The Philosophic Consultant: Revolutionizing Organizations with Ideas [Paperback]

Peter Koestenbaum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787962481 | ISBN-13: 978-0787962487 | Publication Date: October 2, 2002 | Edition: 1

In The Philosophic Consultant, acclaimed business consultant, philosopher, and author Peter Koestenbaum links deep insights of philosophy with practical business issues. Throughout this one-of-a-kind resource, Koestenbaum shows consultants and human resource practitioners how they can foster philosophical leadership within their organizations to positively affect the business environment. The book promises tangible results-- credibility, trust, and thoughtful attention-- and demonstrates how to apply philosophy, share knowledge with others, and use this newfound thoughtfulness to achieve bottom-line results.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Offers plenty of thought provoking guidelines you can use in thinking about ethics in your workplace." (Business Times, December 2002)

Review

"Global business is an arena where human beings are facing tremendous challenges, and yet, the importance of authentic leadership in business had long been deserving the deeper approach it now finally gets with Peter Koestenbaum's work, an approach which should free the creative leadership in those willing to take advantage of it. Nothing is more liberating for me as a business leader than to be able to leave behind the useless simplistic how-to recipes I have been used to get from consultants, and learn to consciously deal with the hard truths of business from an adult perspective, recognize my subjectivity, dare to look for the right questions to ask when things get 'stuck,' accept to walk the tightrope in polar situations where a problem does not have any definitive solution, face the consequences of tough decisions, and throughout all of
these maintain integrity and hope." —Michael Cimet, Electronic Data Systems, President for Latin America

"We live at a time that requires of leaders both competence and authenticity. We face both business issues and character issues. In becoming a leader, all of us must display both wisdom and business skills. What Peter Koestenbaum does in The Philosophic Consultant is not only to integrate wisdom into leadership, which is what you would expect of a philosopher, but he is also very pragmatic and applies this new thinking directly to the crucial strategic marketing needs. Something that is essential for a company?s very survival." —Dan Werbin, president and CEO, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

"The Philosophic Consultant redefines the way managers must think about their organizations, people and markets to be successful both in business and in life. It calls each of us to understand that ethics in life and in business may be your most important concerns. By helping the reader focus on implementation decisions, choices, and commitment, Peter Koestenbaum points the way for responsible and effective managements in a world where trust seems to be challenged on every front." —Otis W. Baskin, Ph.D., special advisor to the president and CEO of the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate School of Business, International, professor of management, and former dean, Graziadio School of Business Management, Pepperdine University

"After a decade of often excessive superficiality in management theory and practice, Peter Koestenbaum?s refreshing book The Philosophic Consultant provides answers for leaders and organizations in search of deeper meanings. The author?s philosophical roots are clearly visible in the new work on enlarging the dimensions of leadership. His most significant insights are: the importance of freedom; the choice to be ethical; and the acknowledgment of our boundaries." — Tomas Sattelberger, executive vice president product and service, member of the board of Lufthansa German Airlines, vice president of the European foundation for management development

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (October 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787962481
• ISBN-13: 978-0787962487
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, November 5, 2002

By 

Raymond R. Patchett (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Philosophic Consultant: Revolutionizing Organizations with Ideas (Paperback)

Peter Koestenbaum has integrated centuries of thought and knowledge into a coherent easily understandable and practical guide on how to lead your life, manage your business and consult to leaders. The elegance of his work is that he integrates much of mankind's wisdom with his own business experience in a manner that is easily applied in a community or organizational environment. Peter Koestenbaum and The Philosophic Consultant are gifts to you and your clients--take the time to read and reflect on the wisdom that he provides so freely to each one of us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy is Everywhere, April 6, 2010

By 

Leodis Scott (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Philosophic Consultant: Revolutionizing Organizations with Ideas (Paperback)

I read a very critical response here about how the book simplifies the complexity of philosophy by somehow reconciling age-old questions.

Actually, I recently conducted a formal review of the same book so I had to respond. I agree that the book does not explore philosophical claims or any philosophers with great depth- nor should it! The purpose was to revive philosophy as a relevant medium to address real world problems even in businesses. To ponder over the debates of philosophy in front of a general audience only distances and distracts them further.

The message I gained from the book is that using the general points of philosophy, with its timeless concepts, can create thoughtful leaders and better businesses. So, they can now form confidently defined purposes and missions. For that reason alone, philosophy earns its place among other solutions for performance. This book helps to advance this idea in a refreshing way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal, May 12, 2008

By 

Naomi Dozono "Naomi" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Philosophic Consultant: Revolutionizing Organizations with Ideas (Paperback)

This man has mastered the art of melding (seamlessly) classical philosophical ideas and cutting edge, practical business advice. Disregard the solitary negative review. This guy is both relevant and highly interesting and compelling. I have read his other stuff as well. Always of the highest quality. Like having your own private guru and Yoda.
And I have always wanted to be a "Philosophical Consultant." It is kind of tantamount to being an existential investigator.