Selected by IBM Competitive Edge Book Club Selection.
“The beauty of this book on top of its life-saving timeliness is its capacity to give the reader concrete steps to live the good life and enjoy it. The book made me understand that work can be more fun than fun.
Warren Bennis, Ph.D., University Professor, University of Southern California, coauthor, Judgment: How Great Leaders Make Winning Calls and Transparency: How Leaders Create a Culture of Candor
Change. Its your job. It just wont stop. Its relentless. It keeps coming at you like never-ending rapids in a permanent whitewater river. Change will burn you out if you dont learn how to handle it. This book is not, however, about mere survival. It is about thriving amidst the challenges of your permanent whitewater world at work.
Protect your career, improve your resilience, and seize the opportunities in turbulent times
Take charge, learn to pace yourself, set your own course, and lead others in ad-hoc teams
Ride the rapids and rediscover play and adventure in todays demanding work environment
Learn from research and the experiences of hundreds of professionals in industries from energy to telecommunications to financial services to health care
Theres nothing abstract or cute about the way this book talks about change: This is practical, grounded knowledge for managing your life in a business world thats churning with change. Gregory Shea, Ph.D. and Robert Gunther show how to keep your working life on course instead of being pushed beyond your limits…find fun and fulfillment…regroup and rebound from failure…protect yourself from events you cant predict…take charge of your life, an your future!
Navigate the Relentless Rapids of Change: *Your Job Survival Guide* by Robert Gunther and Gregory Shea, PhD Is your workplace a constant whirlwind of change? Do you feel like you're perpetually battling against the current, struggling to stay afloat? *Your Job Survival Guide: A Manual for Thriving in Change*, co-authored by organizational change experts Robert Gunther and Gregory Shea, PhD, offers a lifeline and a practical roadmap for not just surviving, but *thriving* in today's turbulent business environment. This isn't just another theoretical management book; it's a hands-on guide packed with actionable strategies and real-world examples to help you take control of your career and rediscover enjoyment in your work. Endorsed by leadership guru Warren Bennis, who calls it "life-saving" and praises its ability to provide "concrete steps to live the good life and enjoy it," this book tackles the ever-present reality of organizational change head-on. It acknowledges the relentless nature of change and its potential to cause burnout, but shifts the focus from mere survival to proactive engagement. **What You'll Discover Inside:** * **Resilience-Building Strategies:** Learn proven techniques to bolster your resilience, protect your career, and seize unexpected opportunities amidst organizational upheaval. Discover how to develop a flexible mindset and adapt quickly to new demands. * **The Power of Pacing:** Master the art of pacing yourself to avoid burnout and maintain peak performance. Identify your personal limits and develop strategies for sustainable productivity. * **Taking Charge & Leading Ad-Hoc Teams:** Learn to take initiative, set your own course, and effectively lead ad-hoc teams, even in situations where formal authority is lacking. Develop your influence and build consensus among diverse groups. * **Rediscovering Play and Adventure:** Inject fun and excitement back into your demanding work environment. Explore strategies for fostering creativity, collaboration, and a sense of purpose, even in challenging circumstances. * **Real-World Case Studies:** Benefit from the experiences of hundreds of professionals across diverse industries, including energy, telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare. Learn from their successes and failures as they navigate organizational change. * **Practical, Grounded Knowledge:** This book avoids abstract theories and instead delivers practical, actionable advice for managing your life in a constantly evolving business world. Gain concrete tools and techniques that you can implement immediately. * **Bounce Back Stronger:** Learn how to regroup and rebound from setbacks and failures. Develop a resilient mindset that allows you to learn from your mistakes and emerge stronger than before. * **Protect Your Future:** Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself from unforeseen events and take charge of your career trajectory. Gain a sense of control over your professional destiny. **About the Authors:** * **Robert Gunther:** A seasoned consultant and expert in organizational development, Robert Gunther brings extensive experience in helping organizations navigate change effectively. * **Gregory Shea, PhD:** A renowned organizational psychologist and adjunct professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Gregory Shea is a leading authority on leadership, team dynamics, and organizational change. His expertise provides a strong academic foundation for the practical advice offered in the book. Shea has a distinguished career consulting to a range of organizations on the challenges of implementing major change and improving organizational performance. *Your Job Survival Guide* is more than just a book; it's an essential resource for anyone seeking to thrive in today's dynamic and unpredictable workplace. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your career, this book will provide you with the tools and strategies you need to navigate the rapids of change and emerge as a stronger, more resilient, and more successful professional. Published by FT Press in 2008, this first edition paperback is a must-read for anyone involved in organizational change or technological innovations. Don't just survive, thrive!