Leadership And Self Deception By The Arbinger Institute

As my selection, I read Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute. Although I was at first reluctant to invest my time in what I predicted would be just another self-help book to end up read, but not applied, and then later in a used bookstore, I did hold back the hope that the subtitle which read, "Getting Out of the Box", might help me to be somewhat more outgoing, even if I didn 't acquire excellent leadership right from separating the first few pages.

As I began to read, I was, at the very least, content that information in the book was laid over the skeleton of a narrative, communicating its message in a much more entertaining way. Together, the chapters tell of a fictional newly-hired, promotion-hopeful executive named Tom at a company called Zagrum, and his own process to begin acceptance of the revolutionary philosophy at his new workplace. I will have to admit that as I advanced through the pages, as Bud (with occasional help from the CEO, Kate, and others) explained to Tom all the workings of these ideas, I sometimes agreed completely with his initial skepticism, while at other times, thought that perhaps these concepts applied very well to him with his aggressive, toxic management style, but not so much to me and my chronic problem for avoidance. Sticking with the entire book, however, resolved many of my concerns.

My initial objection to the ideas in this book occurred when Bud related to Tom the story of when he initially realized he was in the box of self-deception. After arriving at Zagrum and receiving a list of tasks, he worked long and hard to complete them, but then decided that he deserved a rest and left the final undone. I disagreed with this due to what I perceived as an attitude of complete ...

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...m to be blameworthy," (98). Instead, in order to elicit the response which would truly lead to the ideal situation, we must make ourselves responsible and see others for what they truly are, other human beings, who, despite all of their flaws and weaknesses, likely hope and strive for a positive outcome, as do we.

Upon finishing this book, one must agree that the majority of its principles can and should be readily applied in various aspects of life. Through inclusion of and improved ability to utilize these in our lives, we will likely be happier and more capable of both following and leading whenever necessary. Even if we may not be able to accept immediately everything presented therein, such as that behavior plays no real role in our interpersonal success, with the compassion recommended in these pages, things will surely improve both in a career and in a family.