Don't Believe Every Business Book You Read

Some of the biggest business blockbusters of recent years contain not one or two, but several delusions. For all their claims of scientific rigor, for all their lengthy descriptions of apparently solid and careful research, they operate mainly at the level of storytelling. They offer tales of inspiration that we find comforting and satisfying, but they’re based on shaky thinking.

That’s what Phil Rosenzweig, author of The Halo Effect … and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers, says in an interview in Forbes Magazine.

Considering that a large chunk of “great business books” is about human resources practices, it’s quite a charge that Rosenzweig levels. I’m going to pick up a copy of his book and give it a thorough read. In the meantime, the Forbes article gives a good summary. One pearl of wisdom:

Bad outcomes don’t always mean that managers made mistakes. Likewise, favorable outcomes don’t necessarily mean that the managers made brilliant decisions.

About the Author

Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

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