Book review: Beyond Measure by MARGARET HEFFERNAN

“Beyond measure” with sub-title”the big impact of small changes” by MARGARET HEFFERNAN.

This book of less than 100 pages is strongly recommended for all in management and leadership positions.

First published in May 2015, the author shares her rich experience as international business consultant on the topics of what she calls “just cultures” and “social capital” in the workplace

According to these  concepts, organisations thrive when they adopt and support the values of trust, sharing what was learnt from mistakes, allowing everyone in a team to voice their opinions and the value of diversity in work-groups.

In chapter one She is a strong proponent of the value of honest conflict  by saying things like “Unanimity is always a sign that participation isn’t wholehearted” and

“When we avoid  the argument, nothing happens. Only when we both engage in  debate is our capacity to see each other’s perspectives realized.”

The book also deals with the importance of sharing ideas through casual interaction and the value of frequent team interactions by means of unstructured platforms such as tea breaks.

She illustrates her approach by means of various recent case studies in multinational corporations, even some in South-Africa.

Review by Izak Blom 2016 March