A few of the books in my leadership, management and organizational design library unfold in dialogue form. One that stands out is The Art of Profitability by Adrian Slywotzky, and Mastering Change is also one. Written as a conversation between Ichak Adizes and a student of his, the conversation explores all the elements of the Adizes theory of management that converge on a core model of the Adizes Methodology called the "management map". While the general outline of the map has remained the same over time, this is a model that undergoes some modification as people in the Adizes ecosystem expand their activities and refine their models. But even though some parts of the map have evolved since this book was written, it remains a highly accessible way into the Adizes way of thinking. The Q&A format gives you a very natural way into this rich and vibrant approach to organizational mastery.

While the management map is the tool used to explain how all the components of Adizes organizational thinking interoperate, explaining that model is not the goal of the book - just like it is not the goal of the Methodology. The goal of the Adizes Methodology - at the level of organizational stakeholders - is "MTR": Mutual Trust and Respect.

MTR is viewed as the generative core of organizational success, and the goal of the Methodology is to feed that core. Not by exhortation however. Adizes practitioners won't lecture you on MTR thinking that discussing it will produce it. Instead, they focus on making all the things happen that will cause MTR to arise in organizational life - like business success, recognition and integration of complementary talents, reliable systems, the ability to announce performance targets and hit or exceed them, the ability to innovate in the face of change, etc. etc. etc. As that track record of success grows, so does MTR, which feeds additional success - crudely speaking.

For a guided tour on how the Adizes Methodology accomplishes its goals, Mastering Change is a fantastic way to start. ( )