Comments on: Book Club: Leadership and Self-Deception

By: Katherine Wilstead

Katherine Wilstead — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:26:20 +0000

Joel,
I appreciated your commentary on both “Leadership and Self-Deception” and “The Bonds That Make Us Free”. I am in the process of compiling personal and redemptive stories from people internationally who have begun to recognize these stories or even had them facilitated by what they have discovered in these books and/or other Arbinger publications. If you would be willing to share your personal stor(ies), I would love to include them. Please email them to me at kwwilstead@gmail.com and specify if you would like the names changed (to protect privacy) in your stories. Thank you so much.

For everyone else who has commented, please join with us and submit your stories as well. Thank you.

By: John Harper

John Harper — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:54:23 +0000

Leadership and Self Deception is one of the greatest books I have ever read. It was my realization that my ill-treatment of others caused distrust and demoralization that truly enabled me to change myself. I knew that by looking at others as objects and not people spread germs of progress-ional sterility, essentially killing the productivity of co-workers and the people I was supposed to be leading, just as realistically as Semmelweis’ deadly germs killed so many in his Vienna hospital.

I would strongly suggest that you read and re-read this book, until you come to that same realization. If you blaze over the book and do not internalize its message, you will have wasted your time.

By: Joel Dehlin

Joel Dehlin — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:09:55 +0000

I ended up really enjoying this book. The fiction didn’t draw me in all that much, but it made it easier to read. That said, a book with just the key points would have been an even easier read since the book would have been about 20 pages.

The principles are classic, and a great reminder one of one of my all-time fave books: Bonds That Make Us Free.

I more often spot myself being “in the box,” especially post facto. It allows me to reset and pull myself back out by figuring out ways to serve whomever I feel like I’m in the box toward.

It’s amazing to me how many LDS “self-help” gurus are on top of the game. They’re basically teaching Christian principles and they resonate with people. They work!

Great book. 7/10

By: Gary Thornock

Gary Thornock — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:34:33 +0000

I read the book a couple of years ago and found it very insightful, but if I had to choose between the two books, I’d recommend “Bonds That Make Us Free”. Of course, there’s no real need to choose one or the other: read them both!

By: Mary Jurgaitis

Mary Jurgaitis — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:25:22 +0000

Did anyone know that the book is being serialized on Meridian Magazine? I have found it a great way to “read” the book – a chapter at a time with the opportunity between chapters to let it sink in and work on the concepts.

By: Joel Dehlin

Joel Dehlin — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:50:27 +0000

Great feedback, all! I’m a hundred or so pages into it and enjoying it!!

By: Roger L. Rice

Roger L. Rice — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:23:42 +0000

I read the book several years ago and recommended it to all of my co-workers. It has excellent insights as to how we view others – both at work and at home. My understanding is that the book was acatually based on Terry Warner’s book “Bonds That Make Us Free” since Terry’s book had not yet been officially published. Actually, I think I got more out of “Leadership and Self-Deception” than “Bonds That Make Us Free” because it was an easier read. Anyway both books are great!

By: David Williams

David Williams — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:54:56 +0000

The concepts Dr. Warner are attempting to convey I believe are much deeper than the stories and examples he portrays I took a class from Dr. Warner in the mid-80’s where he taught some of principles espoused here. While I didn’t quite “get it” then (although I got an A), I have since realized that managing self-deception within our personal relationships is a key component of our expected learnings in this life. This stuff ties back to the atonement – a topic Dr. Warner unfortunately avoids because he wants to broaden his audience. It is deceptively simple, and infinitely important.

By: John Hilton

John Hilton — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:02:53 +0000

This book really struck a chord with me. “Being in the box” is something I face a lot, so I have found that I need to periodically reread this book as well as The Anatomy of Peace, which I enjoyed even more.

By: Kevin Schlag

Kevin Schlag — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:52:56 +0000

Our IT staff read this at BYU-Hawaii back in 2000, or so. It was a really good read, and I still recommend it to others.

In some ways, it’s like most other business books–lots of “Well, duh!” moments, but some good gems in there. And in any case, often what you’ve heard before is worth being reminded about.