The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work: Wisdom for the Workplace from the Classic Tales of Hans Christian Andersen [Hardcover]

Mette Norgaard (Author), Stephen R. Covey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Most professionals push themselves relentlessly to become more successful. But rarely do they find the time to slow down, reflect, and connect to what it is that makes work exciting and meaningful for them. The "Ugly Duckling Goes to Work" draws on Hans Christian Andersen's classic stories to help people become more authentic and alive in their work - in short, to have a genuine work life. Timed to coincide with the global celebration of Andersen's 200th birthday, this charming and incisive book presents new translations of classic fairy tales, and examines the themes and folk wisdom that can be applied to today's workplace. "The Emperor's New Clothes" cautions what can happen when fitting in is taken too far; while "The Ugly Duckling" describes the beauty of finding the company of "fellow swans" and working with people who bring out the best in ourselves. Lighthearted yet practical, "The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work" helps readers think about their professional lives in a way that will bring greater purpose to their busy work lives. This publication coincides with the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's birth, April 2, 2005.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Houston Business Journal: ""...sharp and witty stories for lessons crafted to inspire readers to bring more meaning, more energy and more joy to work to create a meaningful work life....the book includes[s] Mette Norgaard’s new translations of the full texts, which restore the humor and rich detail often muted in previous translations.""

USA Today: ""In The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work, Danish-born consultant Norgaard shows how these brilliant tales...illustrate truths about how people work....Readers will discover a quiet power in this book.""

The Business Ledger: ""I love this book!!...Anyone can benefit from reading this book."""

Review

"""The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work by Mette Norgaard is full of great wisdom for the workplace. It also enchants the heart."" -- Ken Blanchard, coauthor, The One Minute Manager (R) and Customer Mania

""I don’t like this book…I love it. My Danish parents had me cut my teeth on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tales. Now Mette Norgaard illuminates Hans Christian Andersen’s wisdom, brilliance, humor, and insights so eloquently that this is a great book that you will read, re-read, and share with those that you love and with whom you work."" -- Mark Victor Hansen, cocreator, #1 New York Times bestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul (R), coauthor, The One Minute Millionaire

""As a child of Scandinavian heritage, the rich fables of Hans Christian Andersen were often read to me in the hope that some of the wisdom would be absorbed. Today, as I live into my calling to bring life to work, the fingerprints of Andersen are ever present. It is exciting to see how Mette Norgaard has taken this Danish legacy and exposed the wise lessons in such a way that application to life at work is both clear and compelling. The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work is indeed a gift to those who seek to improve the quality of life at work."" -- Stephen Lundin, the Big Tuna Ph.D., author of the international bestselling books FISH!, FISH! Sticks, and FISH! for Life

""There is no more powerful tool for learning than stories. In this delightful book, Mette Norgaard teases out the wisdom of the tales of Hans Christian Andersen to enlighten our lives in and out of the workplace. I recommend it highly!"" -- William Ury, coauthor, Getting to Yes, and author, The Third Side"

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408710
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408711
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,422,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mette Norgaard, PhD, MBA, an expert on strategic leadership and learning, works with executives and their teams to design and deliver culture-specific learning solutions that advance their strategies. Clients have included Microsoft, Metro International, Campbell Soup Company, Pandora Jewelry, Finnish Broadcasting, and many others. She has also designed and participated in executive dialogues with thought leaders such as Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, Margaret Wheatley, and Ram Charan.

Client engagements have ranged from keynote presentations and multi-day workshops to two-year programs. Assignments have frequently involved developing high-potential leaders, increasing employee engagement and initiative, and strengthening executive team dynamics. Examples of the latter are the transition to a new president, the evolution from an entrepreneurial culture to a more professional one, and the merger of two leadership teams. Some solutions for executive teams were structured around quarterly huddles where the executives reflected on their behaviors over the previous three months and committed to improvements for the next quarter. Others have involved off-site sessions, each with a special focus. A few have been one-of-a-kind leadership experiences, such as a recent one-year leadership journey that took an executive team to Thailand for the reflective work, to South Africa for a leadership safari and the study of natural efficiencies, and to New York City for an exploration of the collision of cultures and ideas.

For individual leaders, Norgaard has also served as a sparring partner to develop their personal leadership models. This work was done in one-to-one coaching sessions, with New York City as their learning laboratory. Prior to starting her own practice, Norgaard worked with FranklinCovey Co. for ten years. As director of Principle-Centered Leadership Week, an executive retreat at Sundance, Utah, she taught executives from all over the world and from organizations such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson& Johnson, GE Capital, Estée Lauder, Harley-Davidson,Hard Rock Cafe, the U.S. Marine Corp, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Norgaard was also part of a small group of consultants who led large-scale change processes for Fortune 500 firms and the U.S. government. Norgaard is the author of the international best-seller The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work (Amacom, 2005), which has been translated into eight languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than just a business book..., May 27, 2005

By 

C. Nardini (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work: Wisdom for the Workplace from the Classic Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Hardcover)

I loved this book! This is not your ordinary business book. It is truly an original idea. Mette Norgaard uses the classic tales of H. C. Andersen, to deliver a deep message. This is a book that makes you think, reflect on yourself in your private and professional life. As I read it, I often felt as if the author was talking to me directly and it raised important questions in my mind.

I was actually surprise to realise that I had never read some of the H.C. Andersen tales before, at least not the full version. It was really enjoyable to read them. The historical information before each tale was also very interesting.

I strongly recommend it for anybody doing some soul searching at the moment.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re- Discovery Andersen, April 2, 2005

By 

Jean L. Minkel (New Windsor, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work: Wisdom for the Workplace from the Classic Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Hardcover)

I loved this book for lots of reasons, but the two top reasons were the two levels of discovery I enjoyed while reading. First was the discovery of a much more sophisticated Hans Christian Andersen (now I know should be referred to as H.C. Andersen). Secondly, was the self discovery in reading and interpreting the meanings of these great little stories.

Dr. Norgaard introduces us to the sophisticated H.C Andersen by presenting her translations - from her beloved native Danish - of the Andersen's stories, designed to be read to children with adult messages. One can thoroughly enjoy the book, just by reading these newly translated stories.

The greater discover comes, however when you treat yourself to read how skillfully Dr. Norgaard applies the lessons presented in a child's tale to provoke very adult thinking. Whether you agree with Dr. Norgaard's analysis or not, she will make you think. Not only will she make you think, you will push you to grow and challenge yourself to apply these wisdoms of presented in YOUR workplace. A challenge much easier said than actually done.

Give yourself a treat, remember your own story telling hour as a child and push yourself to grow to a more thoughtful person at work. Even better, share the book around the office and see how many "translations" can be provoked.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding your Inner Swan - AT WORK, March 9, 2005

By 

Beth Banks Cohn (Manalapan, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work: Wisdom for the Workplace from the Classic Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Hardcover)

Make no mistake, this is a business book. But unlike other business books in the same genre, Dr. Mette Norgaard takes the fairy tales of our youth and helps us learn lessons from these wonderful stories that we couldn't learn when we were younger. The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work does something most business books today don't - it gives you the time and space to think while bringing some wonderful stories back into our lives.

In my experience, most business books preach at you, and tell you "just do this" and everything will be all right. Dr. Norgaard, thankfully, does neither. Through the stories of Hans Christian Andersen she reminds us of things we probably knew, but forgot in our quest to keep our jobs, support ourselves and our families and make our way in the world. Through the simple yet powerful tales of HC Andersen, she shows us how some of the actions we take may not really be working for us, things like "playing it safe", or our quest to gain or keep our status. She also helps us rediscover ways to enjoy who we are and become who we wish to be.

As Dr. Norgaard states so eloquently in her discussion of the tale of the Ugly Duckling, "we do not succeed in life by having an enviable career; we succeed by finding where we belong and becoming the person we were meant to be." At the end of each chapter are questions to think about and questions to talk about with others. Questions like "What scatters your energy, what distracts you from your source of power, and what do you need to say "no" to?" from the tale of the Nightingale or "What voices do you need to leave behind? The judgmental voices of the duckyard or the sensible nagging of the hen?" from the Ugly Duckling, encourage deep thought, not about how to best plan a project or deal with an unreasonable boss, but deep thought about who we have become and if we are fulfilled by the life we have created at work.

In the process Dr. Norgaard encourages us to explore our world of work in ways we rarely take the time to pursue. By focusing on the individual, who I am, how I act, how I interpret things, The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work, encourages you find your "inner swan" and the peace and wisdom that goes with it. And who couldn't use more of that in our lives at work?