The Path of Ascent: The Five Principles for Mastering Change

by Juan Riboldi

Can you tell if a change is going to succeed or fail? If you know what to look for, you can recognize the pattern of change you and your team are currently taking. Then, you will be able to steer in the right direction. This single, most valuable insight can save you and your organization unnecessary frustration and painful losses. This book reveals the keys for making change work in today s fast-changing environment. Based on his wide experience consulting with leaders of organizations large and small, and his research into 50 organizations that undertook major transformations, Juan Riboldi presents a step-by-step course for long-lasting and positive change. In The Path of Ascent, we learn how the best leaders and organizations prospered from change and why most don t. Organizations and individuals must look to those who have been successful to learn the proven principles for successful change. The most successful transformations have followed a distinctive pattern a steady upward climb toward loftier goals. In other words, these companies took The Path of Ascent. This course describes the Five Ascent PrinciplesTM, which, when applied correctly, can help a leader, a team, or an organization make the most of the opportunity for change.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2009

About the author

Juan Riboldi is the President and Principal Advisor at Ascent Advisor, a consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational change. Juan is an accomplished consultant, executive coach, public speaker, and author. He has taught executive courses at Harvard Business School, Pepperdine University, and Brigham Young University. An avid triathlete and sailor, Juan resides with his family at the foothills of the Wasatch mountains.

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the www.12booksgroup.com book group. I would put recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Good to Great or other work by Jim Collins. This book is about organizations that prosper through a simple 5 step process that is designed to take you our your organization to the top. A the author puts it, change is inevitable, growth is optional. Thank you for this great read.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars

I am, frankly, shocked that this book isn't more popular than it is. People need to read this book.

I've read more than my share of business books, and The Path of Ascent definitely holds its own against much better known books. Riboldi talks about change management in a compelling way. He has a clearly defined path lined with real world examples. These examples prevented the book from getting dry--I found myself engaged throughout the entire thing.

Riboldi focuses on the soft skills needed to manage change. He doesn't talk about financial acumen or project management; instead, he discusses the importance of the people aspect. If you work in a talent-based organization (and you buy into it), this book will resonate with you. If you don't work in one, this might make you wish you did.

This would be a great book for new managers to read.

[Henrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the "12 books in 2012" readings ( http://www.12booksgroup.com ).
I really enjoyed reading this book. I believe it gives a good tool / framework for creating sustainable change through the application of the Path of Ascent. The author shows, that the principle can be applied for individuals, organizations and even societies, so it is not only for leading change at large companies nor only minded at change on an individual level. The book is clearly and precise in language, and i like the balance between illustrations, great quotations, personal stories and highlighting of the most important concepts.