Synopses & Reviews
Offers managers, consultants, and employees alike a practical "starter kit" that reveals how to identify, manage, and gain value from the below-the surface activities in an organization. Drawing on his worldwide consulting, teaching, and research experience, Gerard Egan shows how to create opportunity and competitive advantage by learning how to manage shadow-side realities. He identifies five interactive categories of behavior that affect both productivity and quality of work life in today's organizations--covert culture, the idiosyncrasies of individuals, the interactions of the organization's social system, institutional politics, and the hidden organization--and details specific skills and strategies for mining economic value from each one.Harness the covert aspects of your organization -- covert culture, individual idiosyncrasies, institutional politics -- for competitive advantage. World-renown consultant, teacher and researcher Gerard Egan identifies five "shadow side" work behaviors, and details specifics for mining the economic value of each.
Review
"Gerry Egan's focus on the shadow side of any organization--the informal, implicit beliefs and practices that really distinguish one organization from anotheris a valuable insight for anyone who is serious about fundamental change." --Liam Strong, CEO, Sears, PLC
"This comprehensive work puts in perspective the tremAndous economic benefit that managers can add to their organizations by not only recognizing the effect of the shadow side, but managing it well. Egan addresses these subjects in a clear, comprehensive, and common-sense manner." --William D. Ford, president, Amoco Oil Company
Synopsis
This practical "starter kit" shows how to identify, manage, and benefit from the activities that happen below the surface of an organization. It is valuable reading for managers, consultants, and employees alike.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-270) and index.
About the Author
GERARD EGAN is professor of organization studies and psychology at Loyola University of Chicago. He consults to a variety of organizations worldwide including The World Bank, British Airways, and Amoco Corporation and is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling The Skilled Helper (4th edition, 1990).
Table of Contents
What Goes On in the Shadows.
1. What Is the Shadow Side?.
2. Bringing Issues Out of the Shadows.
Mining Value from the Shadow Side.
3. The Economics of the Shadow Side.
4. A Model for Managing the Shadow Side.
Revealing Your Organization's Hidden Culture.
5. The Pragmatics of Culture: The Largest and Most Controlling of the Systems.
6. Challenging and Changing an Entrenched Culture.
Managing the Shadow Side of People.
7. The Idiosyncrasies of Individuals: Shadow Side Behavior in the Workplace.
8. Managing the Shadow Side of Individuals.
9. Mining Value from Social Interactions.
Positive Political Skills at Work.
10. Organizational Politics: From Self-Interest to Institutional Enhancement.
11. A Model for Engaging in Positive Politics: "It Would Have Been a Piece of Cake".
Bringing It All Together.
12. The Hidden Organization.
13. Epilogue: Making Chaos Your Friend.