Amazon.com Review
Change. It's fast, furious, relentless--and we're all in the midst of it. Indeed, it's the topic of choice for most business books on the market today. The problem, however, is that so many of these books merely warn managers how to plan for and anticipate change, rather than giving useful guidance on how to react to it successfully.
That's where the authors of The Minding Organization have made a difference. Rubinstein and Firstenberg believe that the real issue for businesses dealing with change lies in developing a truly adaptable organization. Being able to adapt, they argue, is the key not only to coping with a continuously changing environment but to addressing the problems that arise within that environment with innovative, successful solutions. An adaptable organization is a living, breathing organism, a "minding organization" that coordinates its goals and efforts as a single being. Each part of the organization knows what the other parts are doing, and is committed to creating a cohesive unit that maintains a unified focus for the future, shares information, articulates and learns from the individual errors of its members, continually seeks to strengthen its powers of perception, and is able to express itself creatively in a variety of ways. By developing this unity, an organization can bring the future closer to the present; it will be able to respond to events in real time, thereby transforming change from a threat to continued existence to a catalyst for improved performance. This type of organization won't shy away from the chaos of change but will embrace its opportunities, ready and well equipped to respond quickly and effectively.
The Minding Organization is a meaty book, packed with inspiring examples, solid analyses, and practical suggestions. Rubinstein, a professor at the UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Firstenberg, an adjunct professor in UCLA's Psychology Department, make a good team (they also wrote Patterns of Problem Solving). They apply theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the realities of the business world in a timely and useful manner. Forget being the CEO; this book will teach you how to be an OEC, an operator on the edge of chaos, capable of inspiring and leading a flexible, evolving, and thriving organization. --S. Ketchum
Review
"In this book you'll find out how to open up a world of opportunity by 'bringing the future to the present' - visualizing the ideal end state and working backwards. You'll see how many obstacles can be eliminated, making the unachievable achievable." -- Tom Williams, Vice President, Long Range Strike Business Area, Northrop Grumman Corporation
"Professor Rubinstein is one of the foremost experts on creativity within organizations. The Minding Organization is a well-written guide...[that] is must reading for anyone responsible for minding the organization." -- Norman R. Augustine, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Lockheed Martin
"Rubinstein is as ebullient in print as he is in person. The Minding Organization transcends time and theory, enabling the practice of innovation as an everyday occurrence." -- Stephan Argent, Creative Director, iCandy Inc.
"The authors make intuitive good sense and give strategic thinkers the tools they need to turn perceived liabilities - chaos, disorder, unpredictable change - into assets. I've made it must reading for everyone in my organization. The only people I haven't recommended it to are my competitors." -- Timothy W. Hannemann, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TRW
"This book gives an accessible view of the organization as a living, connected organism. Drs. Rubinstein and Firstenberg have shared an insightful and elegant concept of what successful twenty-first-century organizations MUST be like if they want to survive and grow. We are putting the ideas in this book to use now!" -- Michael E. Allgeier, Division Vice President, Sensors and Electronics Segment, Raytheon
See all Editorial Reviews
by Paul Kirkbride
by Richard Pettinger
by Moshe F. Rubinstein
Visit our huge selection of magazine subscriptions often to see the latest special offers and bonuses. Check out magazines like
The New Yorker,
Wired, and
Vanity Fair. 
