A playfully subversive new approach to solving age-old management conundrums In a book that will entertain as it instructs, acclaimed management guru Wolf Rinke distills a lifetime of management consulting experience into 20 easy-to-digest lessons. Offering novel approaches to ancient organizational riddles–for instance: “Don’t Satisfy Customers,” “Don’t Make Decisions,” and “Don’t Look Good”–Rinke’s rules give managers fresh angles from which to reappra… More >>
Don’t Oil the Squeaky Wheel: And 19 Other Contrarian Ways to Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness
Tags: Contrarian, Don't, Effectiveness, Improve, Leadership, Squeaky, Ways, Wheel
#1 by Donald C. Miller on April 6, 2010 - 2:00 pm
Dr. Wolf Rinke has developed many concepts that I have incorporated and used in my speaking and consulting business to foodservice professionals. I especially think this one is valuable. It is “right on” and conforms exactly to my findings from 15 years in the field as a consultant to the food service industry. I am going to make this course required reading for my clients and their bosses. This is Wolf’s best work yet.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Roger E. Herman on April 6, 2010 - 3:01 pm
Those words pop off the back cover to entice prospective readers to open the book. Combine that phrase with the subtitle about contrarian ways to improve leadership effectiveness and you begin to gain an idea of what this book is like. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I’d get a laugh a page or serious stuff. Turns out I got both!
Rinke, an experienced executive leader, management consultant, professional speaker, and author presents alternatives to the old saws that populate so many leadership books. Listen to some of the chapter headings: Knowledge is Not Power. Don’t Manage People. Don’t Be Proud. Don’t Have People Work for You. Don’t Focus on the Bottom Line. Don’t Satisfy Customers. Are you getting the idea that you might be in for an interesting ride?
Each chapter lightly pokes fun at the common belief, though not as obviously as I expected it would. Readers will be surprised at the strong treatment of leadership skills, illustrated with stories that bring them to life. The lessons are presented in a way that holds interest and teaches practicality.
Laugh? This book includes something unique; I have not seen this done before. In each chapter, just before the summary, there is a brief section titled “Smile.” Rinke shares a bit of humor with the reader to keep the book light and to demonstrate that leadership should be fun, not laborious.
If you’ve spent any time in leadership positions, you’ll identify with the proverbial advice…and can probably create your own thinking about what Rinke teaches us. You’ll spin a paragraph or two before you wonder where to go next. Rinke will be there to take you further down the path to success.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by William R. Cates on April 6, 2010 - 3:59 pm
As a manager of about 30 people, I found this book extremely helpful. Some of the things I new before, but didn’t really know how to apply them. This is not just a bunch of theory – it’s real world.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Jim Ball on April 6, 2010 - 4:07 pm
This is a great book to jog your thinking and uncake your brain so you don’t keep doing what you have been doing.
Rinke’s sage advice will cause you to think a bit differently and try a few new tricks that will give you an edge in leading and managing your organization.
I particularly liked chapter 10, Don’t Have People Work for You and chapter 13, Trust All the People All the Time. These chapters provide great insights and ideas for leading and managing a diverse workforce with plenty of Generation X and Millenium Group associates.
This is the kind of book that does not require great study or a huge reading investment, but provides great reading enjoyment and a big payoff in sound advice.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by gary s gunderson on April 6, 2010 - 6:59 pm
This is undoubtedly one of the best leadership books ever written. Wolf Rinke offers an enlightening and light hearted view on the all-important business concepts of great leadership. His reflections provide a fresh outlook and guide for leaders in any industry. Wolf Rinke has inspired me to change my mental model on leadership and truely change how I lead. I plan to recommend this book as a “must read” for my entire leadership team.
Rating: 5 / 5