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Copyright
2005 ã weLEAD, Inc.
Book Review
Making Work Work
A Leader’s Guide to Creating an Extraordinary Organization
Hunter Alliance Press - 2004 (222 pages in
paperback)
Author
Scott Hunter
ISBN 0-9745111-0-2
Over the years I have found that the most passionate “Reformers” are those
who were once status quo and had a dramatic “change of heart” and perception.
Leadership consultant and author Scott Hunter is a classic example of this kind
of passion in Making Work Work. Scott candidly begins the preface
by outlining his personal leadership reformation beginning in 1977. The events
of the next 26 years were the genesis of this fine book.
Making Work Work is not revolutionary and does not
introduce many new concepts or principles. What is does do is confirm many of
the basic principles of the right kind of caring leadership which takes
workers to a level of motivation and fulfillment that is so lacking today in
the modern business world. The 19 chapters of the book discuss a dramatic
change in thinking, attitude and actions that will result in creating an
exceptional organization. Hunter begins by challenging the reader to document
the “breakthroughs” they discover about themselves, and desire to achieve as a
result of reading this book. He also asks the reader to consider that there is
a continual self-generated conversation going on inside each of us. It
is this ongoing conversation, and listening to it, that makes us what
and who we are. This means that happiness, satisfaction and how we view the
importance of others is a choice we can make by altering that
conversation. Understanding the profound power of this conversation can change
your life including your level of personal fulfillment, relationships, attitude
toward work, approach to leadership and coaching of others.
Chapter 14 is exceptionally interesting. Hunter discusses the need to
“clean up the mess” that past mistakes have left behind. He provides four
important steps to restore relationships and allow everyone to move forward.
Moving forward allows us to move our inner conversation to the point where we
can nurture a partnership relationship with others. This results in
qualities which include a shared vision, inclusion, trust, mutual respect, open
communication and compassion. Earlier in this review, I mentioned there are not
many new concepts or principles in this book. What I found to be totally
new and profound are a series of questions presented in Chapter 18 to help the
reader align their vision and clarify what their business is really all
about. This chapter alone is worth the “price of admission”!
Making Work Work should be on your list of leadership
books to read. Easy to read and written from a positive perspective, Scott
Hunter’s experience and insight has a lot to offer.
weLEAD rating – highly recommended
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