Lessons from the Sandbox: Using the 13 Gifts of Childhood to Rediscover the Keys to Business Success

This book shares inspiring lessons for people in all fields who are interested in rediscovering how to think out-of-the-box and to learn and live more completely. The real focus is on finding our sense of wonder, curiosity, and playfulness and putting them to work in our companies and organizations. The author does a simple but powerful job of presenting a set of talents we all had naturally as children and teaching us how to get them back after years of school and work have literally sucked them out of us. And, he gives clear and concrete examples of organizations that are tapping these talents successfully and great exercises to get leaders and employees at all levels started. This book has inspired me to be more creative in my job and in all other aspects of my life. This book really ROCKS! A definite winner!

This is a truly inspiring book on creativity. Thank God it is not a rehash of all the other books on bringing innovation into the work world. It doesn't offer insipid phrases like, "out-of-the-box thinking," or, "doing more with less." Nor does it contain those warn out "gimmicks" like the connect the nine dots with four straight lines routine. What it does offer, is wisdom -- our own!Dr. Gregerman's prose, metaphors, and humor inspires us to rediscover and apply our wisdom in creativity in solving our thorniest organizational challenges. He takes us through the minds and spirit of young children in helping us understand and remember how minds that are not encumbered by past experience forge new possibilities through imagination. As I was reading Lessons from the Sandbox, I was constantly reminded of the importance of (unencumbered) imagination, a critical rule for Albert Einstein. Einstein wrote, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination." In Dr. Gregerman's mind, adults have created "boxes" through the filters they have acquired through both experience and their current surroundings. Children are not encumbered with these filters, and thus we can learn from their outlook on how the world works. It has been said that children enter schools as question marks and wonder, and leave as periods and right answer machines. Lessons from the Sandbox clearly underscore this insight.Dr. Gregerman has organized his book using thirteen "gifts" of childhood to re-ignite the creative sprit for people in the business world. These lessons range from the gifts of focus, urgency, wonder, questioning, and participation. I have read many business books on creativity, and none have sparked my imagination as Lessons from the Sandbox. It has brought me laughter, recaptured the lessons I learned from my own childhood, and I have profited from the ideas I have already generated as a result of this gem of a book. - Bob Bookman, President, Team Productivity Programs, Inc.

Alan Gregerman has struck a forgotten place, way back in childhood, when we used to have a lot of fun with whatever we did. In his book, Lessons form the Sandbox, he reminds us of what is important in life and work; tapping into our least used resource, our creative mind. He also reminds us that, tragically, we begin to loose our creativity when we are very young, bombarded with structure and other peoples ideas of what is important, like following all the rules . What can companies learn from the heads of small children? Plenty! Lessons from the Sandbox is a wonderful ride through the new world of business and an absolute gold mine of fresh ideas and straightforward wisdom about what it takes to create a greater sense of energy and excitement for customers, employees, and partners. This is one of the few business books I've read that not only challenges you to use more of your brain, but delivers practical guidance for improving the performance of your people and your balance sheet. Pick any chapter and be prepared to laugh, smile, dream a little, and even re-live your own childhood. Then roll up your sleeves and get to work putting his great ideas to the test. Want to learn how to focus, come up with better ideas, asking the right questions, or be more enthusiastic? It's all here and impossible to put down.

This book takes a refreshing look at life, redefining the mundaneness of business-as-usual. Many of us have forgotten the power of imagination and curiosity we have as children. This book helps working adults use simplicity as a starting point in their own work. Not only is it okay to ask simple questions such as "how?" or "why?", but healthy. The overlap between parenthood and business inspires rejuvenating energy if we take the time to look at the gifts of childhood as Dr. Gregerman does.

Alan Gregerman has a wonderful way of reminding us of the valuable lessons we learned long ago. With clear words and poignant examples, he underscores how we can draw on our early hertage of wonder, enthusiasm, participation, and other traits to be more successful --- and happier --- in business and our personal lives. Lessons from the Sandbox is well worth the read.