Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance

By Debbe Kennedy

Book Overview

Putting our differences to work means creating an environment where people, naturally unique and different, can work more effectively in ways that drive new levels of creativity, innovation, problem... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576754995
• ISBN13: 9781576754993
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Relevant

The author, Debbe Kennedy has written an excellent book in an area where modern industries and services need a tremendous amount of help. As a corporate director of human resources, I can attest to the strengths that an organization will acquire by following the edicts in this book. The book's goal is to create an environment and culture where naturally different people work together more effectively as they attain - and surpass - the organizational goals in leadership and performance. Debbe Kennedy shows how differences can mean much more than just the solidified categories such as race and sex. Her use of real-world examples of varying experiences and styles of management drive home the point that the area of diversity should never be shunned or viewed as a mere consequence but rather as the source of strength for future growth and excellence. In addition, I greatly appreciated the amount of research that went into this tome. This research lends an authorative tone to the work and makes it a compelling study in diversity. In today's age of hyper-blending of cultures, this book will be a great asset to those who approach the subject with an open mind and implement the ideas generated in this book. Diversity is the current situation and will grow by leaps and bounds as time progresses. For us to progress, we must learn to tap into this growing well of strength. Those who don't are sadly doomed to fail. I would also like to recommend Don't Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success and High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership). Both are excellent managerial material. I hope you find this review helpful. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR

Embrace the Differences in People to Become a Better Leader

I own the hardcover version of the book Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance, but the book came to life when I was able to actually read the book as a PDF E-book (available at the publisher www.berrettkoehler.com/podtw). I am completely blind and I was very happy to find that the PDF E-book was accessible and read well with my screen reader. I thoroughly enjoyed and found this book's fresh approach to leadership pioneering and inspiring. I love the true stories with key learning points from the many innovative leaders that are in this book. Debbe Kennedy truly knows the benefits of putting our differences to work and what it takes to be an effective leader. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to utilize and value the differences in their complete workforce and gain an edge on their competitors. If you are looking to be a better leader in your organization, citizen in your community or the world this book is for you. Being completely blind myself I truly embrace others who can see the value and extraordinary benefits of differences in people. Bill Tipton

A Book You Can Really Apply Starting Today....

Debbe Kennedy is one of those rare business book writers who "gets it." She understands that the true value of a business book is the degree to which the book can actually be applied. "Putting Our Differences to Work" is valuable precisely because it can be applied by organizations of any size, starting TODAY. Debbe uses a clear, welcoming writing style to communicate real-life stories of change agents across the for-profit and non-profit spectrum who have employed the principles outlined in this book not only to transform their organizations, but literally to change the world for the better. The good news, as Debbe shows us, is that whether you are an owner, C-level executive, manager or "rank and file" employee, we ALL have the resources necessary to transform our own organizations. That's because "diversity" goes beyond the traditional notions of gender, ethnicity and cultural diversity to include the myriad of as-yet untapped skills and talents of our co-workers, suppliers and customers. And these diverse talents, skills and resources are available to every one of us, every day. Debbe shows you how to identify and harness the power of these resources to transform your organization (or at least your piece of it). Read this book for the wealth of information it contains. More important, learn from this book and APPLY IT. Debbe shows you how. Follow her lead and you'll enjoy watching your organization - and the world - change for the better.

Connecting the right dots--right...

"Siemens chief says its managers are too German, white and male" by Richard Milne in London, Financial Times, USA, Wednesday June 25 2008, p.1, col.3. The article above is a report ready-made for "Putting Our Differences to Work," underscoring the pertinence of the subject matter of Debbe Kennedy's book: Siemens is not alone. However, this book goes beyond the trite "'Diversity' solution" parroted by many industrial leaders; in fact, in so many ways, it is not quite about diversity. Nor does the book apply to Industries and Businesses alone: from self-help / personal growth to family to management of Nations and States, there is use for, and value in, this book. And, do not expect the kind of pedantic presentation of material typically seen in Industrial and Business white papers, executive summaries, consulting reports and the sort. The story-telling style used for this type of material is entirely refreshing (especially coming from an author steeped, as it were, in the tradition of Business and Industry): it makes for easy reading and mass appeal. Often, one reads a book quite mindful of the title and generally oblivious of the subtitle: not this book. The title is married to the subtitle: keep this tight couple in mind in order to reap the most benefit from "Putting Our Differences to Work...the fastest way to innovation, leadership, and high performance." If there's only one book to read this year, make it "Putting Our Differences to Work..." You will be richer for that. Of course, considering what its chief is quoted as saying as above, Siemens could sure use the book, and there is Siemens everywhere! Oguchi Nkwocha, MD. California USA. June 25 2008

Finally somebody got it right

This is just a wonderful book. The topic of diversity is one fraught with land mines, but Debbe Kennedy has figured out a way to discuss the issue without stepping on any of them. She makes it clear, for the first time I think, that it's not just about skin color but about how people see things in different ways and how others can profit by looking from various angles. The stories in this book are particularly rich and should resonate with both managers and employees in every size company. But don't think it's just for the workplace; I think it can also be valuable for everyday interactions at home and in the community as well.