Change or Die. What if you were given that choice? If you didn't, your time would end soon--a lot sooner than it had to. Could you change when ... read full description
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Jun 14, 2008
Kevin
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A Blueprint for Change Agents
Author Alan Deutchman writes powerfully about the phenomenon of personal change – both in our professional and “real” lives. He starts with the arresting premise that, even if faced with the stark choice of changing or dying, many people would slack off. Instead, he offers three factors for genuine change and case studies illustrating these lessons.
The case studies include
• A successful homeless/rehab shelter in San Francisco
• D More...
Author Alan Deutchman writes powerfully about the phenomenon of personal change – both in our professional and “real” lives. He starts with the arresting premise that, even if faced with the stark choice of changing or dying, many people would slack off. Instead, he offers three factors for genuine change and case studies illustrating these lessons.
The case studies include
• A successful homeless/rehab shelter in San Francisco
• D More...
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Mar 22, 2010
Experience Life
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At the end of his book, Fortune magazine reporter Alan Deutschman makes an apology for the title, which he admits is a bit of a bait and switch. The fearful connotations are meant to grab the potential reader, after which Deutschman can begin arguing the opposite view: Fear doesn’t motivate people to change (at least in the long term); hope does.
Deutschman offers several compelling case studies that illustrate how most lasting changes have three stages in common: The people making th More...
Deutschman offers several compelling case studies that illustrate how most lasting changes have three stages in common: The people making th More...
Oct 20, 2010
Hans
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I find the topic of Change fascinating. There is a popular belief that change is impossible and that people are always going to be same. This isn't true at all, it may be challenging but change is possible. One of the reasons people can be so resilient to change is that once their brains become hard-wired to think or act a certain way it can take a long time to "re-wire" it to create a new habit. Sometimes it can be from being surrounded an environment that continually encourages t
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Oct 25, 2011
Sylia
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The book, while interesting, wasn't very instructive. Deutschman outlines his three key points for change, and spends the entire book bringing in real-life examples of how they have been applied. He doesn't really go into too much detail about the psychology of change, or realistic examples of how one can change the smaller things in one's life. For example, chapter on "Changing a Loved One" just summarized Bill Gates' relationship with his mother, and really failed to give any practic
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Mar 08, 2011
Annette
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My husband took a LEAN class over the summer and his instructor recommended this book. He really likes it a lot and he says he does use this information at work. I decided to read it(actually I listened to the audio version) because I find the study of change fascinating.
The main point of the book is: most people will try to entice other people to change using the three F's: facts, force and fear. These usually don't work at least not for the long term. He suggests that what doe More...
The main point of the book is: most people will try to entice other people to change using the three F's: facts, force and fear. These usually don't work at least not for the long term. He suggests that what doe More...
Feb 25, 2011
Ted
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This book confronts a simple human obstacle: the difficulty of change. Unlike many of the other books I've recently read, this book seems to cherry pick it's examples and theories to reinforce and strengthen Deutschman's own thoughts about change.
The book is split into two sections. The first section is Deutschman applying his three "keys to change" to three separate populations; heart patients, criminals at a special rehabilitation home in California, and disgruntled factory More...
The book is split into two sections. The first section is Deutschman applying his three "keys to change" to three separate populations; heart patients, criminals at a special rehabilitation home in California, and disgruntled factory More...
Aug 17, 2008
Andy
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An incredibly fascinating book that (thankfully) never swayed into self-help territory. A very practical and realistic look at how and why certain individuals, companies and industries are able to undergo significant and sustainable change even with the odds are stacked against them.
Utilizing accessible case studies, Alan Deutschman makes business and psychology terminology whip by at a rapid pace. A former writer for Forbes and Fast Company, Deutschman offers humor and fantastic fi More...
Utilizing accessible case studies, Alan Deutschman makes business and psychology terminology whip by at a rapid pace. A former writer for Forbes and Fast Company, Deutschman offers humor and fantastic fi More...
Jul 13, 2008
Beneth
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I guess the drama of the title of this book made me pick it up off the shelf at a bookstore. My life's been all about change for the last year or so. Some changes we choose, some we don't. This book is about the process of change. It's a simple premise- three steps to change- 1. "Relate. You form a new, emotional relationship with a person or community that inspires and sustains hope." 2. "Repeat. The new relationship helps you learn, practice, and master the new habits an
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Jan 08, 2009
Chris
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Mar 06, 2011
Nora
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This book is quick and easy to read. The key idea is explained clearly using examples from heart patients, criminals and companies. A must read for people who believe that "burning platforms" are the way to motivate others to change. My favourite quote is "People don't resist change, they resist being changed". If you see change as an active learning process, you can tackle it more successfully.
Nov 30, 2011
Leslie
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As intuitively brilliant and simple as I remember from reading it the first time. Most importantly, it's true. This is no literary treasure, but then that's not the purpose or the point. When it comes to books providing tools to change my life, I'm not in the market for verbal artistry so much as concrete logic and truth. This book could be helpful to the average person looking to improve herself, but it's when you feel that life boils down to the title that it is a piece of practical magic
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Dec 18, 2011
Gernot
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Deutschman reduces change to three simple rules.
The simplicity of this approach is tempting and makes it doable, i personally think he has left many factors out of the equation of the golden formula of change.
The examples are interesting and good to read. So i recommend this book, and do not expect real insights or tools to help you with your change project,
The simplicity of this approach is tempting and makes it doable, i personally think he has left many factors out of the equation of the golden formula of change.
The examples are interesting and good to read. So i recommend this book, and do not expect real insights or tools to help you with your change project,
Mar 26, 2009
Jennifer
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Not as depressing as it sounds. As the author states in the end, it should really be titled "Change and Thrive", but such a title may not have caught your eye. Change your company, change your health, change a criminal into a contributing member of society. Read the short-short version for free here: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/94/o...
Aug 29, 2011
Jennifer
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The three key stories in the book really make the author's point much more effective than if he'd just published the theory. Basically, inspiring hope by showing people how others in similar situations have succeeded is a much better motivator than fear.
Aug 28, 2009
Eddy
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A great book, though a better title is "Change and thrive!". I really liked his three key concepts to change: Relate, Repeat, & Reframe. This book would be especially helpful to change agents and others who want to understand the psychology of why some people change and others cannot.
Favorite quote: "Change is a verb."
Good stuff.
Favorite quote: "Change is a verb."
Good stuff.
Mar 28, 2008
Michelle
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This was fascinating. He uses case studies of heart disease patients, criminal on parole and an auto factory that has to be shut down to establish the high percentage of people who won't change, even though it may take their life, freedom or job. But then he uses examples of groups who have reversed the odds (Dean Ornish, Delancy Street & Toyota) and analyzes what they have in common that allows individuals and organizations to make important changes. There are a lot of other great case studies,
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Nov 11, 2010
Jay
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Author uses some interesting examples, especially Delancy Street, to illustrate his concept. Concept is simple and oft repeated, but mixed with the ilustrative stories it is not overbearing. Good read.
Sep 03, 2010
Jay
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Pretty lightweight, but a nice quick read. Parts of it remind me of a slimmed version of The Innovator's Dilemma. And I've heard better versions of the GM/Toyotal NUMMI plant.
Jul 30, 2011
Well-researched book that theoretically would help people accomplish "change." Yet it's not that easy to follow nor gives enough "how-to's" to make it practical.
Jun 27, 2010
Mandy
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Another fascinating nerdy book! With case studies ranging from heart patients, ex-cons, and businesses the author analyzes why change works and why it doesn't.
Aug 06, 2011
Mike
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It is good to have it drummed into oneself again and again that even though we know we need to change, we don't... but that we can.
Oct 18, 2009
Susan
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a fascinating look at the psychology of change...especially great for anyone interested in personal change or inspiring it in others.
Jul 25, 2011
Jenni
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There are several reasons why I liked this book so much. The author is a great storyteller, weaving in stories about people and companies who have made big changes in the face of big challenges. His style of writing makes the stories inspirational without going over the top. The author makes an easy to understand case of why change works or fails, drawing on psychological theory and practice, again without going over the top and making this a psych book. The message he delivers is simple and
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Mar 15, 2011
Curtis
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The message was really positive. I ended up giving it to Dizz Diamonds yo.
Oct 22, 2008
Anne
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The catch phrase is "Could you change when change matters most?" It starts by showing that change is possible even for people that statically almost never change: heart patients, criminals, and workers. It then talks about how you can change by applying the same principals that were able to reform criminals, change the longevity of heart patients, and turn the least effective unionized auto workers in the US to the best.
Dec 17, 2009
Theresa
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Faced with a life or death situation - could you change? After a very provocative opening, the author outlines three keys for real, lasting change that upon reflection - make a great deal of sense. The book is engaging and full of examples to connect the three keys - I actually needed to stop reading several times to process and really THINK about what the author says.
I've blogged about it more at link Grand-Rounds.blogspot.com.
I've blogged about it more at link Grand-Rounds.blogspot.com.
Sep 16, 2010
Allison
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This was an interesting self help book with alot of good examples of individuals and institutions making positive changes. I don't think Deutschman has a mind-blowing thesis, but his advice to connect with individuals who are agents of change was the best take away.
