The Membership Organization: Achieving Top Performance Through the New Workplace Community [Hardcover]

Jane liGalloway Seiling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 1997

Provides the vital key to gaining a competitive edge in today's global marketplace.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Davies-Black Publishing; 1st edition (October 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089106110X
• ISBN-13: 978-0891061106
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,332,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Principles of Membership, May 29, 2000

By 

Turgay BUGDACIGIL (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Membership Organization: Achieving Top Performance Through the New Workplace Community (Hardcover)

"Working together must indeed become easier." Jane Galloway Seiling writes, "Leaders now know that the effective organization must create an inclusive, more accepting environment, where everyone has respect and dignity. Leaders have decided it is time to open opportunities to deeper participation and involvement by all so that real innovation is possible. But how can this be done? It is increasingly obvious that it is essential to get top performance from people in all areas of circle. A new workplace scenario reflecting a new mind-set- a community of connected people who care more deeply about their organization- is needed" (pp.1-2).

Hence, she defines new workplace as 'the new workplace community'. "Community means connections among groups over time. The term evokes images of belonging and pride, a symbolic home. Transferring those images to a 'workplace community'- a workplace that is moral and respectful, and that treats employees as 'responsible agents' of the organization- is highly desirable." According to Jane Galloway Seiling the New Workplace Community: (a). is inclusive, integrative, and flexible, (b). sets goals that attract the input of organizational members, (c). encourages collaborative partnerships, (d). communicates effectively, (e). instills pride in organizational memberships, (f). is steadfast in difficult situations, (g). understands that the phrase 'we are the organization' is significant to the success of the workplace community.

In this context, throughout this invaluable book, she discusses the seven principles of membership to the workplace community as follows:

1. Contribution: All organizational participants are 'members.' All members, wherever they are in the organizational circle, contribute to the well-being of their co-members and the workplace community. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Two)

2. Motivation: Members (1) are competent to perform, (2) are challenged to perform, (3) are personally and collectively empowered to take action, and (4) feel they and their work are significant to the overall achievement of the organization. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Three)

3. Decisioning: Decisions are made in the organization through consideration of the three bottom lines: human, social, and financial. The identification of potential long-term outcomes for the organization, as well as for the internal and external customers and the community, are central to the decisioning process. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Four)

4. Relationship: For all members, the 'relational approach' is basic in working with others. It is the responsibility of every member to establish connecting relationships that work and that add energy to the individual, the group, and the organization. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Five)

5. Leadership: Chosen, assigned leader-members still lead. Leadership happens at all levels, and every member has the potential to be a catalyst for achievement and an agent for change. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Six)

6. Accountability: Members are willingly and individually responsible and accounable for working toward organizational goals. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Seven)

7. Advocacy: Members willingness to promote co-members and the workplace community positively influences the performance of individuals, groups, and the organization. (For detailed discussion see Chapter Eight)

She argues that the principles of membership when accepted as the way to work throughout the organization, encourage members to share a common purpose, vision, and goals; stimulate interactive energy; and create the possibility that members can and will accept the urgency of performance as a personal responsibility.

I higly recommend.