cover image Pigeonholed in the Land of Penguins: A Tale of Seeing Beyond Stereotypes--Lessons for Our Lives and Organizations

Pigeonholed in the Land of Penguins: A Tale of Seeing Beyond Stereotypes--Lessons for Our Lives and Organizations

Annette Becker, B. J. Gallagher Hateley, Sam Weiss. AMACOM/American Management Association, $15 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-8144-7075-6

In a charmingly illustrated parable that yields rather obvious insights, management consultants Hateley and Schmidt (In the Land of the Penguins) describe the appearance of a strange box that mystifies various groups of birds. Yet when all of the birds--including the superior penguins--work together, they're able to open the box and assemble a helicopter that allows them to explore the ""Sea of Organizations"" and to seek out ""more resources and new opportunities."" Of course, their achievement depends upon sidestepping stereotypes and accepting their different strengths. The second half of the book consists of questionnaires that allow managers to determine if they are limiting their insights by pigeonholing themselves or others, for example, by judging a person by his or her occupation (""typical salesman!"") or appearance (""She sure doesn't look like a CEO!""). In the space of seven pages, Hateley and Schmidt offer 20 tips on reducing stereotyping in organizations, often leaving out details that would make their suggestions more effective. For example, they advise readers to strike up conversations with people they normally wouldn't talk to, but make no suggestions on how to maintain the communication. Readers already familiar with the land of penguins from the authors' previous books, seminars and videotapes may want this one as well; those looking to make major changes in management style should look elsewhere. (Apr.)