Context, Context, Context - Reviews
"More important than whether we are an ENTJ or a 'Shaper/Finisher' or a Capricorn, is whether we are a Top, Middle, Bottom or Customer and how our world appears to us from that perspective. Fruitless and unhelpful it is, then, to blame individuals or to call for best endeavours and push key performance indicators.
'Once a system falls into a pattern, that pattern shapes how members experience themselves, others, their system and other systems. And then members behave consistently with that consciousness. All of this happens without awareness or choice.'
Here lies the genius of Barry's generic metaphor. None of the activities, services, products, markets - and especially, individual character traits of the people involved - is relevant. What matters is the interaction between the players and the distribution of power. It is impossible to dismiss these insights on the grounds that any particular situation is unique. The whole argument is presented from first principles."
David McAra in e-Organisations & People, Autumn/Winter 2017, VOL. 24, No. 3
Read the full review here
'Once a system falls into a pattern, that pattern shapes how members experience themselves, others, their system and other systems. And then members behave consistently with that consciousness. All of this happens without awareness or choice.'
Here lies the genius of Barry's generic metaphor. None of the activities, services, products, markets - and especially, individual character traits of the people involved - is relevant. What matters is the interaction between the players and the distribution of power. It is impossible to dismiss these insights on the grounds that any particular situation is unique. The whole argument is presented from first principles."
David McAra in e-Organisations & People, Autumn/Winter 2017, VOL. 24, No. 3
Read the full review here
"Context, Context, Context is the first organizational development book that is a must read for everyone at all levels of an organization. Not only does the book explain the value of each organizational level, it provides context to improve and explains how each level is necessary to achieve a high performing organization. Even the best, most efficient organizations can benefit from reading the book. I highly recommend the book for any organization wanting to improve or continue to increase its excellence!"
Joanne DeStefano
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Cornell University
Joanne DeStefano
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Cornell University
"Barry Oshry's latest work is as compelling as it is concise. With immense care and great clarity, he sets out a powerful language to describe and understand whole systems. The concepts not only help us to grasp more securely the profound personal and organisational consequences of our blindness to the contexts in which we live our lives but also grant us fresh perspectives from which to appreciate those contexts anew.
Oshry shows us that there is a different way to enact our whole system lives, a way that elaborates and realises our individual and collective potential.
As I have become more familiar with Oshry's work, I have increasingly drawn on it to inform my teaching of healthcare professionals undertaking courses in leadership, quality improvement, strategy and innovation. The powerful positive response to his work of students and colleagues working at all levels in the health system is testament to the transformative potential of Oshry's insights. This book will further elaborate that potential. "
Prof Martin McNamara
Professor and Associate Dean for External Relations, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Ireland
Oshry shows us that there is a different way to enact our whole system lives, a way that elaborates and realises our individual and collective potential.
As I have become more familiar with Oshry's work, I have increasingly drawn on it to inform my teaching of healthcare professionals undertaking courses in leadership, quality improvement, strategy and innovation. The powerful positive response to his work of students and colleagues working at all levels in the health system is testament to the transformative potential of Oshry's insights. This book will further elaborate that potential. "
Prof Martin McNamara
Professor and Associate Dean for External Relations, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Ireland
"Barry Oshry has hit a home run with his informative, instructive and inspiring book.
His work encourages leaders to be totally awake to the essential importance of context and current realities in promoting deep organizational learning. Oshry's contextual framework is a powerful organizational tool for us as we continue to push our leadership thinking and actions while striving for a mountain top perspective. "
Richard Streedain Ed.D
Professor of Leadership Studies, National-Louis University
His work encourages leaders to be totally awake to the essential importance of context and current realities in promoting deep organizational learning. Oshry's contextual framework is a powerful organizational tool for us as we continue to push our leadership thinking and actions while striving for a mountain top perspective. "
Richard Streedain Ed.D
Professor of Leadership Studies, National-Louis University
"Barry shines a light on organizational life and the players within systems. In doing so he helps elevate his readers into the role of observer, enabling insight, and offering the opportunity to reshape their experience, and empower themselves and others."
Stevie Colvin,
Manager, Organizational Effectiveness & Development
Alberta Health Services
Stevie Colvin,
Manager, Organizational Effectiveness & Development
Alberta Health Services