Book Review: "Leadership and Self Deception" by The Arbinger Institute.

Title: Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box
Author: The Arbinger Institute
Pages: 180
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (2000)

Review:

If there is a list of books that I have that are must reads, this book is on my top ten. Next to the Bible, it is one of the best books to read about the real nature of ineffective and effective leadership, relationships and human nature.

One of its greatest strength is that it is not written as a text book, but is in the form of a story about an executive Tom Callum, who is introduced to the greatest strategic initiative of his new company Zagrum (fictitious). That intuitive is to remove the force of self-deception as much as possible from the company.

Self-deception or 'Being in the box' is a force known in philosophy, psychology and sociology that prevents us from making real progress because we cannot see it. It robs companies of progress and profitability, families of love and relationships of genuineness.

The Arbinger Institute uses the story to introduce what self-deception is, how it dominates our life, how it happens to us and ultimately how to get out. This book then becomes their first stage in addressing the problem, but I can tell you its content alone without the rest of the training they provide will revolutionize your thinking on the subjects of leadership, relationships and human nature.

Stylistically, because it is a story, It makes the book a joy to read and you can definitely identify with Tom Callum in the story as he takes the role of asking the common questions and raising the most common objections. The story teaches as it entertains.

If there is a weakness it is that it is an introduction to actually dealing with the problem of self-deception. To get the rest, you have to contract the Arbringer Institute for their training and consultation.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I make it a point to read this book at least twice a year. I have actually thought about memorizing it; it is that worthy of any one's time.