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Adaptability
Book

Adaptability

The art of winning in an age of uncertainty

Kogan Page, 2012 más...


Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

Organizational success and failure can be reduced to one thing, or so argues management consultant Max McKeown in his scientific and cultural look at adaptability around the globe and through the ages. If groups can’t change and adapt appropriately, they can’t succeed. McKeown offers case studies from companies you know, such as Starbucks, providing insight into familiar story lines. Some of his other examples aren’t as famous but are just as compelling: He looks at civil war in Liberia, computer game development and Italian bureaucracy to flesh out his 17 rules (which would be just as good without those few swear words) for adapting and, thus, succeeding. McKeown’s rules are eye-catching, but they don’t always connect smoothly to the stories or to a plan of action. As such, some of the book works better as a history of adaptability than as a manual for acquiring that skill. Still, an eager reader can tease out techniques and ideas for becoming more adaptable, and McKeown offers warm, inspirational tales that provide general road maps for successful adaptation. getAbstract believes leaders of companies small or large looking to motivate their employees or themselves will find value here.

Take-Aways

  • Success in business and beyond requires adaptation in its many different forms.
  • Survival isn’t success; adapting to win requires trying a variety of approaches to your particular challenge.
  • To adapt well, you must follow three steps: See the need to adapt, determine the method to use, and make the adaptation in your actions and attitude.

About the Author

Management consultant and coach Max McKeown is a popular speaker and the author of The Strategy Book, Unshrink and The Truth About Innovation.


Comment on this summary or Comenzar discusión

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    D. C. 2 years ago
    excelente, muy buenos tips.
  • Avatar
    R. B. 6 years ago
    survivor bias
  • Avatar
    P. B. getAbstract 1 decade ago
    it is amazing what the brain can do. I always wonder what remains hidden, it's probably unimaginable.

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