Simple Habits for Complex Times: Powerful Practices for Leaders

By: Jennifer Garvey Berger, Keith Johnston

Narrated by: Jean Ann Douglass

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

When faced with complex challenges or uncertain outcomes, many leaders believe that if they are smart enough, work hard enough, or turn to the best management tools, they will be able to find the right answer, predict and plan for the future, and break down tasks to produce controllable results. But what are leaders to do when this isn't the case?

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all tips and tricks drawn from the realm of business as usual, Simple Habits for Complex Times provides three integral practices that enable leaders to navigate the unknown. By taking multiple perspectives, asking different questions, and seeing more of their system, leaders can better understand themselves, their roles, and the world around them. They can become more nimble, respond with agility, and guide their organizations to thrive in an ever-shifting business landscape. The more leaders use these simple habits, the more they enhance their performance and solve increasingly common, sticky business issues with greater acumen.

Whether in large or small organizations, in government or the private sector, in the U.S. or overseas, leaders will turn to this audiobook as a companion that helps them grow into the best version of themselves.

The book is published by Stanford University Press. The audiobook will be published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2015 Jennifer Garvey Berger and Keith Johnston (P)2019 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Will change you as a leader...and a person. A landmark work!" (Michael Rennie, Global Leader, McKinsey & Company Organization and Leadership Practice)

"Garvey Berger and Johnston are superb teachers! ...You'll keep turning the pages and the pages will turn you into a better leader." (Robert Kegan Harvard University and co-author of Immunity to Change)

Excellent Leadership Suggestion

One stop book for improving or learning leadership skills. beautiful Technics about how to run productive meeting.

Not too complex

Not any eye opening findings or revelations which one could not find in other books. Interesting story line - the way the learnings are integrated.

Oooh, very nice.

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This was a refreshing approach to a topic that's been written about many times before. Sometimes you don't need new information, you need a new presentation. I felt that's what the author gave here. No complaints. Check it out.

"We're driving forward while looking into the rear

Although this audiobook initially looked like a standard "business self-help" guide, I'm impressed with its tone, approach, and helpful takeaways. I appreciate that it’s not too high level without everyday application, but at the same time it doesn't slog through the basics that most listeners/readers should be familiar with in the office/home environment. The case studies demonstrate how one can use the techniques in their life and navigate through life's ambiguities, and that there are many shades of grey in life and not just a series of black and white situations, which other business guides will often use.

Overall this book is worth the time that you put into listening and applying the concepts and highly recommend. I found myself writing down some of the author’s more salient themes and phrases, such as the one in this title, as a reminder to check my perspective during critical thinking.

Note: I was given this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

The book has many useful stories

The author tries to exemplify useful habits through stories, but it takes too long to get to the point and most of the time I even forget what was about. Keeping in mind that the book is geared towards leaders, we know that most of the time they lack time so I believe that with a bit of improvement the book could cover the same ideas in half the time and would be a better fit for leaders.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great Book

This is one of the best books that I’ve listened to. I loved how this non fiction book was put together in a great story! Also the narrator was really good.

I would not recommend this book

The presentation of this book was a huge fail for me. While there may be some good ideas to put into practice, the drawn out 'story' that those ideas are buried in was not interesting. I could not readily relate my job situation with the foster care system example the book is based on. This book needs a summary of points, and much shorter chapters. I had to return it - as much as I wanted to get something valuable from this book, I just couldn't pay attention to the long, drawn out chapters or relate to the story/situation.