Pigeonholed in the Land of Penguins: A Tale of Seeing Beyond Stereotypes - Softcover

Hateley, Barbara "BJ"; Schmidt, Warren H.

3.79

566 ratings by Goodreads

9780814470756: Pigeonholed in the Land of Penguins: A Tale of Seeing Beyond Stereotypes

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0814470750 ISBN 13: 9780814470756

Publisher: Amacom Books, 2000

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Paula Pigeon is depressed. She's got a great idea for solving a company problem, but no one will listen to her--after all, she's just a pigeon!

In the Land of Penguins (situated somewhere on the shores of the Sea of Organizations), only penguins get their way. All the other birds--hawks, eagles, parrots, swans--are relegated to "what they do best." But when a company crisis arises, Paula seizes the opportunity and shows those conformist penguin leaders that you can't judge a bird by its feathers--not if you want a creative solution.

In this delightful parable (a follow-up to the highly successful A Peacock in the Land of Penguins), Hateley, Schmidt, and Weiss have collaborated again to create witty narration and wry illustrations. The story of Paula and her fowl friends demonstrates how organizations must become much better at capturing the talents, energy, and commitment of all employees (if they want breakthrough ideas). How? By focusing on diversity, creativity, and teamwork--and avoiding pigeon-holing at all costs!

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About the Author:

Barbara Hateley, Warren H. Schmidt, and Sam Weiss (all in the Los Angeles area) collaborated on A Peacock in the Land of Penguins, the prequel to this book. Hateley is president of Peacock Productions, a human resources training company. Schmidt is professor emeritus of the University of Southern California and UCLA, and president of Chrysalis, Inc., a management training company. Weiss is an illustrator, animator, and filmmaker, whose films have included The Legend of John Henry and The Wrong Way Kid.

From Publishers Weekly:

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.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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