Say Hello to the Elephants
A Four-Part Process for Finding Clarity, Confronting Problems, and Moving On
By: Tony Rose
Published: December 2008
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0981823505
ISBN-13: 978-0981823508
Publisher: RSJ/Swenson LLC
"There they were, the elephants in the room: problems I didn't want to confront, problems I didn't know how to confront, and problems that seemed too big to tackle" writes founding partner of Rose, Snyder & Jacobs and management adviser Tony Rose, in his practical, business problem solving book Say Hello to the Elephants: A Four-Part Process for Finding Clarity, Confronting Problems, and Moving On. The author describes problems as elephants that need to be approached with clarity, and shares his proven techniques for confronting problems and finding solutions.
Tony Rose recognizes the danger of failing to confront problems. If left alone, problems will often find their own outcomes that may be disastrous for both people and the organization. As a result, the author considers it imperative that problems be greeted as opportunities for positive action and change. The book presents a four quadrant matrix for problem analysis that focuses on the following important steps:
* Clarity,
* Solution
* Implement
* Sustain
Tony Rose (photo left) understands the difficulty of addressing the elephants in people's lives and in their businesses. To confront these huge problems, the author recommends assessing the problem, in terms of defining the goals of what is desirable, as a result of solving the problem. With this clarity of purpose in place, workable solutions to achieve those goals can be formulated. When a suitable solution is identified, a plan for its implementation can be set in motion. After the solution is implemented, a plan can be developed to sustain the goals recognized in the search for clarity, that is both flexible and in line with those key goals.
For me, the power of the book is how Tony Rose addresses the serious issue of confronting and solving the most difficult problems in life and business. At the heart of the problem solving aspect of the book is the powerful four quadrant matrix, that enhances focus on the critical elements of the problem solving process. The author's key concept of finding clarity based on individual goals, and not a one size fits all solution, gives the book universal value. Any problem, large or small, can have the four quadrant approach applied to it, even if the problem had seemed unsolvable in the past. The practical, proven techniques presented in the book are bolstered by wonderful and often very humorous anecdotes, that help to reinforce the inner logic of the system.
I highly recommend the essential problem solving and goal achievement book Say Hello to the Elephants: A Four-Part Process for Finding Clarity, Confronting Problems, and Moving On by Tony Rose, to anyone seeking a powerful, results oriented method for addressing the most difficult business and personal problems permanently. Through the author's approach to achieving clarity of vision, no problem is beyond solution. Instead of letting problems become worse, or reaching their own disastrous conclusion, this book teaches a positive and pro-active for reaching success.
Read the indispensable success oriented book Say Hello to the Elephants: A Four-Part Process for Finding Clarity, Confronting Problems, and Moving On by Tony Rose, and remove those elephants from the room forever. Instead of fearing being trampled by an elephant, you will be welcoming them as opportunities to fast track your business and personal success.
