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Above the Line
Book

Above the Line

How to Create a Company Culture That Engages Employees, Delights Customers and Delivers Results

Wiley, 2014 Mehr


Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Culture drives everything, and it evolves naturally, but doesn’t have to be random. You can shape your organization’s culture deliberately with the process of “culturing,” and then tend to it carefully. Many leaders ignore culture’s power and instead post meaningless mission statements or issue platitudes about values. Michael Henderson, a corporate anthropologist, applies his considerable experience within organizations to the question of culture. He describes levels of cultures from “dead” and “dying” to “successful” and imbued with excellence. He shows readers how to identify these levels and how to help their organizational culture evolve. Henderson’s guide contains many nuggets of wisdom and excellent advice, though the read can be slow and some sweeping statements would benefit from additional sourcing. getAbstract recommends Henderson’s insight and guidance to leaders across all industries and to all sizes and kinds of companies, including nonprofits.

Take-Aways

  • Culture lies at the root and center of work and life.
  • Think culture first, second and third. Only then turn to strategy.
  • To lead in your market, emphasize one of three strategies: price, service or product.

About the Author

Cultural anthropologist Michael Henderson studies corporate cultures just as social scientists study tribal cultures. Henderson has written several books about this specialty.


Comment on this summary or Diskussion beginnen

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    T. G. 9 years ago
    On my door in my office is a sign that states "ABOVE THE LINE"-we are branding above the line culture and have been doing so for many years. It does promote better leaders, a better environment and a better culture.
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    M. S. 9 years ago
    Summary reminds me that I need to ensure I am hiring the right people for the mission of my organization and department..... I like how the author describes each culture and see elements of each in places I have worked.
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    A. M. 9 years ago
    Sometimes we forget how important cutlure is to achieving our goals. In order for an organization to be successful, it needs to insure that its culture is aligned with its strategy. This summary gives good ideas on how to ensure that happens.

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