Nonfiction Book Reviews

Page Two of Two

Radical Collaboration : Five Essential Skills to Overcome Defensiveness and Build Successful Relationships by James W. Tamm and Ronald J. Luyet

HarperBusiness, December, 2004
Hardcover, 336 pages
ISBN: 006074250X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

If you want to be able to succeed in the workplace it goes without saying that you will need to work hard, stay focused and learn as much as you can about your business and industry. Although many people focus and excel in these areas, many overlook something that can undermine all their efforts: relationship skills. There are skills involved in building and maintaining relationships both at home and in business. Radical Collaboration instructs people on what they need to do build relationships centered around a theory of human relationships called Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO). The methods used in the book are based on research that has proven results and greatly reduced conflict at major businesses and organizations. The book is very useful for individuals because it provides constructive ways for people to learn not to be defensive, a trait that can destroy potentially beneficial relationships and careers. For example, simply understanding when one is being defensive (a condition the book calls the red zone) can help you to become a better communicator and a more likeable person. The book instructs readers on how to recognize when they have entered the red zone and how to manage their behavior so that they stay in a green zone -- an authentic, nondefensive presence open to beneficial collaboration with others. Readers also receive a free relationship profile from the radicalcollaboration.com website. People with manager and supervisor roles should definitely give Radical Collaboration a look -- as should those who aspire to hold management positions. Highly recommended.

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The Success Principles by Jack Canfield with Janet Switzer

HarperCollins, January, 2005
Hardcover, 473 pages
ISBN: 0060594888
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Who hasn't heard of Chicken Soup for the Soul and the seemingly endless variations thereof? Jack Canfield, along with Mark Victor Hansen, is the guy that created that bestselling series of books. Now Canfield has decided to share his success principles with the public. And you know what? He does a great job. Canfield presents 64 success principles that he says always work if you follow them. Some of the principles relate to how you see the world, some help re-shape your ways of thinking, some help you banish self-defeating habits, beliefs and fears. He goes beyond personal goals, and discusses techniques to help the reader create good relationships at the office and how to operate in a team setting.

Canfield has a friendly, clear and concise writing style. He builds on such classics as Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich and adds his own insights and advice. This is a practical, helpful work which requires readers to work hard. But for those who are willing to do the work, Canfield will provide the road map to success. And who can't use one of those?

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Nonfiction Book Reviews
Page One | Page Two

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