Book Synopsis Endorsement Book Reviews Order Info

Rob Lebow, best selling author of the 1990 book, A Journey into the Heroic Environment (over 300,000 copies sold), now follows with his second in this series, Accountability, with co-author, Randy Spitzer. Rob's first book, Journey, pioneered the idea of Shared Values as the best way to manage an organization which he called the Heroic Environment. This groundbreaking work was followed by his collaboration on Lasting Change in 1998, with best-selling author William Simon.

The book is written for every member of an organization and its message has many levels to explore and discuss. Like a page-turning novel, the lead character reveals the answer: "If you control people, they'll never be accountable, responsible and ethical!" It's Freedom-Based Thinking, not Control-Based Thinking, that needs to be embraced and this is wonderfully revealed in the story of five strangers on a train ride from Denver to Los Angeles during the holiday season. The story is about a serious topic but is presented in a fun and interesting manner.

The main message is simple: In a Control-Based environment, values cannot survive, even if the operation has values statements plastered on every wall. And, in a Freedom-Based organization, freedom cannot survive with out values shared by everyone.

Endorsement of Shared Values and Freedom-Based Work Environments: “Thanks for your kind remarks about Joy at Work. I read your book [Accountability—Freedom and Responsibility without Control] after leaving AES and sent it to many of my friends at the company to let them know that other thoughtful people believed in these radical ideas as well. Maybe they aren’t so radical. Your book was very encouraging and helped me to be truthful and bold. Dennis Bakke, Retired CEO of AES Corporation

Book Reviews: (from amazon.com)
"As an independent consultant who left the confines of corporate America to be "free," this book has supplied many answers.

Rob & Randy have captured what many of us have been thinking - There must be a better way! They have reassured us who know that the way we manage has to change to be successful in the future. And, best of all they have put together some guidelines and a program to make it happen.

For any company owner or president who is serious about making changes and treating people respectfully, this is a must-read."

- - - Mary Bresnahan of the Bresnahan Group (Wheaton, IL USA)

"This is a must-read book if you are a CEO and you know where you are today is not where you should be or can be. If you feel your company is doing well but there is something missing, somewhere you need to be leading your company, you can sense it but you can't quite put your finger on it - read the BOOK!

Here's why. As a CPA I have been helping business leaders take fresh looks at their businesses, transforming them from ordinary businesses to better businesses for over thirty years. I have guided them through policy & procedure redesign, reengineering, incentive pay design/pay for performance compensation planning, performance measurement design and benchmarking, balanced scorecard and more. These companies have improved their bottom line. But it has always resulted in the sacrifice of something else in the business and the results are hard to sustain. I believe the missing links are shared values,real accountability, and a work environment where employees are free to choose to be accountable and own their jobs. Those are the missing links necessary to transform organizational culture and turn ordinary businesses into extraordinary enterprises.

Lebow and Spitzer have created a process based on their own research and that of other leading consultants and researchers. A process that can be duplicated in your business, no matter how large or small. A process that engages your employees, from line positions all the way to the top. Many researchers have found some of the links, identified the companies that have done it, know the elements that distinguish the great companies from good companies, but don't have all the pieces or a process to make the leap.

In this book Lebow and Spitzer have really hit a home run!! The book's format is a refreshing narrative that tells the story of how the process works, why it works and who can make the leap. Every CEO, COO, CFO, division manager, plant manager, supervisor, regardless of the industry, government agency or non-profit organization, should read this book.

Your own organizational transformation may be as close as your choice to read the book - Accountability, Freedom and Responsibility Without Control. Without question, this is a book whose time has come."

- - - bross206 (Jacksonville, FL United States)