Paperback(1ST RIVERH)
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781573227209 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 03/01/1999 |
| Edition description: | 1ST RIVERH |
| Pages: | 240 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.60(d) |
Interviews
On Tuesday, May 19th, barnesandnoble.com welcomed James Autry to discuss REAL POWER.
Moderator: Welcome to the barnesandnoble.com Author Auditorium. We are excited to welcome James A. Autry, here to discuss his new book, REAL POWER. Welcome, James Autry! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening. How are you doing tonight?
James A Autry: I am happy to be here and happy to be online for my first online experience.
Niki from Sudbury, MA: How did you first become interested in the TAO TE CHING?
James A Autry: Several years ago, after giving a lecture at a business school, one of the professors handed me a copy and said, "This is my favorite management book." I have consulted it and used it in my consulting ever since -- it was about 12 years ago.
Jennifer from NYC: What do you think is the most common problem in today's American work environment?
James A Autry: A colossal lack of trust between management and workers. Much of this has been caused by downsizing and pressure for more productivity.
Johnie Ching from Short Hills, NJ: What impressed you most about the TAO TE CHING? Why did you use that text?
James A Autry: I used it because, fundamentally, the TAO TE CHING is a self-help book. It is not a religion, not a philosophy, but a guide to living one's life and, in my interpretation, to managing one's business.
Nelson from Fairfield, CT: I feel like I need some direction. I work really hard, and I am doing fine in my career, but I feel like I need to put things in perspective. There are times at work when I get so caught up in things, and this I feel only leads to anxiety. Do you think this book would help?
James A Autry: The answer is absolutely! It was written for professionals like you who need to learn to let go of the illusion of control and to let go of old definitions of power. Thus it defines balance in life and work.
Nancy from Orlando, FL: What do you think about modern-day bestsellers like DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF?
James A Autry: I don't want to comment on a specific book, because some of them have some very good things in them, but there does seem to me to be sort of an outbreak of bumper-sticker philosophy in some of these books. I worked very hard at making REAL POWER very pragmatic and applicable.
Mike from MMuntz@aol.com: What is "real power"?
James A Autry: These days, when business leaders talk about empowerment, what they usually mean is the idea of taking some of their own power and, in a kind of contemporary noblesse oblige, bestowing it on the people. In fact, real power comes from recognizing that your employees already have power -- the power of their skills, commitment, knowledge, and passion for the work -- then creating a place in which they can do that work. This then produces results for your enterprise, and it is from those results that your power accrues. That is real power.
Barbara Albu from 67koenig@msn.com: There can be powerful people who are more or less powerful than other powerful people. There can also be people without power. How would having real power differ from having more power or from having the most power and so on? I can see that you might be thinking of the difference between a hero (who has real power) and a bully (who only appears to have power -- until he is challenged). Is there more?
James A Autry: So often when we talk about power, we really just talk about the symbols of success. Often the people with the most power are not the ones at the top of the organization. True power is more about achieving results by creating a space for innovative work than it is about bossing people around, flying in jets, and traveling in limos.
Chang-Young from Paris, France: How do you think American business ideology differs from other business worlds, like in Japan or Europe?
James A Autry: First, I am no expert on Japanese business or European business, but I think the cultural differences make for different work styles, but I am not sure that the fundamental purpose of business differs a great deal. I do think that some countries put more emphasis on the social value of business -- which indeed we used to do -- rather than the pure economic value of business.
Ken from Boulder, CO: Why do you think more and more people are turning toward Eastern philosophy for the answers? It seems to me that Eastern philosophy is almost a hot topic these days. Why?
James A Autry: It is a hot topic. Statistically this doesn't bear up, but the increased popularity is off a small base. I believe that many of us found that our childhood religions didn't work for us, and we began to look for other ways that perhaps did not seem so rigid or so laden with rules. Other than that, I don't have an opinion.
Chad from New Jersey: Are you a fan of Scott Adams? Did any Dilbert principles get incorporated into your book?
James A Autry: This will shock you, but while I get a big kick out of "Dilbert" and get a lot of laughs and find many truths, I would fire Dilbert. He has no passion for his work, he has no passion for the people around him, and he is not somebody I would like to have on my team.
Sharon from Oyster Bay, NY: What did you find as the most relevant lessons from the TAO TE CHING that can be carried over to the workplace?
James A Autry: I repeat myself: They are the letting go of the illusion of control, letting go of old definitions of power, and realizing that if you can maintain an open mind and an open heart, and create a place for people to do good work and support those people, you can accomplish miracles in your business and your life.
Gary from USA: What has been your reaction so far? Have many people applied these philosophies? Positive feedback?
James A Autry: As a Fortune 500 senior executive, I used these philosophies myself, and as an author for the past seven years, I have consulted here and in Australia, and I affirm to you that there are top business people and companies that make these principles work for them. Now with the book, I have had very positive feedback from several CEOs.
John from jwc901@aol.com: I really liked CONFESSIONS OF AN ACCIDENTAL BUSINESSMAN. Are these books similar?
James A Autry: That is so nice. I think CONFESSIONS is the best book I have ever written, even though I think REAL POWER is the most important book that I have ever written. You will find very similar principles and applications, but stated in quite a different way. Also, there are lessons for your life in the TAO TE CHING that are probably not contained in CONFESSIONS.
Paul from Morris Plains, NJ: Who should read this book?
James A Autry: The target audience are managers and leaders of all kinds of organizations -- universities, hospitals, businesses, et cetera. I think anyone at any job can find great meaning and usefulness in the book.
Adam from Oak Park, IL: How religious is this book? Do religious values, in your opinion, carry over with tremendous difficulty to the workplace?
James A Autry: The TAO TE CHING is not about religion, but the way of living one's life. I think that to one extent or another, our values are shaped by our beliefs, religious and otherwise, and one of my main messages is to be the same person wherever you are, to manifest the same values at home, at work, at play, wherever. If those values are founded in religion that is fine. I see no intrinsic conflict between anyone's religous principles and the doing of business.
Niki from Niki_Palek@yahoo.com: Do you speak at business seminars? What has been the general reaction to this book? Do you find working folk receptive to these philosophies?
James A Autry: There has been a very positive reception, particularly from women and younger men. Older men are a little tougher audience, but many of them respond very positively.
Bobbie from San Francisco: Are you working on a new book? I was given a copy of REAL POWER, and it has tremendously helped me.
James A Autry: I appreciate the wonderful comment; my greatest goal is for the book to be helpful. I am involved with a couple other books -- one is a storybook with my grown son, VIRTUES OF THE HEART, a storybook for parents and children.
Moderator: Thank you, James Autry! Do you have any parting thoughts for the online audience?
James A Autry: Having been in business for 35 years, I know it will be easy for some businesspeople to refer to this book disdainfully as another obscure, Asian, new age book with no practical application. This is not the case; in fact, this may be one of the most useful and practical and applicable leadership books ever written.