

David Specht (Author), Linda V. Berens (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2000

Written in a lively story format, Lessons from the Window Seat provides a practical tool for the reader to better understand themselves, their individual psychological core values and how those values relate to where and why they work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an engaging and reader-friendly book. The theories are clear; the demonstrations, realistic; and the ideas for application, abundant." -- R.W. Linneweh, Jr., President, Chief Executive Officer, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital

"...can be read with deceptive ease, but the reader will find paths toward deeper personal understanding and enhanced effectiveness at every juncture." -- Candice Frankovelgia, Senior Program Associate, Center for Creative Leadership

"...can be read with deceptive ease...the reader will find paths toward deeper personal understanding, enhanced effectiveness at every juncture. -- Candice Frankovelgia, Senior Program Associate, Center for Creative Leadership

"A simple read that discovers interesting insights to working differently and more effectively". -- Ken Blanchard, Co-author of The One Minute Manager

"An easy-to-read story that helps you understand your style and set personal and professional goals..." -- R.M. Jenson, President, SYSCO Food Services of Seattle

"Perfect for the organization faced with the issue of improving colleague retention." -- Kelly Bennan, Chief Learning Officer, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.

"The integration of individual and organizational values provides powerful energy that fuels a new definition of success!" -- Virginia Duncan, President, Wisconsin Leadership Institute

"The world would be a better one and companies healthier places if more people followed Specht's advice. Simple. Helpful. Worthwhile." -- Patrick Lencioni, Author, The Five Temptations of a CEO

Mr. Specht's prose style creates a remarkable look at diversity in value perception a must read for all "value-centered" organizations." -- Tom Hill, Senior Associate, The Ken Blanchard Companies, Co-Author of The Leadership Bridge

From the Author

The primary purpose of Lessons from the Window Seat is to introduce leaders to the essential components of achieving shared vision in relationships, primarily workplace relationships. Ive designed this book in a relatively quick reading story format. The storyline is combined with theory in the form of graphics. The graphics chart the course of the main characters search for shared vision and provide the reader with a ready-to-use guide for achieving shared vision in his or her personal situation.

Lessons from the Window Seat offers guidelines to achieving a shared future for both inexperienced and experienced leaders, with an understanding of why others will want to contribute. When individuals in an organizational system discover the interdependency of their core needs and values with those of their teams, they can take personal interest in product/service improvement. Lessons from the Window Seat does not try to place people into categories at work; rather, it illuminates how completely different people can work together effectively.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Telos Publications (June 15, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0966462483
• ISBN-13: 978-0966462487
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,299,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Strategies for Success, July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lessons from the Window Seat, Achieving Shared Vision in the Workplace (Paperback)

I would recommend this book to anyone that is in a leadership position or on a team. The book took me about five hours to read, but I will be using these ideas for a lifetime. Using the popular temperament theory (ref: Please Understand Me; D.Keirsey) along with the concept of shared vision, Mr. Specht has illuminated the need for incorporating each person's psychological needs into the group's mission, whether it be on a team or within the whole company. A special addition to the book is the last section called "Your Half of the Contract for Shared Vision Process" which is a self-exploratory "quick guide" to going through the process that the main character has described in the text. It helps you get a rough idea of what your temperament is and helps you build a short mission statement for yourself. I can see this book making an impact on employees throughout companies everywhere, so I recommend that you get a head start by reading it today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True understanding, July 20, 2007

By 

D. M. Parker "Nene" (The South) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lessons from the Window Seat, Achieving Shared Vision in the Workplace (Paperback)

I thought Dave wrote a book that is easy to read and easy to understand. Very good information for someone going into a leadership role. I was able to read it in about a day. I have owned the book for years and often refer back to it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding me, you, them and the others!, September 8, 2005

By 

Thomas H. O'connor "bookbinder" (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lessons from the Window Seat, Achieving Shared Vision in the Workplace (Paperback)

The format and style of this book is ideal for anyone who needs to understand the subject quickly and without too heavy a read.

It's the kind of book that can be slipped into a desk drawer, glove compartment or bedside shelf.

The learning is taking place effortlessly and it's possible to read and retain the learning points that you accumulate as you flow through the sections.

I would recommend this book strongly.