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The Manager's Book of Decencies: How Small Gestures Build Great Companies
There is a philosophy of doing business that goes beyond the transfer of goods and services. It calls for a transfer of values known as of small decencies.
This book shows the way.
Steve Harrison, longtime management and corporate culture innovator, knows one simple truth: The long term success of any company, small or large, local or global, depends largely on its culture. Change a company's internal culture for the better, and results skyrocket. But can a manager really adjust the culture of an entire work force, especially in a large corporation? Small decencies make it easy, and in this book Harrison describes dozens of such decencies, all field-tested by the best companies in the world. All represent small changes that produce big results.
Addressing concerns at every level of corporate culture, from the entry level to the CEO's office, Harrison shows how decencies will enhance communication, build teamwork, boost productivity, and create a stronger dedication to a shared mission company-wide. The Manager's Book of Decencies provides real-life examples of small decencies that result in major business impact, and that you can put to use in your company.
What is a Small Decency?
Greet coworkers authentically and personally
Remember to say thank you-or better yet, write thank you notes
For meetings you convene, be the first to sit down and the last to get up
Welcome visitors by name. Better yet call them "guests"
Answer your own telephone
Give away recognition when things go well; hoard responsibility when they don't
Convey bad news in person
When you make a mistake, admit it and apologize
The Manager's Book of Decencies delivers a top-to-bottom approach to creating the kind of positive corporate culture, which has shown time and again to improve performance, attract and retain top talent, promote well-behaved organizations, and advance a vision of shared values. This is crucial reading for every manager.
This book shows the way.
Steve Harrison, longtime management and corporate culture innovator, knows one simple truth: The long term success of any company, small or large, local or global, depends largely on its culture. Change a company's internal culture for the better, and results skyrocket. But can a manager really adjust the culture of an entire work force, especially in a large corporation? Small decencies make it easy, and in this book Harrison describes dozens of such decencies, all field-tested by the best companies in the world. All represent small changes that produce big results.
Addressing concerns at every level of corporate culture, from the entry level to the CEO's office, Harrison shows how decencies will enhance communication, build teamwork, boost productivity, and create a stronger dedication to a shared mission company-wide. The Manager's Book of Decencies provides real-life examples of small decencies that result in major business impact, and that you can put to use in your company.
What is a Small Decency?
Greet coworkers authentically and personally
Remember to say thank you-or better yet, write thank you notes
For meetings you convene, be the first to sit down and the last to get up
Welcome visitors by name. Better yet call them "guests"
Answer your own telephone
Give away recognition when things go well; hoard responsibility when they don't
Convey bad news in person
When you make a mistake, admit it and apologize
The Manager's Book of Decencies delivers a top-to-bottom approach to creating the kind of positive corporate culture, which has shown time and again to improve performance, attract and retain top talent, promote well-behaved organizations, and advance a vision of shared values. This is crucial reading for every manager.
- GenresBusinessManagement
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 1, 2020
As is true with a lot of these business type books, could have been 1/4 the length and still made the same points.
December 7, 2010
This was a pretty good read. Some takeaways:
"I believe that a company's culture can be modeled -- and for the better -- by the cumulative power of small actions. These actions are called decencies. Small decencies remind us that we can be true to our values both at home and at work, and that the more humanely we treat one another, the better we will be as people, and the better we will be in doing our life's work."
"A business decency is a gesture freely offered without expectations of reward that, in ways small and large, changes the corporate culture for the better."
From H. Jackson Brown's "Life's Little Instruction Book":
* Compliment three people every day.
* Rebuild a broken relationship.
* Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
* Keep secrets no matter what.
* Give people more than they expect and do it immediately.
* Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.
* Compliment publicly; criticize privately.
"I believe that a company's culture can be modeled -- and for the better -- by the cumulative power of small actions. These actions are called decencies. Small decencies remind us that we can be true to our values both at home and at work, and that the more humanely we treat one another, the better we will be as people, and the better we will be in doing our life's work."
"A business decency is a gesture freely offered without expectations of reward that, in ways small and large, changes the corporate culture for the better."
From H. Jackson Brown's "Life's Little Instruction Book":
* Compliment three people every day.
* Rebuild a broken relationship.
* Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
* Keep secrets no matter what.
* Give people more than they expect and do it immediately.
* Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.
* Compliment publicly; criticize privately.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews