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The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life (Paperback)
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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Author: Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Reprint edition
Pub. in: September, 2002
ISBN: 0142001104
Pages: 224
Measurements: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA00584
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- Awards & Credential -
The National Bestseller (in North America) |
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- MSL Picks -
The Art of Possibility offers a set of breakthrough practices for creativity in all human enterprises. This inspirational book is a synthesis of Rosamund Stone Zander's knowledge of cutting-edge psychology and Benjamin Zander's experiences as the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Infused with the energy of their dynamic partnership, the book joins together Ben's extraordinary talent as a mover and shaker, teacher, and communicator with Rosamund's genius for creating innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfillment. In lively counterpoint, the authors provide us with a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of our lives. The Zanders' deceptively simple practices are based on two premises: that life is composed as a story ("it's all invented") and that, with new definitions, much more is possible than people ordinarily think. The book shifts our perspective with uplifting stories, parables, and anecdotes. From "Giving an A" to the mysterious "Rule Number 6" to "Leading from Any Chair" - the account of Ben's stunning realization that the conductor/leader's power is directly linked to how much greatness he is willing to grant to others - each practice offers an opportunity for personal and organizational transformation.
"Where do you want to go today." "The possibilities are infinite." "A new world. A new way." Just about everyone is talking about the opportunities that are available in the world. If they are right, why (notwithstanding the lack of time) aren't more of us pursuing them?
The Art of Possibility (Harvard Business School Press, 2000) is a wonderfully written, inspiring, and wholly actionable book of practices for living more passionate and fulfilling lives in connection with the people and world around us. "Being with the way things are," "speaking in possibility," and "one-buttock playing" are just a few of the bits of wisdom packed into this extraordinary work.
The authors, Benjamin and Rosamund Zander, contend that new ways of being, perceiving and thinking are required to thrive in our ever-changing world - a world in which we frequently can find ourselves "out of the boat." Developing these new ways requires the ability to draw a different frame around a given set of circumstances. Using metaphors, stories, first-person accounts, and personal revelations, the authors go on to introduce a dozen practices that can serve as different frames. These include Giving an A, Being a Contribution, Leading from Any Chair, and, my favorite, Being the Board.
Used individually or in combination, the practices can help redefine perceptions of what is possible and empower each of us to make every day perfect.
While the book is written largely as a guide for personal development and creativity in any context, the concepts have tremendous potential for transforming the environment within organizations as well.
I ardently recommend this book to anyone who is striving to enrich her/his personal life or professional effectiveness and/or that of the people in the organization in which you work. (From quoting Publisher and John Ryabik, USA)
Target readers:
General readers
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Rosamund Stone Zander is a family therapist and a landscape painter.
Benjamin Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and a professor at the New England Conservatory of Music.
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From the Publisher:
Presenting twelve breakthrough practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors, The Art of Possibility is the dynamic product of an extraordinary partnership. The Art of Possibility combines Benjamin Zander's experience as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with psychotherapist Rosamund Stone Zander's genius for designing innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfillment.
The authors' harmoniously interwoven perspectives provide a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of life. Through uplifting stories, parables, and personal anecdotes, the Zanders invite us to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers whose lives radiate possibility into the world.
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| View all 12 comments |
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. |
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. |
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. |
View all 12 comments |
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