Since I’m on a real book kick today, let me tell you about one of my favorites on organizational change, leadership, and human behavior: Management of the Absurd by Richard Farson. My copy is yellowed from age, and the pages are dog-eared from repeated use. Farson’s paradoxes in leadership take the wind out of slick management fads and slogan-based leadership.
His prose is refreshing, useful, and timeless. Here are ten chapter titles from the book, which give you a sense of how Farson thinks.
Nothing is as invisible as the obvious
Once you find a management technique that works, give it up
The opposite of a profound truth is also true
Effective managers are not in control
We think we want creativity or change, but we really don’t
The more we communicate, the less we communicate
The better things are, the worse they feel
Planning is an ineffective way to bring about change
Morale is unrelated to productivity
My advice is don’t take my advice
If you haven’t had a chance to look at this small, but powerful, work, pick it up. You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks again to Jack and Todd for this chance to host their blog. Feel free to contact me at Michael@GuerrillaConsulting.com.