The Performance Consultant's Fieldbook, Includes a Microsoft Word Diskette: Tools and Techniques for Improving Organizations and People [With *]

Judith Hale's book-title should not put off those who don't have the job-title "Performance Consultant". Anyone who is required to determine how performance can be improved--HR Development Professionals and Trainers, especially--will benefit from the tools and worksheets she shares.The last five chapters of the book detail her techniques and share some of her tools for determining the source(s) of performance problems, identifying interventions that will improve performance, and instruments to help measure the results of the improvement. Her book sits on my shelf within easy reach, and gets used often.

Judith Hale is a proven professional in the field of human performance consulting, and in this book she generously shares her depth of knowledge and experience. Most valuable, I think, she accurately portrays the potentially overwhelming complexity that is characteristic of effectiveness in (a) assessing human performance levels, (b) diagnosing prevailing barriers to higher levels of performance, and (c) designing and delivering "whole system" interventions that can achieve the desired improvements. She also speaks candidly about the crucial relationship and alchemy that must exist between consultant and (manager/executive) client.Judith has developed numerous tools and techniques to aid her in her own consulting work, and she presents many of them in this book in the context of her full and accurate perspective of effective human performance consulting in action. Even professionals that have been working in this field for years will find tools and techniques that can enhance their work.I have put this book to the test as a "tool for learning" and I works beautifully. As a 20-year veteran consultant in this field, with much of my current work focused on developing new candidates to do this important work, I have used Judith's book as required pre-reading and as a tool for facilitating workshop activities. It has become required reading for all serious learners, and a regular part of our development programs. I heartily give The Performance Consultant's Fieldbook "two thumbs up."