[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”250″ identifier=”B07DBSK799″ locale=”US” src=”https://englewoodreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/511tfQom9IL.jpg” tag=”douloschristo-20″ width=”182″]I recently read this brief ebook, and appreciated the critical questions it posed:
Pooping Elephants, Mowing Weeds:
What Business Gurus Failed to Tell You
David George Moore
Ebook: Self-published, 2018
Buy Now: [ [easyazon_link identifier=”B07DBSK799″ locale=”US” tag=”douloschristo-20″]Kindle[/easyazon_link] ]
How to Evaluate Business Books
An Excerpt
(Reprinted with Permission of the Author)
Here are some diagnostic questions which should aid in deciphering the merits of any business book:
- Does the author seek to sell simplistic formulas and one-size-fits-all approaches, or does he appreciate the uniqueness of each individual?
- Does the author assume everyone is pretty much wired like him? In other words, does the author universalize his own experience by assuming what motivated him will equally motivate his readers? There are certainly business strategies which apply to everyone, but how they are applied will vary from person to person.
- Does the author only tell you what to do and how to do it, or does he spur you to reflect on who you want to be, and why it is worth going in a particular direction? Note well: addressing the “what” and “how” questions are common in business books. Addressing the “who” and “why” questions is much rarer to find in business books. Granted, these two questions typically take more time to consider, can reveal uncomfortable realities, but they definitely yield better fruit.
- Does the author have a realistic view of human nature? James Madison said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Madison appreciated the dark side of human nature as do all wise people. Unfortunately, many of our business writers seem to either be oblivious to it, or at least desirous of distracting the reader from having to think about such matters. American can-do optimism is all well and good, but remembering our less than angelic inclinations is needed to keep one’s feet firmly planted in reality.
- Does the author act as if he has solved every human motivational problem imaginable? If the author is promoting his book as the key which unlocks every mystery related to business performance, by all means run in the opposite direction.
Read a brief intro to this ebook
on Scot McKnight’s blog….
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
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