Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity, Innovation, and Renewal (J-B CCL (Center for Creative Leadership)) [Hardcover]

Stanley S. Gryskiewicz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787910082 | ISBN-13: 978-0787910082 | Publication Date: July 2, 1999 | Edition: 1

Can your company manage -- even encourage -- turbulence in ways that actually strengthen its competitive stance? Absolutely. In this work, top organizational psychologist Stanley Gryskiewicz argues that challenges to the status quo can be catalysts for creativity, innovation, and renewal and shows leaders how they can keep their company on the competitive edge by embracing a process he calls Positive Turbulence. Developed through the author's work with many of the world's leading companies over the course of thirty years, Positive Turbulence delivers proven methods for creating an organization that continuously renews itself through the committed pursuit of new ideas, products, and processes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...vitally important issues that need to be studied more closely..." (Long Range Planning)

Review

"In this highly readable, soundly practical book, Gryskiewicz distills the wisdom gained in his twenty-five years of working with the world's most creative organizations. The lesson is this: Managers can enable and even direct the seemingly random activity that often precedes creative breakthroughs and, in doing so, they can increase the probability of big hits." —Teresa M. Amabile, MBA Class of 1954 Professor of Business Administration Senior Associate Dean, Director of Research, Harvard Business School

"We are constantly told that the very survival and future success of our business corporations depends on how fast and how efficient we seek out viable opportunities—and we are reminded that this is a continuous process. This book tells us how to do it and do it in a way that taps into the full innovative and creative capabilities of all employees. Stan Gryskiewicz's work adds a distinctly human dimension to the whole renewal movement." —Gerry Rooney, former director of executive development, World Bank

"Stan is an acknowledged pro at skillfully weaving practical business solutions with creative processes. In Positive Turbulence he takes us beyond just using the potential of the enormous change all around us into deliberately unsettling our comfort zones to inspire new opportunity. This is required reading for organizations looking to break out of the pack." —Walter Elcock, merger transition executive, Bank of America

"To present, in a clear and comprehensive manner, the complexity ofmanaging corporate renewal in times of crises and chaos requires the experience and insightfulness of both an analytic and creative mind. Dr. Stan Gryskiewicz unites those qualities and has eloquently described the powerful tool of creating Positive Turbulence. This book is a must read for survival and success in the 21st century!" —Patrick Colemont, M.Sc., co-founder, European Association for Creativity and Innovation

"With Positive Turbulence, Stan Gryskiewicz gives us the wisdom of his career-long work in applied creativity. What he knows is well worth knowing. For anyone with a team, an opportunity and a corporate playing field, his book is a gift." —Frank P. Bordonaro, Ph.D, chief learning officer, The Prudential Insurance Company of America

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 195 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (July 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787910082
• ISBN-13: 978-0787910082
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovation Principles That Produce Results, December 21, 1999

By 

Joe Prochaska, President Donlar Life Sciences (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity, Innovation, and Renewal (J-B CCL (Center for Creative Leadership)) (Hardcover)

POSITIVE TURBULENCE is enjoyable to read, logical in its structure but not stiff, and it really reflects the essence of 30 years of top-level insight into major organizations around the world. The author provides us with the best of this experience, and not all writers do this-they often try to withhold a few gems for the next book, making the current product less than it could have been.

It is our good fortune that the author has avoided this temptation. Rather, this book is a sincere sharing of a breakthrough experience that has lessons of value the reader can immediately put to productive use. I am one of those that tries on a lot of books, and few seem to fit; but POSITIVE TURBULENCE fits perfectly and, like a favorite, it will be enjoyed and appreciated for a lifetime.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This rings true!, October 13, 1999

By 

Martha Tilyard ([e-mail]) (Greensboro, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity, Innovation, and Renewal (J-B CCL (Center for Creative Leadership)) (Hardcover)

With twenty years experience working inside a corporation, consulting to organizations, and working with their executives....I find this book one of the most practical works on creativity I've read. Stan uses real-world stories and gives workable solutions. His ideas excite without intimidating. I find myself thinking, "This is doable!" I can see this book bringing hope to overwhelmed executives - helping them deal positively with change. My thinking has been sparked in countless ways as I read it and I'm already planning to use it with clients. Loved the "how to" of targeted innovation - clear explanation, easy to use! And the annotated bibliography is a bonus.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll come away embracing change, not avoiding it, October 7, 2000

By 

Diane Ducat (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity, Innovation, and Renewal (J-B CCL (Center for Creative Leadership)) (Hardcover)

Stan Gryskiewicz has a gift for telling a story. This makes his book, Postive Turbulence, a pleasure to read. More important, he has years of experience in helping organizations, teams, and individuals become more innnovative. This makes Positive Turbulence truly useful.

This optimistic, upbeat book stands out because of Gryskiewicz's ability to show how his ideas can be put into action. Pragmatic and practical, he shares his ideas and experience generously. Strategies such as "Focusing on the periphery as a source for innovation and renewal" come to life as a way of spotting technology shifts and marketplace trends.

As a psychologist and consultant, I work with R & D teams and with managers who need to become more effective, forward-looking leaders. This is a book I can and will recommend to my clients and to my colleagues.