The Randori Principles : The Path of Effortless Leadership [Hardcover]

David H. Baum (Author), Jim Hassinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2002

Out of the chaos of business change, mergers, acquisitions, and upheavals, leaders continually seek practical new ways of thinking about-and doing-business. Many will identify with this description: "Suddenly you are attacked from multiple directions at once, seemingly with no pattern or reason. Unrelenting, simultaneous, and armed, the attacks keep coming."

The solution draws from ancient Aikido principles. It is called Randori. In the above attack, consider: "Instead of panicking or flailing, you respond effortlessly and impeccably. Each movement, each technique you bring forward perfectly parries every force you encounter. You flow with the attacks, almost without thought, and in doing so rise brilliantly above the flurry of opposition." THAT is Randori.

Applying The Randori Principles to business is a perfect match, for Aikido is about mastering the chaos of multiple attacks, the scenario facing companies daily. Leaders will learn to: *Apply the right action, right timing, and right use of power. *Bring focus to leadership. *Master Irimi-the use of the single sword strike. *Turn resistance into collaboration. *Know when to disengage.

Coauthors Baum and Hassinger identify essential techniques and encourage heightened awareness in 60 time-tested management lessons. Their fast-paced and refreshingly brief scenarios are rich with action ideas to try.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Consultants Baum and Hassinger apply stories from the Japanese martial art aikido and the wisdom of anthropologist Angeles Arrien to develop leadership skills. Taken from aikido, randori means being in the right place at the right time with the right techniques and the right level of power. The authors have developed what they term randori principles to establish a path of effortless leadership that can create extraordinary results. Section one presents the philosophy of randori, sections two and three address different ways to enhance leadership and minimize resistance and struggle, and sections four and five look at the impact of decisive and deliberate moves and the skill of disengagement. The final section, devoted to being advanced as a leader, includes suggestions for developing the soul of a warrior, becoming a worthy adversary, understanding that today's leadership skills won't be good enough tomorrow, and generating the full-hearted commitment necessary for effortless success. With leadership being a mix of art and science, many will find the authors' approach intriguing. Mary Whaley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

What Is Randori?

Randori (/ran-'door-ee/ v.; from the Japanese martial art aikido) means to be in the right place, with the right technique, at the right time, with the right level of power. Through nearly 60 insightful, entertaining anecdotes, lessons, and stories, authors David Baum and Jim Hassinger illustrate how the randori principles can be applied to the heart of successful business leadership.

Business—as in aikido—is more than just the rote performance of essential knowledge. The true master (or great business leader) studies his or her environment, tracks challenges, and maintains a sense of internal balance. By doing so, he or she can quickly decide what to do, what level of force to use, and the best time to take action. Otherwise, by applying wrong technique, wrong timing, or inappropriate force, unnecessary resistance or struggle will likely be encountered. And, while few executives have actually lost their heads in corporate battle, many have lost their jobs over the misuse of action, timing, or application.

Consider the following: A multi-billion-dollar global bank is changing its customer model to one of market management. An international oil company is implementing a new $200 million information system. A small foundation needs to respond to multiple simultaneous requests for funding. A health care system wants to transform its care delivery system in the midst of a hostile reimbursement environment. These are all clients with whom the authors have worked and, in doing so, have brought forward the “spirit” of randori.

In aikido, when you are so present that all the techniques you know are evenly available to you, it is said: “The fight is over before it begins.” The same is also true in business.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing; 1 edition (February 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793148626
• ISBN-13: 978-0793148622
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,539,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can use the Randori Principles!, March 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Randori Principles : The Path of Effortless Leadership (Hardcover)

At first, I thought this was going to be a "New Age" type fluff book. It was recommended by a collegue so I picked it up. I was immediately able to see how the basic century old technqiues of Aikido can be applied to business. For the first time, I saw a way to use the "right level" of force and how to use the energy of conflict. I also work with a not-for-profit organization on a pro bono basis and I know I can use it in that environment. If anything, the balance of force and power are even more tenuous in that work setting.
An added bonus- I can see how to use it within the family dynamic. Remember that saying about teenagers "Pick your battle". It makes a lot more sense after reading this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Health Care Leaders: Randori Principles Are For You!, March 25, 2002

By 

Mary J. Connaughton (Norway, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Randori Principles : The Path of Effortless Leadership (Hardcover)

I know I have read something special when excerpts from Randori Principles: The Path to Effortless Leadership come back to me weeks later as I am driving my car! Hassinger and Baum have managed what few authors of leadership and management do: to reveal themselves as both humble learners and enlightened teachers in leadership and in life. Their brilliant use of stories de-mystifies the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit for today's harried leaders. The simple yet compelling, "Try This" at the close of each chapter makes the book easy to consume in small bites. As a nurse and health care consultant, my clients are challenged to optimize their use of self, whether with patients, employees or colleagues. Randori Principles speak to the health care community. The lessons contained in Irimi are especially pertinent for those dedicated nurse leaders, primarily female, whose effectiveness can be enhanced by balancing their hard-wired compassion with greater boldness and decisiveness. This book will be dog-eared in my brief case and frequently recommended to my clients.

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and applicable tool, March 20, 2002

By 

Jamie Trowbridge (Dublin, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Randori Principles : The Path of Effortless Leadership (Hardcover)

I hate business books that drone on and on and don't leave you with any practical advice. That's not this book. The engaging anecdotes -- each with a "moral" at the end of the story -- make for easy reading. And the variety of situations covered by the authors should ensure that everyone has at least a few ideas they can take away and try. I am sure I'll turn back to this book for the inspirational quotations that begin each chapter. I find having the right quote can really make a communication about organizational change. David Baum's first book, Lightning in a Bottle, was equally useful in this regard.