Clued Up: Working Through Politics and Complexity

Life and work. Fast, demanding, too much of it, from all angles, messy. In the midst of the chaos, it's hard to recall things you've read or learned that would make it easier to be effective. You're too busy just dealing with it. When you're faced with a situation where a technique or theory might be useful, you don't remember it. And conversely if you try to apply a theory, it doesn't always fit the situation.Organisational politics and complexity are facts of life in this world. A world in which too many of our best ideas never make it into action. The messiness of this idea-action gap is unavoidable, but not unmanageable. Seeing the gap for what it is, paying attention to how we think and what we say, will help us navigate through. But in the midst of the mess are all the clues we need to trigger what would be the most effective action. This book will show you how to spot them, allowing you to get 'clued up' and make informed choices, unlocking your past experience and pulling useful aspects into play whenever they are needed. Suddenly you are back in control, reacting appropriately and acting effectively. ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION

Graham Abbey is currently working in the United States for Pearson Education creating a global approach to talent development. He has previously worked in the investment banking, design consultancy and aerospace sectors. His specialism is organisational and management development, but he has held human resources, project management, sales and process re-engineering roles. Graham has qualifications in aeronautical engineering, business administration and psychology and is a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management. Alan Robertson is an independent management consultant who has worked in many business sectors including manufacturing, professional services, public utilities, financial services, and healthcare. Much of his work is concerned with personal coaching and helping people and organisations to get to grips with more challenging spaces. Alan has qualifications in modern history, business administration and psychology and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.