These books all contribute to the success of The Illumination Project organization’s work. Our efforts are based on solid theories AND effective application of those theories.
Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems
Barry Johnson
H R D Press
Paperback—288 pages (1997)/ ISBN-10:0874251761
This is the first book published on Polarity Thinking, an approach created by Barry Johnson in 1994. Consider it the bible for all things polarity.
Some complex problems simply do not have “solutions.” The key to being an effective leader is being able to recognize and manage such problems. Polarity Management presents a unique model and set of principles that will challenge you to look at situations in new ways. Also included are exercises to strengthen your skills, and case studies to help you begin applying the model to your own unsolvable problems.
Power Surge: A Conduit for Enlightened Leadership
Margaret Seidler
H R D Press
Paperback—103 pages (2008)/ ISBN-10: 1599961628
Learn about the dangers when leaders don’t recognize or ignore polarities. This book makes a powerful argument for paying attention to both/and thinking.
In a story about an electric utility six days before a monster hurricane makes a direct hit, we witness what leaders experience when they are unable to see both points of view. It can be disastrous for the leaders, the employees, and their community.
Real Time Strategic Change: How to Involve an Entire Organization in Fast and Far-Reaching Change
Robert W. Jacobs
An Executive Book Club Selection
Over 25,000 sold
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (www.bkconnection.com)
Hard cover—335 pages (1994)/ISBN: 1-88105-245-1
Paperback—335 pages (1997)/ISBN: 1-57675-030-2
This is the first book on Real Time Strategic Change. It has all the tools, techniques, agendas, and to do’s you’ll need to plan and lead your own RTSC event.
There are also stories about how Marriott Hotels, Ford Motor Company, Kaiser Permanente, First Nationwide Bank, United Airlines, and others have used RTSC.
“Ford was the first company to use the approach described in this book. It made a difference during an important time in the life of the company, when we needed to move fast and get people connected to each other and our new strategic direction.”
– Donald Petersen, retired Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Company
Collaborating for Change: Real Time Strategic Change
Robert W. Jacobs and Frank McKeown
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (www.bkconnection.com)
Booklet—43 pages (1999)
ISBN: 1-58376-047-4
A chapter from The Change Handbook on how RTSC has evolved.
- Introduces the six principles underlying all RTSC work
- Describes who needs to do what during the three phases of RTSC work
- Includes case studies of RTSC efforts in Mobil’s Gulf of Mexico operations and Sedgwick County, Kansas
“An important ‘roadmap’ to achieving major change in large organizations. An opportunity to drive strategic changes faster and more effectively.”
— John Devine, Chairman, First Nationwide Bank
You Don’t Have To Do It Alone: How to Get Things Done by Involving Others
Richard H. Axelrod, Emily M. Axelrod, Julie Beedon and Robert W. Jacobs
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (www.bkconnection.com)
Soft cover — 168 pages (Oct. 2004/ISBN: 1-57675-278-X)
Ever have too much on your plate but didn’t want to ask for help because of the “hassle factor” of involving others?
With You Don’t Have to Do It Alone you’ll:
- Lighten your load,
- Finish faster, and
- Get the job done better
Follow the five steps in the book and you’ll have the right people doing good work together from the start to the finish of any project.
Whether you’re CEO of a major corporation, director of an inner-city hospital, or PTA volunteer raising money for after-school programs, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone is for you.
Described by The New York Times as “the complete blueprint for involving others” and “the best of the current crop of books on this topic”.
“This book is an excellent resource — use it!”
– Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager
The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems
(edited by Steve Cady, Peggy Holman, and Tom Devane) with Robert W. Jacobs and 30 other contributing authors Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (www.bkconnection.com) Paperback original— 732 pages (2007/ ISBN-13: 978-1576753798)
- Compares Real Time Strategic Change to 30 other methods to involve large groups in creating their collective future
- Includes new case study on how four New York City agencies, 300 funders, and thousands of providers agreed how to provide out of school care for 1.1 million
“The Out-of-School-Time project was critical. We had to get hundreds of stakeholders to agree on a mission, goals, and success criteria for how care was provided for children – many of whom were at risk of getting into trouble on the streets. RTSC helped us pull people with different agendas together for the common good.”
Mary McCormick, President, Fund for the City of New York