Zenobia: The Curious Book of Business: A Tale of Triumph Over Yes-Men, Cynics, Hedgers, and Other Corporate Killjoys

A very well-written book. It is a short book that keeps you engossed from page one. It illustrates the most important requirements of success in business - vision, the spirit of adventure and taking risks supported by good strategy. The book also shows how risk-takers are ridiculed first and then admired, helped and followed later. The trust and respect they enjoy is well-earned and well-deserved. More importantly, they inpire change and teamwork in the workforce.

I've had the good fortune to hear Matt Emmens talk about the lessons he's learned as a leader in many companies and most recently as CEO of Shire Pharmaceuticals. He's distilled his wisdom & experience into a magical fable of what it is like to see business through new eyes, and how the traditions & emotions that harden some companies into places they never meant to be can be overcome by leadership that dares to try what is obvious & necessary, whatever resistance may stand in the way. It would be a great book to give to new hires to encourage them to tell the truth about what they see to management. It is an equally great book for senior leaders to think about what they would need to cultivate "beginner's mind" in what they do, and as a result to lead better and more fully. Beautifully illustrated, lovingly written & a pleasure on the whole.

Zenobia serves as a wonderful metaphor for the state of a lot of corporations, and demonstrates how perseverance and pluck can combine to enable one to overcome many of the common corporate struggles. Moira, new to Zenobia, must navigate her way through a quagmire of bureaucracy in her quest to find Room 133A. Along the way, she encounters all manner of difficult people committed to standing in the way of her goal (not unlike normal daily life in many corporations). The tactics Moira uses to reach her goal are practical; the methods she uses to employ them are inspirational. Zenobia serves as a great reminder that regardless of how bad you might perceive your company to be, real leaders can emerge from anywhere within, and with the right attitude, can change things for the better. A great read!

This book should reside on everyone's shelf in the corporate world and is a stunningly illustrated fable in terms of how business can often become mired in "No's" instead of "Yes's" and how one brave woman overcomes and triumphs. Fantastic read.

The reviews are right on. This is a compelling and entertaining business fable. Most people will probably recognize a bit of themselves or their company in this book. Zenobia is a refreshing change from those books that look like a good idea but you can only stand to read the first two chapters. It's a quick read and an exciting tale, which makes it accessible to everyone. And the messages about taking risks and embracing change stick with you. Moira's tale is even more memorable because of the beautiful language and fabulous illustrations that accompany it. Getting to Room 133A was truly a welcome and worthwhile adventure!