If It's Broken, You Can Fix It: Overcoming Dysfunction in the Workplace

by Tom E. Jones

Book Overview

If It's Broken, You Can Fix It blows the lid off the problem of dysfunction in the workplace. It helps managers step back, recognize both the subtle and overt symptoms, and begin administering some... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081440460X
• ISBN13: 9780814404607
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Amacom
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

If It's Broken, You Can Fix It

Excellent book for the OD professional and the manager alike. In his usual very effective style, Dr. Jones' "lessons" are very readable, practical, and understandable, with just the right mix of humor, metaphors and stories. His use of actual experiences serve to effectively demonstrate the "real-life" usefulness and value of the techniques he describes. Every organization experiences dysfunction, to one degree or another, and can, therefore, benefit from the guidance Dr. Jones provides in this book.

Workplace dysfunction: more common than you realise!

During my long working career I have partcipated in numerous courses, got advice from the best consultants and read lots of complicated theories. This is the first book that gives clear and practical advice to identify and solve the problems of an dysfunctional organization. I recommend Jones's book warmly to everyone who is interested in improving the quality of the activity of his organization.

Lightbulb ON!

I believe that any reader will easily recognize the corporate situations that the author describes - it's the stuff we live with every day at work. The "aha!" comes along with the author's insightful discussions of HOW and WHY these situations come to exist, and why they are so very frustrating. But the best part is the practical "here's what you can do about it" discussions. This book shows you how you can have some impact, how these situations can be addressed constructively.

Yes, You CAN Fix It

As Executive Director of VMRC, Inc., a large social service agency, I was frustrated by a variety of dysfunctional behaviors in the organization. Several years ago I recruited Tom Jones to consult with us in establishing self-directed work teams. In the course of this undertaking, we provided all employees with a copy of Tom's first book and are now giving each new hire a copy of "If It's Broken, You Can Fix It." This book provides a wealth of practical suggestions for dealing with dysfunction in the workplace. Tom draws both from the work of others, like William Bridges and Edward Lawler, and from his own extensive experience. It is a valuable resource for experienced managers and also for entry-level professional employees. The style is direct, non-academic, and remarkably free of jargon. "If It's Broken..." is also organized in a way that lends itself to browsing--a valuable feature of any work intended for busy professionals.

Great insight into why "Dilbert" is so Popular

If you can relate to "Dilbert" and feel like something is wrong with you in your worklife, this book will get you on the path to feeling better! Whether read chapter by chapter or used as a reference, employees everywhere now have the opportunity to understand why organizational life tends to get crazy from an author that has helped organizations get back on track. A delightful referesher into figuring out that its ok to work in a dysfunctional organization as long as the dysfucntion doesn't rub off on you! A must for every bookshelf---one that needs to be kept near the "Quick Fix" section since the more quick fixes you embrace, the more you'll need this book!