You Don't Have to Do It Alone: How to Involve Others to Get Things Done

by Emily M. Axelrod, Richard H. Axelrod, Julie Beedon

Book Overview

Readers learn how to make big things happen by using tools and techniques for organizing a successful project, from planning and managing to learning lessons for the future.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157675278X
• ISBN13: 9781576752784
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A short fast read of condensed wisdom

Most of us want to get involved with other people. There is a definite limit as to what you can do by yourself. This may be from the sheer magnitude of the task at hand, or it may be from a lack of skills. None of us can do everything it takes a team to have a sports team, to run a business, to have a church. This slim little book is about getting others involved and moving along the way you want them to go. And if you really want the brief version, the checklist in Appendix A pretty well summarizes up the whole thing. Bismark, I believe, said that people want to be led and it's the same in business or in starting a community theater. It takes someone with the idea, and the willingness to stick to it through the end, and the people skills to make it happen. Here in this little book is the condensed wisdom of people who have made things happen. It's an easy fast read, and it should be read before you start something.

Worth twice the price

For 25 years and depending on my locale, I called myself a professional organizer, the archangel of lost causes, or the feminist with files. Now I work for an agency, and I read this book on the plane from Boston where I attended a conference of the American Association of Grants Professionals. Whether you are organizing a shelter for battered women, writing a community arts grant, planning for a change in public policy, acting as an officer in a community action agency, or heading a committee at your local church there is good advice here for you. I've done these things and even more oddball tasks and wish this book had come out earlier. It places a lot of information in one place that is useful for almost any manager. If you just have time to check out the tools, they are indexed in the back and are well worth the price of the book and then some. In addition to gleaning bits from the chapters to meet my department's management objectives, I am planning to read selections from the "For Further Learning" list. The emphases on inclusion and transparency are among the finer principles that should be encouraged in any organization. The book is well written, concise and easy to use.

Great Guide for Those Experienced in Leadership

You Don't Have to Do It Alone is an unusual book in many ways. First, it is written by four co-authors, each of whom has extensive and different experience in the subject. Second, the book is pared to the bone. There's hardly an extra word or sentence anywhere. Third, the material is very concentrated. One drop can be added to a gallon of water and the liquid's taste and color will change. Fourth, the book is very short. Fifth, the book is very well organized. To those who are unfamiliar with organizing tasks to involve others in productive ways, this book will look like the Ten Commandments. Almost everything you need to know is in it somewhere. As such, a beginner can use this book to identify what he or she needs to learn more about how to do. However, the book is so concentrated and slim that the beginner won't get enough help in many areas. For instance, there's no continuing example of the whole process so you can see everything in the same context. Instead, the examples shoot out at you from all directions, and you may not be able to understand the examples if you have limited experience. In addition, some of the advice is a little off the mark because it's too general. For instance, the book advises involving the troublemakers in an organization. Now, if you are really good at leadership, you can get them in the middle of things. But if you aren't so good at this, you will find that they will make mincemeat out of the project unless you keep them carefully on the edges. There could have been a whole chapter just on how to involve troublemakers . . . rather than less than one page. Finally, the beginner will find the structure a little confusing. Chapters one through five flow nicely. Then chapter six jumps into the subject of meetings. And chapter seven suggests you can use many different starting points to organize your efforts. The poor beginner may be left befuddled after reading chapter seven. This book is great though for someone who has been involved in leadership tasks for many years and wants to have a convenient set of check lists as she or he plans an important task in which many people should be involved. For these people, You Don't Have to Do It Alone is an essential resource. I particularly admired the chapter on How Do I Invite People to Become Involved? It's a classic that everyone should read. Bravo! Be sure to get the help you need . . . that's the difference between those who accomplish things and those who don't.

Quick, Practical and Profound

It's only 100 pages, a quick read, low price, yet one of the most direct and pragmatic resources you will ever find. This little book is written by people with many years of experience in the challenges of involving large groups during difficult business situations, but they've refined the practical issues we all struggle with, like "Whom to include?" and "How do I keep people involved?" They give real cases from many kinds of organization, and they give simple checklists for each element. As a professional in this business, my clients often need the simple, clear guidance that awaits right here. I'm finding myself telling clients to get a copy.

The best little book you could ever buy

This book is a `must have' for anyone who involves others in projects or is even thinking of involving anyone else. Its content is applicable to organisations, voluntary groups, youth groups, neighbourhood/local authority groups and even your sports club. The content simply takes you through the process of involvement answering all the questions you were thinking but afraid to ask out loud. It begins with what sort of involvement do you need, how do I know who to include, how do I invite people, once invited how do I keep them involved and then how do I finish the job. The `checklist' at the end is a gold mine. Thankfully it's written in jargon free language and is small enough to always have in or on your desk where you can refer back to it often.