Book Review
written by Jack Falt
Appreciating Differences
Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada
Here is a book that is dedicated to
reviving organizations that are in trouble or helping the healthy ones keep
healthy. While this not an MBTIŽ book, the structure of the book is based on
Jung/Myers theory. The author uses the diagram of a compass to help visualize
the concepts. She begins by looking at the way the organization pays attention
to information. At the northern point of the compass is the Macro view that
looks at the big picture and the future of an organization. (This I presume is
Intuition.) At the southern point is the Micro view that looks at the detail
(Sensing). The other two points look at the way decisions are made. At the
western point is the Task, looking at production, outcome and results
(Thinking). Finally, at the eastern point are the People, as individuals and
their relationships (Feeling). This allows the book to be used with
organizations without ever discussing Jung/Myers theory at all.
The four dimensions create four quadrants that are each important to the
success of the organization: The Macro-Task (NT) is called Strategic Vision.
This is the organization's ability to define its purpose and to have the plans
to carry it out. The Micro-Task (ST) is called Resource Management. This focuses
on the product and services, and the specific details to create and provide
them. The Micro-People (SF) is called Customer Service and this looks at where
people come into contact with the organization. The fourth quadrant is
Macro-People (NF) called Membership Potential. It looks at individuals and the
total membership and how each can contribute to the organization.
If a company only focuses on one of these quadrants, it is likely to be out
of balance and will soon flounder. The next step is to go through the various
combinations to see how each pair of quadrants relates to the success of a
company. Since there are four quadrants, there are six possible combinations
(thus the 'six things that challenge'). These are described in detail with
anecdotes to show how they apply in actual situations.
The 'seven that bring success' is putting all this information together to analyze the situation to provide a direction that must be taken to bring about
change or to keep the company healthy.
I would see this book as one that could be used effectively with
organizations in that it uses familiar terms without the added confusion of
MBTIŽ jargon. It's attractive, inexpensive ,and yet short enough that it has more
chance of being read by busy managers and CEOs. It would be very useful for
consultants to have as a handout. Not being a consultant, I would assume that
usually they are called in for only a short while to help solve a practical
problem, and then they have to move on. This book outlines a useful structure to
follow to help diagnose the problem and to help the organization come up with a
solution.
Jack Falt's Home Page
Other Articles by Jack Falt
