Loading ...November 30, 2010. Alain B. Burrese “Author, Speaker, Mediator, … (Missoula, MT)
“Lateral Approach To Taking Charge: Simple Principles for New Bosses on Building Authority and Partnerships” by H.W. Sit and Ling Bundgaard reminds me of the books by Spencer Johnson such as “Who Moved My Cheese?” and “Peaks and Valleys.” This book too is a short “story” or parable that conveys business advice. While the book may seem a bit longer than those by Johnson, the margins are quite large and there is double spacing between paragraphs, so the book really is a very quick read. It’s a pretty simple story, but it does convey some sound and practical nonspecific business advice.
The story is about a young man, Alex, who is promoted by his supervisor, John, and put in charge of the Tower Project. Alex then seeks advice from a “Mystic” who is knowledgeable about management matters. Alex visits with the Mystic, learns lessons, goes back to the office, and uses the lessons he learns to successfully lead his team. If you like lessons portrayed in these kinds of parables, you will probably like this book. As I said, it is a quick read, and the lessons to have value.
However, I probably would have liked it a bit more with a few changes. First, rather than using a “Mystic” as the person Alex learns from, it might have been better if this person would have been described as a successful businessman and mentor. Additionally, I understand that the authors wanted this book to be broad based and applicable to many situations, but the general nature of everything, without any specifics made it seem more theory than practical. None of the projects, plans, etc. are explained in any detail. You just get the “idea” or “theory” without a concrete example of its implementation.
The lessons are pretty much spoon fed to the reader. Alex has problem, the Mystic tells him a strategy, and then there are pages of notes that Alex takes that reiterate the lessons the Mystic shared. This makes it easy to review, you can just read the “notes” pages and get all the key concepts of what the authors call “The Lateral Approach.”
So that is how the lessons are shared, but what about the lessons? They consist of some common sense and practical business advice given in a generic manner to apply to many situations. Topics include how to work with your boss and be managed, and manage at the same time, how to communicate with those you manage, how to educate those you manage and are managed by, setting goals and getting started fast to build momentum, how to build authority, and doing the right thing. The advice is sound, but somewhat basic. Obviously it will depend on the readers business background as to how basic these lessons are, and I am a firm believer in mastering basics, because that is what everything is built on. So I do like this book and the lessons it shares.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the upcoming Tough Guy Wisdom series and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer.
