Organizations Books

Regardless of what your research needs are, this books could be called "research for dummies" in its excellent and easy-to-follow explanations. Buy this book, even if your required text is something else - It's filled with examples and can be read like an adventure novel in bed WHILE being truly comprehended! I've taken statistics, research classes, etc. - I wished I had read this book along with my first class! There's nothing dry about this and 1000 words are too few to praise it adequately!

One can read the pictures of a book to define the logic or knowledge in it. How? Look at the many different views. What scans through ones mind? The past. It did mine. Fifty dollars is just the beginning of an adventures enterance into the unknown. Have a great day! Norma

Having previously purchased a required research textbook that was written in a truly "mind-numbing" fashion, I went online to find a supplemental text. I was looking for something to help me develop some background knowledge in order to better understand my assigned readings. I consider myself very lucky for having found "Exploring Research". The writing style is very straightforward. I was easily able to read the textbook within a few days, and this made understanding the assigned readings in my course textbook much easier to do.

Easy to understand charts are used to illustrate points and organize the information. Practical resources are given to assist in developing a Literature Review. Rather than simply telling the reader to read a research study "critically", the author provides a list of specific questions an introductory student can ask themselves for each section of a report being read. As a supplemental text for the beginning student, this book is a wonderful resource for making sense of the basic research concepts.

Chapters include:
The Role and Importance of Research
The Research Process: Coming to Terms
Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research
Sampling and Generalizability
Measurement, Reliability, and Validity
Methods of Measuring Behavior
Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics
Introducing Inferential Statistics
Nonexperimental Research: Descriptive and Correlational Methods
Nonexperimental Research: Qualitative Methods
Pre- and True Experimental Research Methods
Quasi-Experimental Research: A Close Cousin to Experimental
Research
Writing a Research Proposal
Writing a Research Manuscript

Books on nonprofits often tend to be academic and not very useful for us in the trenches. This book is different - it clarified for me why getting things done is so difficult. There are so many doable nuggets, but the one that really hit home was the "vested volunteer elephant." I can't wait to put these ideas into practice!

This is one of those rare informational books that is written in a style that makes it enjoyable to read. I'm already finding myself quoting elephant quips at various non-profit functions and committe meetings.
It is also well organized with exhibits and examples that are easily accessed. Every non-profit CEO and board member needs to read this book. It will certainly stay on my bookshelf as a ready reference for tools and solutions.

I'm not sure elephants had to be part of this critical nonprofit management book, but it works ok I guess. I probably would have liked the book better if the author had used some other "convention" to make her book memorable. I think the book is definitely worth a read by members of nonprofit boards and possibly executive directors (CEOs) of nonprofits. I say probably with regard to CEOs because any CEO who knows anything about his or her job already knows everything that is written between the covers of this book.

When I read the front and back cover materials of the book it became apparent quickly that the author is a new management consultant to not-for-profits and this book is her professional "credibility piece" so she can charge a reasonable (if not handsome) consulting fee for her services. I smile when I write this because after reading the book I doubt anyone who can comprehend the book will need to hire the author since the book is very well written.

According to the author nonprofit organizations that are poorly managed suffer from five fundamental obstacles:

1. An unclear vision and mission
2. A detached board - one that does not relate to the organization
3. An incompetent board - one that fails to develop policy and strategy
4. Incompetent CEO, staff, and volunteers - performance is not demanded
5. Too much people-pleasing and not enough "get the job done"

I don't know whether the nonprofit sector is as bad off as the author suggests. My hunch is that it is, but I don't have the evidence to back up what I believe. I think that the author took a bold step by being as negative as she was about the nonprofit sector without providing more statistical data to support where she was coming from in making the general statements that she makes. She could have written the book to say that if a nonprofit suffers from the five obstacles mentioned above, THEN certain steps that she describes could be taken. But she did not write the book that way.

All in all, this is a great book and one that nonprofit management teams (boards and their CEOs) should read and use to improve the way they do their work. Major gift givers should probably read the book as well so they can better evaluate a nonprofit that is seeking a gift from them. 5 stars!

I read this book when it was written several years ago. The book has staying power. I find that I have adopted the concepts from complexity science as a framework for my organization development work. I think in terms of the simple, yet powerful, metaphor of breadmaking when consulting and facilitating.

This is an interesting book about an approach to managing and changing organizations, which is quite different from traditional change approaches: complexity theory. You might think: "Ah, here we go again.... Is this just the next new management hype, destined to be forgotten soon?" I don't think so. I think complexity theory is to be taken a bit more serious than that. What is it? It is a rapidly developing theoretical framework that describes and explains fundamental processes of complex adaptive systems, like organizations. What is a complex adaptive system? The authors of this book, Edwin Olson and Glenda Eoyang, explain that in a complex adaptive system, a multitude of different players (called agents) held together by some cohesive force (called a container) and constantly interacting with each other in all kinds of ways (these interactions are called transforming exchanges).

The self-organizing nature of human interactions in a complex organization leads to surprising effects. Small actions, events and interactions can lead to dramatic outcomes affecting the whole system. Human interactions in complex systems lead to so-called emergent properties, which are features of the system that the separate parts do not have. (For example, brain cells don't have consciousness, but the human brain does). All of this explains why it is often impossible to understand let alone predict or control events and developments. This is a rather big departure from the traditional view, which tends to see organizations as understandable, predictable and ... controllable!

Then how exactly is the complexity theory approach to change management different from the traditional approach? Ed Olson and Glenda Eoyang summarize the main features of the CAS approach to change as follows: 1) Achieve change through connections between agents (instead of trying to control the change top-down), 2) Adapt to uncertainty (instead of trying to use predictable stages of development), 3) Allow goals, plans, and structures to emerge (instead of depending on clear and detailed plans or goals), 4) Amplify and value difference (instead of always directly focusing on consensus), 5) Create self-similarity (instead of difference between levels), 6) Regard success as a matter of fit with the environment (instead of focusing on one dimensional success measures).

It's hard to accurately summarize in a few words what's in this book. So, if you're organizational development consultant, perhaps you'd better read it yourself. What you will find is that the book is a nice mix of theory, case descriptions and practical tools which (some of which are very nice and handy). I think this is the first book that makes complexity theory so practical.

This is the best practical guide in existence for using Complexity to transform an organization. The authors give valuable tools and techniques for concrete processes which promote Complexity transformation, along with examples of real business situations where the tools have worked. Especially valuable for those who have a background in organization development. Highly recommended.

Agressively researched, beautifully written, and wisely presented, this is one of the best books of any kind I've ever read. History, particularly history of such a narrow scope, has seldom been presented in such a moving pageant. It is also fair, treating Native Americans and blacks, Catholics and Protestants with equal fairness and compassion. A truly great work.

I think there should be one of these for every state - a history book of how a state ends up with its religious mix. Luckily, I live in Tennessee and have this little gem of a book to reference. The authors present historic regional tidbits that elementary textbooks often leave out (all properly footnoted and indexed.) But the book doesn't get so far into religion as to forget history by sketching the role of the Indians, the wars and other key political events. And it doesn't get so far into Tennessee history as to overlook what's going on spiritually in the rest of the nation by including the likes of Wesley and Whitefield.

This is a state side version of Marshall's epic "The Light and the Glory." It's a quick read but perhaps goes too quickly through coverage of the last few decades leaving the reader wanting more (perhaps a sequel). Overall, a must read for the history buff and teacher or those wanting to spiritually map the state they're in.

This book is an inspiring account of the history of religion in Tennessee. Chapters like "Paths of Hope, Trails of Tragedy," will help the reader to understand the passions that forged a land---the passion of what people believed that drove them to make the history that is written about in this book. I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone with interest in Tennessee, but also for those from anywhere who love to see how history can be shaped from what people will live and die for.

The two hardest things about family worship are getting started and getting started. On the one hand I had a desire to lead my family in studying God's Word and helping us all to store it up in our hearts, but it is difficult with busy and erratic schedules to know when to do it. Combine that with the fact that there is very little precedent for actually leading it or knowing how to lead it and you have a recipe for never getting going. I knew that it was something that needed to be done so I set a date when we would get started and then began my hunt for resources that would help me know exactly what I should do in leading this time. I did a bit of research and found this book. After taking a look and reading some reviews I decided to order it, and am I glad that I did.

This book is a great resource for anyone wishing to start family worship or for anyone who is already leading but feels that there could be more to it. The book gives a good introduction to the what and why of family worship (which I, frankly, skimmed since I didn't need any convincing). The author then dives into the meat of the book; how to lead and what this time should consist of. The book includes several hymns and selections from the psalter (sans music, although it does give suggested tunes for all the songs). There are also several other resources including creeds and confession, suggested Bible reading timelines, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, articles on prayer and many other great resources for leading worship. I have found this book to be truly indispensable as we have begun this endeavor.

If you are a Christian and you have children, you should be doing daily family devotions. If you are a Christian father, you should be leading your family in daily worship. However, many people don't know how to begin to do it. We bought this book to help us and it has been very helpful. We practice family worship every night of the week and this resource has been invaluable in keeping our children involved and interested. The results we have seen are awesome. Our girls are learning the Bible, Christian doctrine, the creeds, and are practicing to sit through Church and participate in the service instead of squirming all over because they are bored. Plus, they are learning the daily pattern of walking with Christ, which is more valuable than anything you could give your children. I highly recommend this to Christian parents. Start worshipping together as a family, this book can help you get started.

My wife bought me this book, and I couldn't have picked a better book for our entire family. Terry L. Johnson does a wonderful job of giving the case for family worship and then gives practical advice on how to perform it. The most important advice that he gives is, "Just do it." He includes numerous resources in planning daily worship times with your family from the "Call to Worship" to the "Benediction." It includes hymns and the complete psalter, but if you do not know music (like my wife and me), then you might want to buy a CD that has the music. It also includes a Bible Reading Record and Memorization helps along with the Shorter Catechism and the Apostle's and Niceane Creeds for you and your children to memorize.

Family worship was very new to us, especially with very small children. We were struggling to find a resource that could help us in figuring out if we were "doing it right." The one thing that I realized most of all that doing it is much better than waiting to do it right. However, having this resource helps those of us that hate to step out without the safety net.

Catherine Odell has done a wonderful job telling the story of the life of Father Solanus Casey who was declared "venerable" in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. The story of his life as a Capuchin priest who served as a porter is so inspirational, reminding us all that no matter what our calling in life, there are many ways in which we can all serve God. Many people sought healing and counseling from him and this humble man was truly an instrument of God on this earth. Father Solanus tells us that we should not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about a modern day person who may very well become a canonized saint.

The story starts out rather slow and monotoneous, but before long you will find yourself completely emmerced in the psyche of this modern day saint. A touching story of one man's decision to say yes and to compleely surrender his life and his will to God's plan for his life. This humble man possessed those attributes that we all desire and seek, but somehow find elude us. This is a story of struggle, hope and the fullfillment of God's will in the very simple things of our lives. We are all drawn to this mindset and you will see the hunger and desire that we all have a hunger for by the unlikely attention that this man of God draws to himself without the desire to do so. If this beautiful story of real "life" brings a tear to your eye, you will have crossed that wonderful divide that seperates the spiritual from the secular, and you will in a very real sense find the hidden beauty of inner peace in the simple. I highly recommend this book for I believe it has set the roadmap for the true longing of the human spirit. The final words of Barney Casey are words that reverberate through the Centuries and words that should be readily on the tips of each of our tongues as we draw our last breath.

This is a truly inspirational story. It not only shares his story of becoming a Capuchin Monk, but also about his early life. It is an interesting story about a man that we can all relate to in some way. Something really different about him is that he is not some person from another country that we only heard about because of the news. He is from the USA, he lived and worked in Detroit as a Porter and a priest. This is a wonderful story that everyone should read.

It is most surprising to me that a book which has been on the market for such a length of time has yet to receive a review in this location. When one of the Church's premier theologians writes as profoundly as this concerning a source of great confusion among Catholics today, we should surely pay attention.

Cardinal Ratzinger returns us to something that is very basic where the Mass is concerned. It is first and foremost a sacrifice which expresses a reality with which Catholics are required to come to grips for as the Cardinal, himself says, "Its price was the death of Christ himself."

If there is confusion in the Eucharistic Liturgy today, and I believe that the now "famous poll" bears this out, then this little tome is the perfect antidote to begin to set things aright. The author combines theological expertise and a profound depth of spirituality before which one can only stand in awe.

This should be madatory reading for every liturgist and musician in the Church today.

As a preview to Spirit of the Ligurgy, this text opens up the mind of the current Holy Father to the reader in regards to his understanding of the liturgy and Catholic theology. Originally written in 1981, this book brings out the indepth knowledge and love for the ligurgy held by then Cardinal Ratzinger. Easy reading for anyone interested in the topics of Catholic Liturgy and theology.

As always, Ratzinger addresses his subject with depth and clarity, striving after the truth. Due to the weight of the issue at hand, some of his comments are indeed reactionary. However, he is not attempting to expound a view which he feels is his personally but is, instead, the true view of the Church on matters of the Eucharistic Liturgy.

With his moderate, scholarly temper, Ratzinger first aims to expose the weaknesses inherent in the modern conception of the Eucharist as an almost exclusively meal-oriented event. He stresses the place of the Last Supper with respect to the Liturgy and shows how it is related to the future development of the Church's understanding of the Eucharist. He emphasizes the fact that it is at its core, a sacrifice, united with the Cross and the Resurrection. Therefore, to understand the Eucharist as anything less than a sacrificial-meal in which the faithful come into communion with the Lamb of God is to undercut the entire Liturgy.

Beyond this, the text has a compilation of thought-provoking reflections on the Liturgy with respect to change and music, as well as considerations on the facing of the priest, his experiences and thoughts about the current celebration of Corpus Christi, and a homily addressed to the Bishop's Conference in Fulda.

I highly recommend this text as a short treatment on the Eucharistic Liturgy. It is by no means extensive but serves as an excellent set of reflections and considerations.

This book is very insightful and gives a lot of food for thought. I highly recommend it for anyone who is seeking a deeper, more obedient relationship with Christ for themselves and their church.

The five practices apply to your congregation, but they also apply without much difficulty to most businesses. This is a great good book ... written well with valuable specific examples. Pick it up! Books like this don't come along that often.

One of the most practical and inspiring resources I have found in many decades of church work. Beautifully & engagingly written.

After 6 years of college and 19 years as an engineer/project manager, I have read many books on leadership. Net: This is the best book on people & leadership I have ever read, and Hal Shook is a true American icon. I have worked with many leaders, some excellent and some right out of Dilbert. This book reminds me of the excellent leader, one who can create a win-win scenario for both employees AND customers. The leaders and companies who implement the Flying Spirit formula will have employees delighted to come to work. This is a MUST READ.

Flying Spirit is a very good book to add to one's portfolio of resources relating business performance to organizational dynamics. What leaders and managers often fail to recognize is the relationship between product and people. And that to achieve outstanding performance requires that business understand that goals and objectives are only achieved through people.

Another vital concept that Flying Spirit speaks to is the alignment of organizational and individual mission-values-players. In great organizations, there is an alignment of shared purpose. The real differentiation among companies is alignment, look at Southwest Airlines as a model for this.

Hal Shook takes these principles and shows how they worked for him in the military. Good story telling with a key component of execution, making it all happen.

This is a working book. For me highlighted, tabbed and underlined. Very readable. Flying Spirit is an excellent addition to ones "tool kit" for moving organizational leadership and management into the 21st century.

It takes a special outlook to draw lessons from life experience, and a rarer genius still to share the benefits of these lessons with other people. Hal Shook has done both by translating lessons learned in the air to those which can be applied on the ground. It shows you how to walk the talk of leadership where it matters most, in organizational life. Flying Spirit is a flight manual for the workplace, addressing critical issues from values and mission to alignment, problem solving, and team effort, demonstrating that organizations are made of, by, and for people. While the book claims to be a leader's guide to creating great organizations, the underlying message is empowerment of the individuals and teams that make up the organization.

A common complaint of job seekers and leaders alike is that you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. Experience is the said to be a poor teacher, because it gives the test before the lesson. Flying Spirit gives you both at the same time, through vivid anecdotes from the author's experience, concise questions to focus your thinking, useful reference charts, and interactive exercises that translate ideas into action.

After reading this book it will never be so easy to blame the boss or the system, because it shows how adversarial thinking works against everyone. The challenge will be how to apply it where you work, even if it means having to change the place that you work. Wherever you work, this book will show you how to get more out of your work than just a paycheck.

I first met Hal & Marilyn Shook over 20 years ago, attending their course in Career and Life Planning, which they still offer through their company, Life Management Services. The emphasis of the course at that time was individual job search and career development, and I remember thinking at the time that this course empowered individuals to use the same tools of creative strategic planning that organizations used. In Flying Spirit it is as if the tools of career and life planning have been boldly reapplied at the organizational level, so that everyone wins.

An organization imbued with Flying Spirit will have no problem attracting good people. I would like to see individuals encouraged to expect this kind of approach from the organizations they work for. Some things are worth driving a hard bargain for, and this book shows why.

The book is extremely well written. It is easy to understand and retain. There are plenty of diagrams and graphs which complement the text. It has explained very effectively tools like the focusing matrix, the complete kit concept, and Pareto analysis. It has desribed very well the theroy of constraints and other methods. I would highly recommend the book for anyone interested in Operations Management, Managers working in Health care and students of management.

This makes the ability to manage complex systems achievable by everyday managers. These clear, concise, direct answers to complex questions will undoubtedly increase my coorporations bottom line by 10-20%.

In clear, non-technical language, Ronen and Pliskin describe a wide variety of practical operational and strategic problem-solving approaches. Lots of brief examples make the approaches concrete and illustrate their practicality. Though the techniques appear simple (which is really a tribute to the authors), the type of thinking they motivate is quite deep, and the actions they inspire will add value to any organization.