Did you ever notice that when you try to explain something, you tend to use more words, more sentences, or more time when you don’t really master the subject?
It’s probably because you need to reassure the other party that you know what you’re talking about, or because you’re in the process of getting your head around the subject, and explaining it really helps.
Henry Mintzberg‘s latest book, “Understanding Organizations… Finally” stands at the other end of the spectrum of knowledge and understanding.
It’s conciseness (only 218 pages) and ease of reading are unequivocal signs of the author’s mastery of the subject.
He doesn’t need to get his head around it; he’s been around the subject several times.
He doesn’t need either to convince us that he knows what he’s talking about; at age 83, he comes with half a century of field experience and research.
This book is not about the latest fashionable management trend; it’s about the long-lasting characteristics of organizations.
If you’re intrigued (or overwhelmed) by organizations, what they are, what they do, or why, Mintzberg’s book will help you take a higher viewpoint at what often seems like chaos.
It will also aid you to not make the gross mistake of thinking that all organizations are just… organizations.
There are fundamental differences between them that explain a lot of the behavior of the actors for a given one.
These differences also imply that an effective remedy for an illed organization might be a fatal poison if applied to another one.
Additionally, here’s an author that clearly speaks his mind; he’s not doing this to please everyone. I like that!
Before reading his book, I knew Mintzberg from reputation.
I’m now a fan.