Working the Shadow Side: A Guide to Positive Behind-the-Scenes Management (Jossey-Bass Management) - Hardcover

Egan, Gerard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787900117 ISBN 13: 9780787900113

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 1994

Synopsis

Offers managers, consultants, and employees alike a practicalstarter kit that reveals how to identify, manage, and gain valuefrom the below-the surface activities in an organization. Drawingon his worldwide consulting, teaching, and research experience,Gerard Egan shows how to create opportunity and competitiveadvantage by learning how to manage shadow-side realities. Heidentifies five interactive categories of behavior that affect bothproductivity and quality of work life in today'sorganizations--covert culture, the idiosyncrasies of individuals,the interactions of the organization's social system, institutionalpolitics, and the hidden organization--and details specific skillsand strategies for mining economic value from each one.

Harness the covert aspects of your organization -- covert culture,individual idiosyncrasies, institutional politics -- forcompetitive advantage. World-renown consultant, teacher andresearcher Gerard Egan identifies five shadow side work behaviors,and details specifics for mining the economic value of each.

About this title

About the Author

GERARD EGAN is professor of organization studies and psychology at Loyola University of Chicago. He consults to a variety of organizations worldwide including The World Bank, British Airways, and Amoco Corporation and is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling The Skilled Helper (4th edition, 1990).

From the Back Cover

This practical "starter kit" shows how to identify, manage, and benefit from the activities that happen below the surface of an organization. It is valuable reading for managers, consultants, and employees alike.

Reviews

A Loyola University of Chicago professor of organization development and psychology, Egan argues persuasively that an organization's "hidden culture" can add to its value. The shadow side of the institution--the unspoken, unacknowledged, behind-the-scenes stuff--is usually assumed to be negative and to get in the way of organizational efficiency and effectiveness. But managers who can develop a set of strategies and day-to-day skills for handling the shadow side can bring on positive change in today's fast-paced business environment. The author explains and gives advise on what goes on in the shadows and how to mine value from the shadow side, illustrating how managers who gain the skills necessary to deal with the hidden culture and hehind-the-scenes events can reduce the negative financial implications and turn shadow-side realities into competitive advantages. Highly recommended for all levels of managers in today's organizations; scholars, consultants, and advanced students of business and organizational studies will also find it useful. Joseph Leonard

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787900117
• ISBN 13: 9780787900113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 296