The Primes: How any Group can Solve any Problem

The Primes: How any Group can Solve any Problem

by CHRIS McGOFF
Released April 2012
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781118173275

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Book description

Discover fundamental principles of high-stakes change and organizational transformation

The "primes" are universal and unavoidable patterns of group behavior that emerge whenever people attempt to transform systems or collaborate to solve complex problems. Every change agent has felt their effect, but few can recognize, anticipate, and manage them. Unacknowledged, the primes can put any leadership agenda at risk. Once mastered, the primes become a force that drives intended outcomes. The Primes is a field manual for anyone ready to step up to serious challenges, predict and manage inevitable problems, create a brighter future, and produce extraordinary results.

An essential guide for 21st century problem solvers and change agents, The Primes unveils 46 universal secrets of how to:

  • Tackle complex problems successfully and deliver extraordinary results on time

  • Forge lasting consensus among competing interests and keep teams focused and productive

  • Recognize and eliminate the most destructive forces in an organization

  • Establish cultures of integrity

The Primes gives leaders the edge they need to succeed. Once the primes are revealed, you'll see them everywhere!

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Praise for Chris McGoff and The PRIMES…
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. A Note To the Reader
  8. Introduction
    1. Mastery of “Group”—The Critical Skill
    2. The Origin of the PRIMES
  9. Part 1: Universal Patterns of Leading in Uncertain Times
    1. Chapter 1: Being Clear on What's Really Important
      1. LEADING
      2. IN–ON
      3. CHANGE versus TRANSFORMATION
    2. Chapter 2: Being Intentional and Going First
      1. INTEGRITY
      2. TRUST the UNIVERSE
      3. DECLARATION
    3. Chapter 3: Enrolling Others
      1. DYNAMIC INCOMPLETENESS
      2. ENNOBLEMENT
      3. POWER
  10. Part 2: Universal Patterns of Powerful Alliances
    1. Chapter 4: Gaining Shared Perspective
      1. BLIND MEN and the ELEPHANT
      2. LEVELS of PERSPECTIVE
      3. S-CURVES
    2. Chapter 5: Establishing Shared Intent
      1. CORE PRIME
      2. PARITY
      3. STAKE
    3. Chapter 6: Taking Coordinated Action
      1. COHESION
      2. REDPOINT
      3. MUDA
  11. Part 3: Universal Patterns of Outstanding Group Performance
    1. Chapter 7: Making Decisions
      1. LEADERSHIP SPECTRUM
      2. CONSENSUS
      3. OPEN–CLOSE–DECIDE
    2. Chapter 8: Building an Intentional Culture
      1. CULTURE
      2. CONGRUENCE
      3. FEEDBACK as CARING
    3. Chapter 9: Social Contracting and Accountability within the Group
      1. REQUEST
      2. TRUST
      3. BREACH
    4. Chapter 10: Saying and Not Saying; Listening and Not Listening
      1. PERIMETER
      2. FACTS, STORIES, and BELIEFS
      3. GOSSIP
  12. Part 4: Universal Patterns of Group Failure
    1. Chapter 11: Overcoming Resistance
      1. LAGGARDS
      2. FRAGMENTATION
      3. SAME–DIFFERENT
    2. Chapter 12: Managing Intractable Dilemmas
      1. BIG HAT–LITTLE HAT
      2. RIGHT versus RIGHT
      3. RESOLUTION PRINCIPLES
    3. Chapter 13: Avoiding Tripping Hazards
      1. CHASE–LOSE
      2. PROCESS–CONTENT
      3. SHAPE SHIFTING
    4. Chapter 14: Refusing to Hide Out
      1. VICTIM–LEADER
      2. COURT–LOCKER ROOM
      3. CONFUSION
  13. Part 5: Universal Patterns of Thriving in Ambiguity
    1. Chapter 15: Avoiding Bright and Shiny Objects and Squirrels
      1. A CLEARING
      2. ISSUES FORWARD
    2. Chapter 16: Taking Great Care of Yourself
      1. BE
  14. Conclusion
  15. Notes
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1: Universal Patterns for Leading in Uncertain Times
    3. Chapter 1
    4. Chapter 2
    5. Chapter 3
    6. Part 2: Universal Patterns of Powerful Alliances
    7. Chapter 4
    8. Chapter 5
    9. Chapter 6
    10. Part 3: Universal Patterns of Outstanding Group Performance
    11. Chapter 7
    12. Chapter 8
    13. Chapter 9
    14. Chapter 10
    15. Part 4: Universal Patterns of Group Failure
    16. Chapter 11
    17. Chapter 12
    18. Chapter 13
    19. Chapter 14
    20. Part 5: Universal Patterns of Thriving in Ambiguity
    21. Chapter 15
    22. Chapter 16
  16. Index of the Primes (alphabetical)
  17. About the Author

Product information

  • Title: The Primes: How any Group can Solve any Problem
  • Author(s): CHRIS McGOFF
  • Release date: April 2012
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781118173275