Hot Pick for June 2006: Leadership and Self-Deception

Reviewed by Diana L. Hynson, Director of Learning and Teaching Ministries, General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church

Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
by The Arbinger Institute
(San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.)

Considerable thought and grand quantities of ink have been devoted in both church and business to "thinking outside the box." The Arbinger Institute takes that image at least one step further in demonstrating how we are actually "in the box," often completely unaware. In this novella-style book, we learn that one gets in and remains in the box through self-deception or self-betrayal, defined here as doing and then thinking in a way that is contrary to one's sense of honor toward another that leads to the self-justifying behavior and attitude that supports the act of deception.

There's a lot of that going on. Our finer selves eschew such behavior, but it's hard to see and to avoid unless one is constantly mindful. Leadership and Self-Deception lays out the whole pattern of behavior that leads us into — and also out of — the box. The goal is leadership with great integrity that honors those who are led as well. If that were not enough of a prize, the result is greater effectiveness, productivity, creativity, and harmony.

This is an easy read, with considerable reinforcement of the main points and principles. The practice of those principles may take a bit of effort, but it's well worth it.

The notes on the back cover of the book say, "The Arbinger Institute is a management training and consulting firm and scholarly consortium that includes people trained in business, law, economics, philosophy, the family, education, and psychology." Although theology is not mentioned, it is clear that the disciplines included are compatible with and even overlap issues of great significance to the church.

    Text Only Version