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The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life (平装)
by Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander
| Category:
Personal effectiveness, Success, Motivation, Self help |
| Market price: ¥ 168.00
MSL price:
¥ 158.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Part philosophy, part creativity, part business coaching, and part common sense, this book is a sensible manual for turning life's obstacles into possibilities. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 12 items |
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S. Ketchum (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
The lure of this book's promise starts with the assumption in its title. Possibility - that big, all-encompassing, wide-open-door concept - is an art? Well, who doesn't want to be a skilled artist, whether in the director's chair, the boardroom, on the factory floor, or even just in dealing with life's everyday situations? Becoming an artist, however, requires discipline, and what the authors of The Art of Possibility offer is a set of practices designed to "initiate a new approach to current conditions, based on uncommon assumptions about the nature of the world."
If that sounds a little too airy-fairy for you, don't be put off; this is no mere self-improvement book, with a wimpy mandate to transform its readers into "nicer" people. Instead, it's a collection of illustrations and advice that suggests a way to change your entire outlook on life and, in the process, open up a new realm of possibility. Consider, for example, the practice of "Giving an A," whether to yourself or to others. Not intended as a way to measure someone's performance against standards, this practice instead recognizes that "the player who looks least engaged may be the most committed member of the group," and speaks to their passion rather than their cynicism. It creates possibility in an interaction and does away with power disparities to unite a team in its efforts. Or consider "Being the Board," where instead of defining yourself as a playing piece, or even as the strategist, you see yourself as the framework for the entire game. In this scenario, assigning blame or gaining control becomes futile, while seeking to become an instrument for effective partnerships becomes possible.
Packed with such examples of personal and professional interactions, the book presents complex ideas on perception and recognition in a readable, useable style. The authors' combined, eclectic experience in music and painting (as well as family therapy and executive workshops) infuses their examples with vibrant color and sound. The relevance to corporate situations and relationships is well developed, and they don't rely on dry case studies to do it. Indeed, this book assumes the emotional intelligence and desire to engage of its reader, promising access to the rewards of that door-opening notion – possibility - in return.
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Dale Burket (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
In a glut of books on personal improvement, this is a breath of fresh air. Many of the illustrations were drawn from the world of classical music, and as a musician/lawyer, I found them particularly relevant and interesting. Nothing trite here, just great thoughts and useful examples that you will find nowhere else. When I read the book for the first time, I wondered whether a non-musician would be able to relate to a description of a Mahler symphony or Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony. However, I used one of the examples in a recent speech to real estate professionals, and found that they were very interested in hearing about a string quartet (some probably for the very first time). The event made me realize that I love books that take me into a world in which I have never been, and I think many others have the same desire. So if you are not a musician, read this book, because you will be transported into the mind of a musician and the world of classical music. If you are a musician, you'll find yourself agreeing out loud with the musical examples.
This is not to say that the other examples are not relevant and interesting - they are, and they avoid the well-worn roads. I believe this husband and wife team have more to say, and I'm looking forward to their next books. |
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Thomas Loarie (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
The Art of Possibility deeply resonated with me. Creating value by managing risk and uncertainty has been the core of my life's journey. It has been filled with complexity, tension, and dissonance...but it has also been filled with the discovery of possibility and meaning. The Zanders have done a real service in framing the "how" of possibility with their examples and practices.
This gem of a book will be useful not only in managing one's life, but also in helping other's to create their great life stories. The answers to core questions like "which game of success will I choose to play?" "Will I choose to be a contribution?", and "do I take myself too - seriously?" are keys to a life of joy, meaning, and fulfillment.
Can you see the work of art within you? Within others? Or are you focusing on the facade? Who is winning the battle between the calculating self and the central self? Are you vulnerable or are you permeable? What is here now? And what do you want to do from here? Get yourself this book and engage in THE joyous adventure of opening up to your possibilities. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
My first impression upon picking up The Art of Possibility was that it would be "fluff." Wrong impression. Instead, this turned out to be a very powerful book that I'm glad to have read. The Zanders present a philosophy and strategy for seeing and living in our world from a standpoint of possibility rather than scarcity and restriction.
They describe a set of practices that may sound trite from their chapter headings ("Giving an A") but which are backed up by lucid explanations and very moving anecdotes. (I don't usually go for books that rely so heavily on personal stories, but in this case they are quite inspiring and contribute significantly to the power of the book.)
The two authors come at the issues of leadership and personal growth from different perspectives: He from the point of view of an orchestra conductor, and She from that of a psychotherapist. Benjamin Zander fortunately does not try to make the threadbare comparison that being a conductor is like being a CEO; rather, he simply uses his personal experiences as a leader to help make his points with interesting examples related to his career as conductor.
It's a worthwhile read (and easy, too, at 200 pages) that at the very least is inspiring and enjoyable, but also likely to make positive changes in your life if you apply the practices the authors describe. |
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A Russian reader (MSL quote), Russia
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I've read a lot of self-help inspirational books. This book sometimes reminds me of Who moved my cheese? by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth H. Blanchard or even 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. But this book is different. The Art of Possibility does not offer a quick path to wealth. The authors show us that inspiration does come from every-day events. The book invites you to see life from a different perspective, if you wish so. This book is certainly a great start to freeing up one's brain and thinking process. I highly recommend The Art of Possibility to anybody seriously seeking to release their full potential from the control of our human conditioning. This is really a wise book about transforming yourself and others. |
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T. Sparfeld (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This book was recommended to me several times, and I'm glad I finally found the time to read it.
Written by the husband-wife team of Ben and Ros Zander, the Art of Possibility asserts that our lives actually hold a universe of possibility right now - it is simply our frame of reference which locks us into our place.
What makes the book interesting is their tag-team approach. Ben Zander is a world-class orchestral conductor, while Ros is a psychologist. Back and forth, with fascinating stories and anecdotes, they reveal their "practices," methods of changing one's perspective to be open to the universe of possibility.
Most of their ideas are exciting and transforming. I loved the idea of facing every day asking, "How can I most contribute to helping others today?" Rule No. 6 is also a fantastic lesson, as well as the concept of empowering others to be leaders, even in nontraditional roles.
Though I did not agree with every single course of action in the book, I think TAOP invites the reader to rethink their outlook on life. For instance, TAOP implores us to avoid the "downward spiral" mode of thinking. This can be seen in the simple example of someone complaining early in the morning because they are "having one of THOSE days." How do you think someone with that frame of mind will view all the daily challenges that face him/her for the rest of that day?
It is, of course, possible that someone can read the book and not be much affected by it. Possible, but not likely. We all want to find that universe of possibility, after all - we want to be challenged. For this reason, I recommend this book. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
In addition to all the other fine features of this book, I want to point one out that might escape notice: this is a wonderful 'how to do it' manual for teachers. Rosamund & Ben explain fundamental principles that should help anyone in a position to instruct others, at all levels. As a university instructor, this book helped me understand the critical importance of framing course work as a cooperative venture, with students encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. Principles such as "it's all invented" and "give yourself an A" fit beautifully into the principles of active learning.
If you an instructor responsible for helping others learn how to teach, I strongly recommend this book. |
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Ted Kahn (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I first picked up this book casually because I was intrigued by its title, and because I was trying to deal with a number of difficult issues that hit me all in a short space of time. After reading through it, I realized it was not just one more "pop psychology" self-help book - but rather, it is a unique and potentially transformative book. It spoke personally to me and to members of my family (all musicians) - and over the past six months, I have purchased and given more than 20 copies of this book as gifts to friends, family and business colleagues.
The practices in this book are so much needed now by both kids and adults in a time where there's much too much "binary" thinking going on all over the world (and all too often, not even mindful thinking, at that). The examples that both Roz and Benjamin Zander bring from their own practices, especially those of Ben Zander as both a teacher at the New England Conservatory and as music director/conductor of both the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and multiple youth orchestras, are wonderful... and often, inspirational. Anyone who has ever felt limited in their own views of what is possible (and that's just about all of us) can benefit from the stories and practices outlined in this book.
I can't recommend this book highly enough: The best review comment I can give it is that it's the book I wish I had been able to write, but since I didn't, I'll keep giving it to those I work with and care about. |
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Tracy Dumont (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I met Benjamin Zander several times, as the company I work for had him present at several leadership type meetings. He had a profound impact on my life. I went from thinking that I worked for an insurance company, to working for a company that helps to keep people healthy and living full lives. His ideas appear simple, almost child-like, yet they make total and complete sense in the big-bad grown-up world. Taking these simple steps lets you live a more joyous, purposfull life. I highly recommend this book, and if you ever get a chance to see Zander, whether conducting a symphony, or discussing his philosophy, please take the chance...it will be inspiring! |
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Ilya Gregorik, ), Canada
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This is more of a philosophical book and its aim is to expose a framework of assumptions that many of us hold - assumptions that hold us down in the world of 'way things are', instead of allowing us to live in a 'world of possibilities'. Counterintuitive at times, the advice is very helpful once you wrap your head around it:
- Identify your assumptions
- Give yourself, and your peers an 'A'
- Don't take yourself so seriously
- Make mistakes, think in possibilities, avoid downward spirals
- Live your vision, and more...
It's an excellent book, well written and with great stories. Chances are, you'll come back to it more than once, just as I have. If you like it, take a look at the Purple Cow by Seth Godin, they complement each other really well and can make a great gift! |
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1 2 | Total 2 pages 12 items |
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