What readers are saying about Leading a Business in Anxious Times...
“Baker and Fox connect long held theories that have been central in the treatment of family systems and effectively connected those theories into larger organizational contexts. The authors have made the leap with a practical touch in mind so that managers and leaders at all levels might benefit from their words of wisdom.”
— Thomas J. DeLong Ph.D., Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School.
“How can a business leader effectively guide the company in our turbulent era? Baker and Fox use emblematic success stories to answer this crucial question. Insightfully and provocatively, their book focuses on ‘the silent buzz’ of an organization, and uncovers the meanings of cures for anxiety-driven behaviors in the workplace.”
— Rafael Pastor, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Vistage International, Inc. (Vistage International is the world's foremost chief executive leadership organization.)
“Leadership is imperative for the success of any endeavor. An organization depends on its best assets, its people, and the leadership that is required to inspire them to work as a team. . . . Many businesses are challenged to achieve the quality of leadership they need and just don't know why or how. After you read this book, you'll understand why and you'll know what to do about it. A must-read book.”
— S. Paul Musco, Chair of the Board, Gemini Industries
“Psychiatrist Murray Bowen's application of natural systems thinking to human behavior radically advanced our understanding of what undermines cohesion and cooperation in social groups. Fox and Baker so deftly explain and illustrate how systems ideas bring order to the sometimes tense and chaotic relationships in a workplace that it is a must-read for employees and employers alike"
— Michael E. Kerr, MD, Director, Bowen Center for the Study of Family
“Leslie Fox and Katharine Baker know Bowen theory and they know organizations. In years of consulting to organizations, they have tested and validated Bowen's penetrating knowledge of human relationship systems. Their emphasis on practical application, and step-by-step process of change, will give this book strong appeal, since that is what so many people are looking for. They have accomplished this without losing the depth of thinking that is fundamental to the theory.”
— Stephanie Ferrera, MSW, Family Therapist, Center for Family Consultation
“Leading a Business in Anxious Times is an important and valuable book. Learning to see your business as an interdependent relationship system and to manage yourself while tolerating conflict are lessons that will help you be a true and effective leader.”
— Charles W. Collier, Senior Philanthropic Adviser, Harvard University
“This book is invaluable for those curious about the workplace as a system. It contains practical explanations for the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of what happens at work and what to do about it. Anyone trying to understand the workplace and develop increased leadership capacity should read this book.”
— Kathy Wiseman, Principal, Working Systems
“This book is an important addition to the growing literature on Bowen family systems theory and its many applications by two seasoned systems thinkers. Business leaders will recognize their own predicaments in its clear examples. As they apply what they learn here, they will see welcome changes—in themselves and in their organizations.”
— Roberta M. Gilbert, MD, Author of Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference
“In these trying times, this book helps bring perspective to the importance of leadership in business. Whether you are a small or large business, the challenge of managing people is with you each day. The insight that this book provides to understanding those challenges is invaluable.”
— Patrick M. Goggins, President, Goggins Real Estate Agency
"Leading A Business in Anxious Times is such an excellent addition to the growing library of solid Bowen theory books! Theory sections are presented in clear language, graceful syntax, and with spot-on examples. Reflection questions gently guide the reader into a meditation about self in human systems. And examples of leadership are vivid, accurately illustrated descriptions of actual leaders, their challenges, and their decisions."
— Carol Moran, MMSW, Center for Family Consultation, Wilmette, Illinois
"Leadership in Anxious Times speaks incredibly well to the current MBA population. The book highlights realistic business scenarios and highly relevant examples of how self-awareness and mental preparedness can help business professionals to have a much greater positive impact in their work and every day interactions. The book creates enough of a picture of the workplace that readers can easily see themselves in the same situations and will immediately notice both how their behavior influences others and the reverse. The reader is empowered to reshape problematic relationship patterns and to build on those that are already successful."
— Marjorie L. Winfrey, MBA '09, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL