Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

As a business man and entrepeneur for more than 40 years, I am forced to confess that this is the most "down to earth" high quality thinking book that came into my hands in many years. It shows from the very begining -and in each page- what real innovation is and should be in any organization operating in any country. It is written out of a life experience which obviously includes knowledge and hard extended atentive work (a good life!). It is not an "instant happening", like instant coffe and other much popular approaches to delicate and far reaching issues, accompanied by an extensive and highly practical "how to" hints and tools for each managerial level and position. Mr. Gryskiewicz, if you intend to keep on writting on the subject, it is not going to be easy to surpass this "Positive Turbulence" you generated. Angel Sanhueza, Executive Director, CPS International.

I am the author of "Thinkertoys," and "Cracking Creativity," and, generally read every book on the market that addresses creativity in the corporate world. "Positive Turbulence" is one of the best of the best on the market today. It should be read by everyone who is interested in helping organizations become more innovative in everything they do. Bravo, to the author for producing a significant contribution to the field.

This book has practical advice based on the author's experience over many years on how exactly do you help large organizations become more innovative. What I liked the best about it is that he gives examples that you can put to work immediately. I also like his point of view that turbulence can be positive - that stimulating our thinking with contact with information that is unrelated to our field of expertise is a good thing. I also like his case examples. Buy the book - you won't be disappointed! Robert Burnside

Positive Turbulence is a very practical guide to keeping your organization moving at a healthy pace and continuing to innovate in order to compete in today's ever-changing marketplace. The theories included can be easily applied and related to any organization with Positive or Negative turbulence. It's a fluid read that's over before you know it.

Positive Turbulence is helpful for leaders at all levels of an organization. With theories and examples, the author promotes the need to see the world of work with fresh eyes and to learn from unexpected situations. As a well-known authority on creativity and innovation, Dr. Gryskiewicz provides convincing information about the value of using changing, often turbulent conditions, to shape a flexible organization, open to new ideas. A good source of practical approaches and lots of resources in an easy-to-read format--this is a good book to include in your leadership library.

C.M.Steward Managing Director The Crossland Group

Gryskiewicz' book helps executives drive their organizations toward breakthroughs in a world of furious competition, threats from unexpected sources and incessant pressure. Most importantly, it gives leaders a way to successfully connect their staff member's talents and spirit with the organization's challenges. Employees want to contribute and be recognized and Positive Turbulence provides an avenue for both. It presents effective, tested practices in leading organizations which all too often sound like common sense but are rarely common practice.

Written in 1999 by Mr. Gryskiewicz this work shares generously from his 30 years of international experience in innovation and change across numerous clients. Positive Turbulence contains many elements which are immediately helpful to those leading or supporting a journey of change.

Unlike Six Sigma, he speaks of "seeing variance as building blocks for the future." Building on the Lean Principle of "Respect for People," he shares numerous examples where change was introduced too quickly..or too slowly in organizations and the resulting learnings. This book is not about "Operational Excellence." In an ever faster changing world, this book is an inspiration to how an organization can "learn" its way into a successful future. Often messy, but with better results than a less chaotic and more structured approach.

The graphical comparison of the Traditional Organization vs. The Turbulence-Driven Organization in the first chapter provides a great overview of Postitive Turbulence.

The list of resources in the appendix includes periodicals, books, organizations and conferences which address creativity, individual, team and targeted innovation, as well as organizational renewal.

A stimulating read, rich in real world examples and a synthesis of organizational change which is relevant to all those involved in helping organizations "learn" their way even faster into the future.