Will Barratt, Ph.D. Recommends
Read everything as literal and as metaphor, but don't get stuck in either way of reading. Some works were meant to be read literally, like legal documents, some were meant to be read both ways, like the Declaration of Independence, and some were written as metaphor, like Lao Tzu's Tao te Ching. My favorite books read well both ways. I am always suspect of books that read like High School texts, telling you what to do with a step by step list, and assuming that what works for one person will work for everyone.
Read:
Lao Tzu - The Tao te Ching. For most of us it stretches how we think about things. It makes a wonderful companion to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, highlighting cultural differences.
Suz Tzu - The Art of Strategy. This is a book on strategy and struggle. While written as an instruction book on war (and note that the first rule of war is to avoid war) a little thought can make this a handy reference guide for self improvement, program enhancement and planning.
Peter Senge - The Fifth Discipline. While many people have this book on the shelf, it is my experience that few have actually read it. Senge outlines specific techniques for analyzing complex systems so this should appeal to the systems thinker and to the detail thinker.
Everett Rogers - The Diffusion of Innovation. If you are interested in how change happens on the large scale, and the difference that individual difference play in the change process, then this is the book for you. Rogers explores how and why people adopt new ideas and practices so that you can learn how to be more effective in managing change.
Contact Dr. Barratt about specific professional development recommendations. will at willbarratt.com
Excellence with an edge.
Copyright Will Barratt, 2002, Last
updated 06/28/07