The Art of Transformation (Paperback)

by Newt Gingrich and Nancy Desmond (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
As Newt Gingrich and Nancy Desmond point out, reform is a small word... and transformation an enormous one. The compelling evidence they muster here makes it clear that wholesale institutional transformation alone will ensure the continued vitality, perhaps even survival, of our nation. The battle-tested authors boldly offer an original yet pragmatic process to guide us, policy maker and practitioner alike, to transformation. But more important, as I see it, they make it clear that this enormous challenge is one which we must accept-and indeed embrace-immediately. I found myself simultaneously challenged, frightened and exhilarated by this masterful text. --Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence

At a moment when many of our institutions face a Katrina-like breadown, nothing could be more timely than Newt Gingrich s brilliant ideas about how to truly transform them. --Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock and the Third Wave

This brilliant blueprint for transformation will empower you to change the world so we can meet the demands of the 21st century. I consider this well-designed work to be a must read for any leader. --Dr Mehmet Oz, vice Chair and Professor of Surgery, New York Presbyterian-Columbia

Product Description
A primer on large scale transformational change.

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: CHT Press (November 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933966009
• ISBN-13: 978-1933966007
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #650,395 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to be an effective leader? Read this book., October 26, 2007

By	Thomas Prewitt (Stillwater, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't speak too highly of this book. Started reading it as soon as I got it and couldn't put it down.

While the theme of transformation here is mainly applied to changing public policy such as healthcare, I found many principles that can be extrapolated to any organization, big or small.

Can you imagine a system which develops specfic metrics that drive decision making based on constant communication, innovation, and improvement in an environment of agile, networked teams with a culture of shared purpose, engagement, and fun?

Sounds like something mid-level management will describe in a memo that the consultant will talk about in a lunch meeting in two months, right? Well, Speaker Gingrich and Ms. Desmond detail how to accomplish this in your organization.

How many bosses or managers have you had that are real leaders?

Not many, right? Well, how would you like to have a leader who followed the principle of moral responsibility with a specific described vision of success and pursued it with energy, resilience and peristence? How would those in your charge respond to your leadership if they knew that you depended on them, responded to their recommendations, learned from them, and had a good time doing it? Think your organization might be more effective? I would think!

Much has been made of nimble, creative, effective organizations since the inception of the Web, harkening back to the "old" dot-com days. However, we still work in slow, hierarchial, disconnected organizations whose dysfunctions bury our creativity and smother our energy.

Want to change that? Get this book and let these folks show you what to do.