It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Dec 17/12)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Here we share what we are reading, the books we've acquired or borrowed, and reviews.

This past week has been crazy busy at work.  That's retail though this time of year!  So I return home exhausted and just seem to veg in front of the computer.  I did manage to finish reading The Power of Why by Amanda Lang which was stimulating!  The Power of Why encourages the reader to think of things differently, think laterally, ask why, turn things around and look at them with a new approach.  Doing so can help you solve problems and become innovative in all aspects of your life.  Amanda Lang names several companies and individuals who used this method and found great success.  Canadian Tire and Otis Elevators are but two from whom she took examples.  If you get a chance, I highly recommend The Power of Why!

And... my husband and I went to see The Hobbit:  An Unexpected Journey on Friday!!!  It was sooooo good!!!  Read my thoughts on this book to movie here.  You have to go see this!  I'm just saying!

This week I am tackling Televenge.  So far I am having a difficult time getting into the story.  But I shall persevere and give it another chance.  I have picked up an ARC of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer again.  I had put it aside several months ago when we moved and I soon forgot about it until recently.  Oh, and exciting news!  My blog is in the upcoming paperback release of Cinder!! Cool, right!  (Cinder is the first in the Lunar Chronicles of which Scarlet is the second.)

I also have two book giveaways right now!  Be sure to click on the links on my sidebar and easily enter to win!  

Recently received in my mailbox:

Everything Was Good-bye by Gurjinder Basran

The Books They Gave Me by Jen Adams

Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell

The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair

Quinoa Revolution by Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming

The Power of Why by Amanda Lang

The Power of Why

Author:  Amanda Lang

Published:  October 2012

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Pages: 273 including an index, notes (acknowledgements/sources)

Source:  borrowed
Genre:  business

ISBN 9781443413183

Why are some people able to get so much more done in so much less time than others? Why do some companies flourish in tough times while others fail? Why are some countries more productive than others?

Through an entertaining mix of examples from the business world, insights from innovation gurus, little-known research, the experiences of business leaders and her own candid stories of life off-camera, Amanda Lang explains how asking the right questions has changed the world and how it can change you, too. From the invention of the curved shower curtain rod to the introduction of an elevator that creates electricity as it moves from floor to floor, The Power of Why persuasively spells out the connection between innovation and productivity that is so crucial in the knowledge economy.

Instead of obsessing over working smarter, we ought to focus on the instinctive urge to question that?s so natural for young children. As Lang shows, it's possible to reignite that instinct at any age and to become more innovative and productive, as well as more fulfilled in our jobs and happier in our relationships. That's the power of why.

Review:

"... paradoxically, the less willing you are to make mistakes, the more likely you may be to make them because you've narrowed your mind and drastically reduced your openness to new opportunities." (page 116, The Power of Why) 

Discussing the innovations of curious minds including one who developed a safety feature that ensures a saw will stop when it comes in contact with human flesh, another few who developed a new "chain" for Otis elevators, a man who made his hotels the epitome of hospitality.  All of these and more are discussed in The Power of Why as examples of how one can become innovative when we allow ourselves to ask questions, think beyond the typical boundaries, be creative and unafraid to fail.  

As children, we were all curious and full of questions.  The favourite word for a five year old is usually "why?"  Not because they are trying to be difficult, but because they really want to know.  Over the years spent in the educational system children are discouraged from being disruptive, the fear of failure grows and children are less inclined/discouraged to ask questions.  Amanda Lang's theory of The Power of Why encourages that childlike wonderment, the curiosity, the lack of fear of failure, and a desire to learn.  By allowing ourselves, our employees, our co-workers, our family members to think laterally, to embrace the challenges, and to respectfully question, we unleash the power of innovation and creative solutions.  

The more I read The Power of Why, the more I realized that I fit into the "play it safe" category.  I do ask questions to better learn reasoning, but I fear failure in a big way.  I don't take risks, at least not many.  Upon reading this powerful little book, I feel a little more emboldened to take on new tasks and embrace the opportunity to learn, to grow, to think laterally and to make mistakes.  Okay, that last word is still painful.  Maybe I need practice with the whole concept.

The Power of Why goes against the norm.  Author Amanda Lang encourages the reader to question why and how.  To think outside the box.  To think laterally.  The chapter on working as a team and the mentality of an employee who feels valued really struck me.  I recommended this book at work as an essential read for all employees.  The Power of Why could be an amazing tool in building a team with common aspirations and a mindset in which they acknowledge their role as valued, as an important member of a team.

Highly recommended whether you are a parent, an employee, an entrepreneur (especially!), a manager.  Whatever your role, The Power of Why is enlightening!