The book is divided into eight topics that explore the concept of personal organization. Bennis and Biederman (1997) elaborate how good organization can lead to improved performance. It may also result into enormous success by an individual. The first chapter discusses the importance of combined efforts in dealing with a challenge.
The authors are completely against individual success. Unfortunately, they note that most Americans believe in the ideal of individualism. They argue that through the American world can achieve a lot through teamwork. They propose that as the world continues to become a global village, individualism cannot prevail.
The second chapter analyses a film industry with the aim of ascertaining the importance of group work. For a movie to be successful, a lot of group work is needed. No individual person has the capability of producing a movie or a film. The combined creativity in these areas can produce impressive results.
The level of collaboration witnessed in the film industry was instrumental in attaining the greatest levels of creativity. This chapter also demonstrates how good leadership skills and competences can lead into significant growth in any business enterprise. The third chapter analyzes the growth and development of computing knowledge.
The emergence of major industry players in computer technology is also elaborated in this chapter. This reinforces the importance of great leadership in the success of a business venture. A collection of individuals with expertise skills and knowledge alongside great leadership have enabled the evolution of computing technology.
Competition is also mentioned in this chapter as a major way through which creativity and innovation activated. The fourth chapter explores how positive co-operation can build hope. A case study of President Clinton’s campaign teams has been used to elaborate the importance of collaborating.
For instance, Clinton’s campaign teams brought harmonized great minds together for the sole purpose of convincing the Americans that he was the best candidate for presidency. The achievement realized in this collaboration is attributed to proper organization. In addition, excellent leadership skills also played a vital role. These case scenarios highlight the significance of collaborating whenever certain goals have been set to be achieved.
The 1960 scientific research project has also been noted as another example of significant achievement that resulted from co-operation among individuals with a common goal. The achievements of this project revolutionized the defense forces in America. The Manhattan project wasted a lot of talent when it excluded women in executing its functions.
This chapter explores how women can play a vital role in the success of business organizations. Moreover, inadequate educational opportunity for women has led to great loss of the talent female population. The last chapters expound the lessons learned from the case scenarios and how they can be applied in leadership. Various ways through which these lessons can be applied within groups of people have been discussed.
The authors assert that the book offers a rich source of information that can be used to guide team work and small groups in organizations. This final chapter offers general advice on how to guarantee success of a business venture. The authors are quite categorical that managers should hire people who are skilled and talented. The management should also ignore gender bias when recruiting employees.
Reference
Bennis, W. & Biederman, P. W. (1997). Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration. New York, NY: Addison Wesley Publishing Company.