Lessons from the Hive: The Buzz on Surviving and Thriving in an Ever-Changing Workplace

This book resonated with me strongly. The main character could have been myself, and it was a relief to understand that many emotions elicited in the business world are quite common. Furthermore, the author demonstrates that by understanding these feelings, we have the ability to be free of negative or self destructive reactions to them.

I think the publishers of this book should create a new dust jacket, change a few pages at the start of the book and take a run at the best seller list with this as a novel. It's really written that well. Meet Dana Carswell, an old timer with a twenty year old candle company, a teenaged son at home (I could say troubled relationship, but with a teenaged son that goes without saying), and starting out a Monday morning of what promises to be Hell Week. The company has just been bought out and the new president tells her they are thinking of going into the personal care business. "With beeswax," Dana answers. Dana is just one of the five different characters as they adjust to new jobs, unfamiliar products, perceived threats and unclear loyalties and the brash new CEO who wants to forge a new path to greatness. Every once in a while one of these little books comes along that while having a lot of fun while opening whole new trains of thought. Wonderful.

When a company or industry is in major flux, sometimes, as a manager, you may find that your toughest assignment is convincing your team to embrace the new way. Even you might not be certain the change makes sense. But you've got to get the word out. Sometimes a book comes along that says it for you... and serves the role of helping others see that they can either be the barriers or the leaders of necessary change. Lessons from the Hive is that book. Never preachy, filled with realistic human conflict...and a cast of characters that reflects us at our best and worst when the inevitability of change strikes. You'll breeze through it...but the characters and examples will stick with you for a long time.

It takes courage to survive in the workplace today. HIVE invites you to walk through the life of another team and see yourselves. It puts the sensitive subjects on the table, making them safe to discuss. It helped us focus on what we could do together during this time of transition for our company. The discussion questions are very helpful.

I loved virtually every chapter of this book. Just when you think it's going to be a "feel better" book that's totally unreflective of business realities as we know them, the author pulls a pleasant surprise. For those who think they've "got a ping" on business change, you might want to check this book out. I think everyone will find something of use here.