Working the Shadow Side: A Guide to Positive Behind-the-Scenes Management (Jossey-Bass Management) [Hardcover]

Gerard Egan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787900117 | ISBN-13: 978-0787900113 | Publication Date: October 4, 1994 | Edition: 1

Offers managers, consultants, and employees alike a practical starter kit that reveals how to identify, manage, and gain value from the below-the surface activities in an organization. Drawing on his worldwide consulting, teaching, and research experience, Gerard Egan shows how to create opportunity and competitive advantage by learning how to manage shadow-side realities. He identifies five interactive categories of behavior that affect both productivity and quality of work life in today's organizations--covert culture, the idiosyncrasies of individuals, the interactions of the organization's social system, institutional politics, and the hidden organization--and details specific skills and strategies for mining economic value from each one.

Harness the covert aspects of your organization -- covert culture, individual idiosyncrasies, institutional politics -- for competitive advantage. World-renown consultant, teacher and researcher Gerard Egan identifies five shadow side work behaviors, and details specifics for mining the economic value of each.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A Loyola University of Chicago professor of organization development and psychology, Egan argues persuasively that an organization's "hidden culture" can add to its value. The shadow side of the institution--the unspoken, unacknowledged, behind-the-scenes stuff--is usually assumed to be negative and to get in the way of organizational efficiency and effectiveness. But managers who can develop a set of strategies and day-to-day skills for handling the shadow side can bring on positive change in today's fast-paced business environment. The author explains and gives advise on what goes on in the shadows and how to mine value from the shadow side, illustrating how managers who gain the skills necessary to deal with the hidden culture and hehind-the-scenes events can reduce the negative financial implications and turn shadow-side realities into competitive advantages. Highly recommended for all levels of managers in today's organizations; scholars, consultants, and advanced students of business and organizational studies will also find it useful. Joseph Leonard

Review

"Gerry Egan's focus on the shadow side of any organization--the informal, implicit beliefs and practices that really distinguish one organization from anotheris a valuable insight for anyone who is serious about fundamental change." --Liam Strong, CEO, Sears, PLC

"This comprehensive work puts in perspective the tremAndous economic benefit that managers can add to their organizations by not only recognizing the effect of the shadow side, but managing it well. Egan addresses these subjects in a clear, comprehensive, and common-sense manner." --William D. Ford, president, Amoco Oil Company

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787900117
• ISBN-13: 978-0787900113
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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