Leading Outside the Lines

I happened to read this article by Jon Katzenbach and Zia Khan, which talks about driving growth and change in an organization effectively. The article talks about the formal and the informal organizations and the significance they have in effective execution of strategy.

Most organizations have a very well defined “Formal” side with Org charts, Process flows, metrics, targets etc. Whereas the Informal side, which typically comprises of informal groups, cultures, emotions, expectations are most often not driven by a formal strategy. The article mentions the need for both the Formal and Informal organizations to coexist and be in Sync in order to be able to engage effectively with employees and establish a relationship or a connect that goes beyond “numbers” or “targets”. It takes the case of Ed Carolan, a Senior VP at Stockpot, and explains how he turns around a rather sluggish “Soups” business to a vibrant, rapidly growing business through the period of the 2008-2009 financial downturn.

It is interesting to note how Ed and team combine the Rational and human sides of business to come up with clear simple goals that strike a resonance with their employees.

Given the tremendous pressures most businesses have witnessed in the last year or so, and the resulting imperatives of meeting new targets and expectations, the article comes as a timely reminder to senior management to take a step back and ensure that they get the right balance of the Formal and Informal sides in their organizations. It could just be the difference between making or breaking your business in these tough times.

The Chamber

Adam Hall, a young lawyer with a brilliant career in a top law firm. But he decides to take up a case,risking his career for a death row inmate Sam Cayhall. The story weaves around both these men and the mysterious background they share. May not be as gripping as some of his other books as the book thrives on the emotional backdrop as much as the suspense.

The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

Well this one is a more recent read..

The book promises a lot as you start off, and draws your complete attention by the time you are through with the first few pages. The protagonist Robert Langdon, of the Da vinci Code/Angels and Demons fame continues unravelling mysteries of the ancient world.

This time its about the secrets of the ancient wisdom held within the highest order of a secret group called the freemasons. The book builds a convincing story around the various old buildings in Washington DC and the secrets they seemingly point to. The book mentions various buildings such as the Smithsonian Institude, the Washington Monument, the Washington Mall etc.

The book raises some interestign questions. It certainly gives you some interesting interpretations on stuff that we have always wondered about and never really understood.

However as your expectations begin to rise, you begin to realize that the author is dealing with a fairly thin plot and that there is very little he has to play with. And the book confirms your growing suspicion with a weak ending. You expect a Big Bang and get a small flutter.

But if you believe the journey is more important than the destination. It may be worth a read. :)

Marley and Me - John Grogan

Well.. its been a while and its not that I stopped reading entirely, but reading has certainly taken a back seat in the last couple of years.

So I did read this book before the movie came out, and let it suffice to say that the movie hardly did any justice to the book as is usually the case.

So for those of you who have seen the movie and have not read the book, please go get yourself a copy. And if you do love dogs, this is a book that should be in your mandatory reading list.

Marley and Me is an endearing story of a family and their lives with their dog "Marley". "Marley" as John describes him is a dysfunctional dog, totally untrainable and playful as hell.

Its an emotional, honest story that weaves its way to their lives, their ups and downs, and their journey through all this with their mad as hell dog.

Emotional moments intertwined with completely hilarious mad tales of Marley make this book a poignant unputdownable read.

This is not a library read. This is infact something you'd like to have in your bookshelf.