Customer Reviews

Lightning in a Bottle: Proven Lessons for Leading Change

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Lightning in a Bottle is the best management book that I have ever read - and that is saying a lot because after an MBA and years as a manager I have read too many management books! David Baum's book is FUN and FAST READING and PRACTICAL. Best of all Dr. Baum dispenses business advice that has the wisdom of experience. I used his advice - the chapter about facilitating change by getting all of the affected employees and managers in the same room. Over 100 people did a workshop together to find creative plans to implement an internal project. The meeting was dynamic and very successful and the general manager was impressed by the new approach. In summary, I highly recommend this book. I read it during a couple of short plane flights (it is only about 200 pages) and these few hours turned out to be the most useful 'training' time that I gave myself in the last few years.

David Baum's work on change management, while not as scholarly or detailed as John Kotter's widely-read "Leading Change," is well-written and accessible to a variety of audiences. He arranges his subject matter so that you can open to any page, begin reading there and glean some useful, practical advice on the process of change management. He writes in a very easy and informal style, which makes the book fun to read. As is the case with many of these "management" books, Baum leans a little heavily on anecdotes and witty stories to illustrate his points, but nevertheless manages to keep them concise and relevant. If your company, organization or group is going through a reorganization or a change management process, I would definitely recommend reading this book as a group both before and during the process. I think it will be very helpful, thought-provoking and well worth your time.

This is a great book. I am an organizational consultant and I love this book. The author is able to communicate complex lessons very effectively. I will give copies to my clients so they can benefit from his advice and wisdom. Great book.

I LOVED this book. Practical, useful, funny, refreshing. I was delighted with the specific suggestions and useful information provided. I could pick it up anywhere, read from anywhere. It's a delight to have a leadership book so accessible.

In particular, the chapters on the change cycle and the benefits we get in NOT changing were especially useful and thought-provoking.

My only problem was everyone who picked up my copy wanted to take it with them.

...A practical reflection of David's travels through corporations... and life. Lots of very useful and inspiring ideas of what to do and what NOT to do to solve problems in organizations. The book is organized into short, easy to read chapters, each making a key point.

NOT the usual business rhetoric; instead it's based on actual experiences, so it's both funny and packed with learning. Highly recommended!

The wisdom of one who has 'been there and done that'. Great practical advice, no matter where you open this book. Great insight into everyday organizational issues and problems. A MUST for every change practioner.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the anecdotes and real life examples---Baum writes really well. This book is also a fun read because Baum has a great sense of humor. In my favorite story, "Live in the Leap," Baum compares taking a risk at work/professionally like jumping off a platform as a trapeze artist.

A terrific read. Useful, specific, funny and very, very helpful. I particularly valued the chapters on the change cycle and the benefits people get in not changing.

Maybe the best book on the subject I've ever read. Much more accessible than theoretical texts currently available which I find cumbersome and difficult to plow through. This was a joy.

I only wish my friends would buy their own copy.

This book arranges some good ideas in a natural manner. The explanations are clear and sufficient. But what makes it different from other articles in "change management" area is the auther's ability to make readers focus on what they could have been wrong, when they have conducted a plan in the past.

This is different. Too often, articles talk about how to make changes happen in an organization make deep studies on how people in organization will response and how the reader should do accordingly - without changing the reader/pioneer's stand. This one brings the topic back to what readers may improve in future actions.

David Baum has written a deep thoughtful book in an engaging and fun format. Baum has shared truly insightful teachings about the nature of change at the personal and the organizational level. As I read "Lightning in a Bottle" I felt truly motivated and empowered to handle future change. I felt Baum shared with me his personal and treasured gifts in each and every story. He effectively weaves in many brillant quotes. The quote from Rumi, 'Out beyond the world of ideas of right doing and wrong doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.' is my favorite. I look forward to sharing this 'gift' with my friends and professional associates. Thanks David!