Teaching an Anthill to Fetch: Developing Collaborative Intelligence @ Work [Paperback]

Stephen James Joyce (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Mighty Small Books Publishing (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978031202
• ISBN-13: 978-0978031206
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A descendent of a long line of storytellers, I was raised on a 22-acre farm in Northern Ireland in the height of the 'troubles'.

Although the Irish were warm and kind, they collaborated very poorly. I became fascinated with what enables people to 'get on' and what can be achieved when people collaborate.

For over a quarter of a century, I have been researching the dynamics of change, problem resolution, group dynamics and my greatest passion - collaborative intelligence.

I have trained extensively in facilitation methods, improv, training and development design, and group dynamic techniques.

As well as being the author of 'Teaching an Anthill to Fetch' I am also a keynote speaker and business consultant, and act as the resilience content expert for one of Canada's largest health regions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sorry to buck the trend of gushing but. . . ., August 29, 2007

By 

Roger W. Wright (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teaching an Anthill to Fetch: Developing Collaborative Intelligence @ Work (Paperback)

This book reads as if a really engaging, curious and bright gentleman took a look around his bookshelves; pulled out the full range of quotes, tips, models, favorite stories; and then jammed them all into a big old shining aluminum can and painted "Collaborative Intelligence" on the front.

To be clear: "Collaborative Intelligence" is a GREAT way to market the stale old cliches of teambuilding. And no one who does leadership or organizational development should EVER get points taken off for writing the obligatory book to accompany the lucretive consulting gigs. But try as I might---I really couldn't find anything really new here. NOT that Joyce is putting anything out there as new. He is very respectful of citing his sources. And he does add value making the work of Senge or Sharmer perhaps a bit more accessible (although I always found the Senge "Field Books" to be extremely accessible. And "Presence" is a book I'd call brilliant.)

As it appears this book will sell---perhaps he can now afford a ghost writer or even an editor. There is a conceptual muddiness that runs through the book. One quick example: Joyce cites "Perception" as being one of the 5 elements of Perception. (page 30). On page 129 he introduces a question (and it is an important one) that he tells us "runs through the whole book." Mr. Joyce---why did you wait till the middle of the book for that?

That's the frustration---the guy really is good. The book really has a core sense of having a message that is vitally important on all sorts of levels. But the book itself is full of half formed, cliches (see the chapter on "Communication")and platitudes that get in the way of his message.

Look for his NEXT book. I'm betting that should he decide to partner with some of the folks he's read---he'll have something important to say. Maybe even something new and conceptually sound.


Roger Wright
Leadership and OD Consultant

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New solutions and opportunities, July 25, 2007

By 

J. Calloway (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teaching an Anthill to Fetch: Developing Collaborative Intelligence @ Work (Paperback)

I read a lot of business books. I mean a LOT. I even write one occasionally. What Stephen Joyce has done with this book is quite extraordinary. It's rare that we discover a TRULY new way of looking at how the world works. That's exactly what this book does. Joyce practically compels you see and act on new solutions and opportunities. I really think that this is one of the best and most useful books that I've read in a very long time. I highly recommend it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Group Resilience Breakthrough, May 15, 2007

By 

Lawrence A. Siebert "Al Siebert, Ph.D. author... (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teaching an Anthill to Fetch: Developing Collaborative Intelligence @ Work (Paperback)

Collaborative Intelligence is a fresh new way to understand how individuals and teams working toward a common goal can achieve amazing results Joyce is outstanding in showing the connection between personal and group resilience. This is a breakthrough book!