Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/58916
"SILOS—AND THE TURF WARS THEY ENABLE—DEVASTATE ORGANIZATIONS." —Patrick Lencioni, Silos, Politics and Turf Wars of turning an idea into a billion-dol- lar business...are one in 20,000!" His book seeks to shorten the odds considerably. (Wiley, $27.95) Who better than Jeffrey Pfeffer to take on the sprawling industry of manage- ment advice books? In Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths & Total Nonsense, he and co- author Robert I. Sutton debate some of the widely held beliefs that fuel man- agement practices today, from "best organizations have the best people" to "change or die." True? Maybe not. Instead of jumping on current fads, executives need to rely on evidence- based management, which requires them to examine their own orga- nizations to determine what is and isn't working for them. This means setting aside cherished but unproven ideologies, no longer clinging to practices that worked before—or worked somewhere else—and not slavishly copying the strategies of another company that seems to be doing well. It also means not being dazzled by the latest gurus with big ideas. Pfeffer and Sutton name names and don't entirely exempt themselves: "Those of us who hawk business knowledge need to come clean. We need to deny that we have magic answers." Rife with examples, rich with commentary, this is a terrific book about every manager's struggle to improve. (Harvard Business School Press, $27.50) The ongoing debate about what constitutes a good leader gets an intriguing presenta- tion in Contemporary Issues in Leadership, edited by William E. Rosenbach and Robert L. Taylor. Included are essays from a veritable who's who of leadership experts: John Gardner, Warren Bennis, Dan- iel Goleman, Robert Goffee, Jim Collins, and many more. The contri- butions have been reprinted from a wide variety of sources and time periods—Gardner's is 40 years old—and showcase a diversity of approaches. "The differences in leader- ship research methodology and conclusions, as well as the absence of consensus on what leadership really is...are a reflection of the diversity of people, organizations, and cultures," the editors write. The final result is a thought-provoking book full of distilled wisdom. (West- view Press, $33) Academics are accustomed to speaking of "silos of discipline," and they fre- quently puzzle over how to offer a more integrated education. But silos exist in the business world, too, and can hamper effectiveness just as much. "Silos—and the turf wars they enable—devastate organi- zations," writes Patrick Lencioni in Silos, Politics and Turf Wars. "They waste resources, kill productivity, and jeopardize the achievement of goals." He presents an engross- ing fable of a young consultant who discovers how to help organizations tear down the walls between departments. One key is to have everyone pull together as if they are in crisis mode, fighting for survival. Another key is summing up the company's broad rea- son for being and putting it in writing. This requires developing an overarch- ing thematic goal, a set of defining objectives, a set of ongo- ing standard operating objectives, and the metrics to test them. When everyone in the organization under- stands the common goals, Lencioni believes, co-workers unite and silos disappear. (Jossey-Bass, $22.95) Quick Looks Sometimes recent graduates aren't prepared to handle tricky work situ- ations. What should they do if they discover their new product is defec- tive, if a co-worker gets drunk while meeting with clients, or if they're pressured to provide sexual favors for top executives? In Reality Sales, Ohio University professors Jane Z. Sojka and Dawn R. Deeter-Schmelz offer 21 role-playing situations that cover ethical dilemmas and uncom- fortable situations. Detailed teach- ing notes guide instructors through students' possible responses, the consequences of each action, and ongoing discussions. (Atomic Dog Publishing, $12.95) Inspirational speeches delivered at Brigham Young University form the heart of Business with Integrity. Busi- ness leaders and academicians offer their thoughts on living a life of pur- pose, faith, integrity, character, and good conscience. Heavily influenced by the school's Mormon outlook, the book offers one path through the tricky thicket of business—and life—today. (BYU Press, $20) ■ z BizEd MAY/JUNE 2006 59