How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work: Seven Languages for Transformation

I first read this book in 2004, and have reread it several times. The four-column exercise is really powerful. Highly recommended!

One of the chief obstacles we face as executive coaches is the apparent inability and/or unwillingness of our clients to complete the changes to which they have given what appears to be whole-hearted endorsement and commitment. Without these fundamental changes taking place, the enterprise is often stuck in a rut of repetition and entropy.In this well-written and well-thought-out book, the authors present a new way of getting through any necessary change, by introducing the "Seven Languages of Transformation". We learn how the resistance to change is really a fundamental process of our personal "immune" system, and changes in individual behaviors are necessary to overcome this obstacle. The book is laid out in a step-by-step method to achieve these behavioral changes through seven new "languages" that we must learn to speak to ourselves and those we lead and coach.For example, the first new "language" they discuss is learning to take a "complaint" about something going wrong as actually a reflection of a "commitment" to a better way. The person making the complaint is asked to restate the complaint in the terms of the positive commitment that is implied. A negative situation is thus turned into a positive, transformational one that gets things going in the right direction for a change. The positive movement achieved by the application of each new "language" leads to the next mental hurdle, for which the authors provide another new "language" to handle. The book includes many step-by-step worksheets for the reader to use individually or with a partner, to apply the principles to a real-life problem they may be working through.The authors are developmental psychologists working chiefly in academia, so their examples are a little top-heavy with educational situations. The examples are universal and transferable to the business world, however, so this is a minor complaint. The book as a whole is quite free of psycho-babble and mumbo-jumbo, and can bring the reader to an exciting and novel way of changing the way we do business, and changing something fundamental in ourselves. I recommend it most highly.  How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work: Seven Languages for Transformation

"How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work" is a book about change and transformation. More specifically, Kegan and Lahey (the authors) cover seven "languages" that can be adopted in the service of overcoming resistance to change.For readers who might be familiar with Robert Kegan, the lead author of this book, "How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work" covers some of Kegan's insightful...and complex...thinking from one of his earlier publications,  The Evolving Self: Problem and Process in Human Development . That point not withstanding, the publication underlying this review is a fairly basic and simple read."How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work," while somewhat simple and basic in design and content, is a worthwhile read for those readers interested in how language can influence and impact change and transformation. Given the rapidly changing nature of today's world, I found the content of this publication both insightful and useful.I recommend this book to a broad base of readers...specifically those with an interest in how they might influence change. For those with a desire to learn more about some of the general thinking underlying this book, I recommend  The Evolving Self: Problem and Process in Human Development .

I have not completed reading this book yet, but after only a few pages, I had enough new ideas to have a vigorous discussion with my work partner. It tied in very succinctly with things that we've considered matters of concern in the course of our work as professional developers in a large urban school district. We know that administrators and teachers have the best intentions in mind, and yet we seem to make so little progress towards our goals. This book clarifies why that is (dynamic equilibrium)and outlines strategies that can break that cycle. I'm excited to read more and apply what I learn.This book's ideas can apply to so many venues; business, education, volunteer organizations and in our personal lives too. I highly recommend it!

Organizations, however large or small, have problems with communication. Kegan and Lahey's book addresses these problems in an orderly way, building a tool kit through several of internal and social interactions that address the causes and cures of the communication distortions. Their clear presentation of what you say, the way you say it and to whom you say it, cuts through the justifications, and blames we use to slave our egos. It also cuts to the core of the many problems caused by invoking a third party.The clear questions the authors present for analyzing the problems and correcting the situation are tough and to the point. If you are not serious about improving yourself first and the organization second, read something else, but don't engage in BMW (Bitching Moaning and Whining) about it.Their approach will not be easy to read nor easy to apply. Every part that you understand and apply will improve your communication in every aspect of you life. Expect to spend the rest of your life learning and applying their methods. It will be painful at times, but rewarding.

This book is a jewel of clarity, insight and a step-by-step transformational process. I'm using it, not only in my own organization but with clients in senior roles in their organizations. The steps lead to profound changes in perception and motivation - and that leads to behaviour change. I've experienced it and witnessed. Thanks to Kegan and Lahey for building on their "Immunity to Change" process with this very specific and practical application.

Very assessable

ok

Voici une étape importante de ce que, rétrospectivement, on peut considérer comme un "work in progress". L'étape suivante, concrétisée par le livre "Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization", présente la forme aboutie d'un processus en 4 étapes pour faire émerger les croyances profondes erronées qui empêchent de mettre en place les comportements adaptés qu'une situation impose. Ce dernier livre développe davantage le point faible de celui objet de cette critique : la manière de désactiver ces croyances.Par rapport à "Immunity to change", la lecture de "How the way we talk..." nous conduit sur une voie intéressante que les auteurs, professeurs à Harvard ont abandonnée par la suite, et qui consiste à prendre le langage comme point d'entrée et témoin de l'évolution vers un rapport adaptée à la réalité, cheminement qui peut être individuel ou collectif. Il vaut, de ce point vue, d'être lu, en complément de leur dernier opus.Cette méthodologie aussi élégante que puissante ouvre un chemin de vérité et de liberté, ce qui n'est pas un mince apport. Pour ceux qui s'intéressent à l'apprentissage organisationnel ou à la conduite du changement, ils trouveront dans cette approche une brique qui apporte un complément opérationnel qui leur faisait défaut.L'écriture de ce livre est claire, très accessible et très didactique. On en ressort enrichi et enthousiaste à l'idée qu'il n'y a pas de fatalité à être contraint par nos schémas de pensée erronés.

Probably worth 3 stars but no more. Basically a recollection of ideas and summary of points made by other authors on the topic. It is well written and seminal in the ability to span many disciplines to make some important points. But there are better books and this is more a reminder to what I had covered 10 years ago in the field of semiotics or communication in relation to change. Substantial work, but not making a significant, new contribution.