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17th out of 18 books
—
5 voters
Good Business: Leadership, Flow, and the Making of Meaning
Since Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi published the groundbreaking Flow more than a decade ago, world leaders such as Tony Blair and former President Clinton, and influential sports figures like Super Bowl champion coach Jimmy Johnson have all been inspired by the book. In today's corporate upheaval, a new business paradigm is evolving. While many CEOs are being exposed for their...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
March 30th 2004
by Penguin Books
(first published April 1st 2003)
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The first chapter of this book said that it draws primarily on the experience of major corporations, but was really about how to improve one's work life at any level - be it a janitor or manager. I thought, "that's very ambitious, and very unlikely," but after reading it cover-to-cover, it succeeds in reaching that objective.
In each chapter, renowned psychologist, and creator of the concept of "flow," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, methdocially talks about the applicability of the flow concept to ever...more
In each chapter, renowned psychologist, and creator of the concept of "flow," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, methdocially talks about the applicability of the flow concept to ever...more
Generally good book on good business. I enjoy books with many examples, and Mihaly did a great job of that. A wide wide variety of company owners/executives who create a deeper meaning to why they do what they do and how they unite their employees and volunteers around them. The reason for a 4 star, a little much of the environmental push. I agree with him, but the direct way he repeatedly addressed it was unexpected in a book like this. He spent a little much time on "the rockclimber"... it was...more
Much of the arguments are obvious, but having my instincts confirmed was nice. For example, I feel like I can defend my recent learning initiatives with this:
"Through learning we grow, becoming more than we were
before, and in that sense learning is unselfish, because it results in
the transformation of what we were before, a setting aside of the
old self in favor of a more complex one."
There were some interesting stories from executives, but many of them were not from companies I would want to emu...more
"Through learning we grow, becoming more than we were
before, and in that sense learning is unselfish, because it results in
the transformation of what we were before, a setting aside of the
old self in favor of a more complex one."
There were some interesting stories from executives, but many of them were not from companies I would want to emu...more
This book is largely just an echo of "flow" (which was excellent) and comes across as a simplistic set of guidelines for business practitioners.
Though it was funded by a grant and based on research of leaders, the few examples are dominated by quotes from heads of Lockheed Martin and Monsanto ("flow companies"? Really?), a venture capitalist, and a handful of others Ina an extraordinarily non-representative sample. When the aerospace/weapons manufacturer CEO waxes on about religion, that as ju...more
Really enjoyed this book, it is all about why flow is so important for anyone in their job. How can companies create flow - clear goals, a good match between skills and challenge and immediate feedback. It sounds simple but like the author says, a book could be written about each of these. Some great food for thought about how we live our lives in general, pearls like seeing your life as an accumulation of those moments you spend paying attention to particular things. So what are you paying atte...more
Csikszentmihalyi takes his concept of "flow" a step further by talking about how it should be integrated into business to achieve better results, more satisfying careers, and a more balanced, ethical set of outcomes. "Flow" has significantly influenced my personal outlook, and this book is a worthy accompaniment.
I listened to this on audiobook. I finished however it did not capture my attention.
The author revisited the same points in a circular fashion, ultimately the topics he covered extended well beyond the scope of his primary research.
I recommend "Shine" instead.
The author revisited the same points in a circular fashion, ultimately the topics he covered extended well beyond the scope of his primary research.
I recommend "Shine" instead.
Pretty much just common sense written in intelligent-sounding prose. His overview of "Flow" was helpful, but the main reason I read it was just to say I've read a book by a guy with that last name (OK, not completely...).
A lot about what makes good business- satisfaction in work that also extends to personal life. Sets up to talk about "flow". Sort of basic now but pivital back in the day.
I'm a big fan of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's work, but as a business book this could have been much more concise.
Mar 29, 2013
Lori Grant
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
career-executive-ability
A must-read book on executive ability in managing your career.
Psychology of well being & all about good business.
A good moral basis for business...alot more links to institutional religion than I would have expected. Here is a person that believes in the power of human institutions, and I think i agree with him. This is the cornerstone of corporate social responsibility. It would have been really good if he actually proposed some new measures of business success like intangible asset valuation, that would have reinforced and addressed the pressures of the quarterly earnings call. I really enjoyed reading t...more
Awesome book
3 şi jumătate, de fapt.
I am quite interested in flow, but this wasn't the book for me. I work at a for non profit. I already know big business could be better.
Good book, but the author start to repeat himself on and on every each chapter, but the concept and his ideas are very nice and I strongly recommend the book
Okay--but rather derivative of his (generally more excellent & original) previous stuff.
This narrative tends to string together LOTS of quotations from various business leaders in order to illustrate Csikszentmihalyi's points.
This narrative tends to string together LOTS of quotations from various business leaders in order to illustrate Csikszentmihalyi's points.
I love the idea of finding FLOW in your daily life and work.
Good perspective on flow from a CogSci guy.
Jun 17, 2013
Ксенія Кобаль
marked it as to-read
Jun 13, 2013
Roman Romeo
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Hameed
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Jun 01, 2013
Przemyslaw
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May 31, 2013
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May 28, 2013
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A Hungarian psychology professor, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 22. Now at Claremont Graduate University, he is the former head of the department of psychology at the University of Chicago and of the department of sociology and anthropology at Lake Forest College.
He is noted for both his work in the study of happiness and creativity and also for his notoriously difficult name, i...more
More about Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi...
He is noted for both his work in the study of happiness and creativity and also for his notoriously difficult name, i...more
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