Making Work Work: A Leader's Guide to Creating an Extraordinary Organization

Over the years I have found that the most passionate "Reformers" are those who were once status quo and had a dramatic "change of heart" and perception. Leadership consultant and author Scott Hunter is a classic example of this kind of passion in "Making Work Work". Scott candidly begins the preface by outlining his personal leadership reformation beginning in 1977. The events of the next 26 years were the genesis of this fine book. Making Work Work is not revolutionary and does not introduce many new concepts or principles. What is does do is confirm many of the basic principles of the right kind of caring leadership which takes workers to a level of motivation and fulfillment that is so lacking today in the modern business world. The 19 chapters of the book discuss a dramatic change in thinking, attitude and actions that will result in creating an exceptional organization. Hunter begins by challenging the reader to document the "breakthroughs" they discover about themselves, and desire to achieve as a result of reading this book. He also asks the reader to consider that there is a continual self-generated conversation going on inside each of us. It is this ongoing conversation, and listening to it, that makes us what and who we are. This means that happiness, satisfaction and how we view the importance of others is a choice we can make by altering that conversation. Understanding the profound power of this conversation can change your life including your level of personal fulfillment, relationships, attitude toward work, approach to leadership and coaching of others. Chapter 14 is exceptionally interesting. Hunter discusses the need to "clean up the mess" that past mistakes have left behind. He provides four important steps to restore relationships and allow everyone to move forward. Moving forward allows us to move our inner conversation to the point where we can nurture a "partnership relationship" with others. This results in qualities which include a shared vision, inclusion, trust, mutual respect, open communication and compassion. Earlier in this review, I mentioned there are not many new concepts or principles in this book. What I found to be totally new and profound are a series of questions presented in Chapter 18 to help the reader align their vision and clarify what their business is really all about. This chapter alone is worth the "price of admission"! "Making Work Work" should be on your list of leadership books to read. Easy to read and written from a positive perspective, Scott Hunter's experience and insight has a lot to offer.

Mr. Hunter has indeed put together a book which is a "Leader's Guide to Creating an Extraordinary Organization." I knew I was in for a treat when, as is my custom, I flipped through this book before settling down to read it in earnest, and came across the statement that, "It's all a conversation," and if you randomly walked into most companies and ask the employees, 'What's the company's vision?' the most common answer will be 'to make money.' And if you ask them, 'To make money for whom?' the answer will likely be 'for the owners, of course.' " I wasn't mistaken. Hunter pulled it all together by first describing the existing model, explaining why it doesn't work, then giving us a new model to consider. In this small volume you will learn about the different listening styles which perpetuate the existing dysfunctional model we all tend to use. You will see how that model is surely not suited for our post-modern world. You will find a new model based on real relationship building. But perhaps the most refreshing thing for me was Hunter's unabashed statement that one is the source of what one sees. That is to say, there is no one truth, but rather only our perceptions. Hunter says it this way, "No, it's not the truth; it's only your truth! We don't describe the world we see-we see the world we describe!" Hunter's work is compelling, easily read, and straight to the point with real life examples and case studies. I might have found it a bit easier to follow if he had provided some hints on where to find some of the material that he referred back to from time-to-time. I didn't always remember the details when he referred me to a previous case, and it would have been helpful to have a hint, such as what chapter to go back to in order to refresh the details. But that is a small complaint considering all the good I got from reading the book. All in all, a fine piece of work and well worth your time to read. And follow through with the exercise at the end of chapter two, you will be surprised I bet.

This is a book written for everyone. The theme tends to focus on the work environment but the practical applications apply everywhere. "Making Work Work" introduces a complete system for recognizing, evaluating and reacting to very strong influences in our lives. Insights provided are based on Mr. Hunter's experiences and real life anecdotes are included that support the information. If you are searching for thought provoking material, in an easy to read format, that addresses fundamental truths about human nature, order this book. Thank you Mr Hunter!

This is a book written for everyone. The theme tends to focus on the work environment but the practical applications apply everywhere. "Making Work Work" introduces a complete system for recognizing, evaluating and reacting to very strong influences in our lives. Insights provided are based on Mr. Hunter's experiences and real life anecdotes are included that support the information. If you are searching for thought provoking material, in an easy to read format, that addresses fundamental truths about human nature, order this book. Thank you Mr Hunter!