The Management Myth, Matthew Stewart
The Management Myth, Matthew Stewart
1 Rating(s)
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The Management Myth
Why the “Experts” Keep Getting It Wrong

Author: Matthew Stewart

Narrator: William Hughes

Unabridged: 10 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook (DRM Protected)

Published: 08/10/2009

Synopsis

Fresh from Oxford with a degree in philosophy and no particular interest in business, Matthew Stewart might not have seemed a likely candidate to become a consultant. Striking fear into the hearts of clients with his sharp analytical tools, Stewart lived in hotel rooms and got fat on expense account cuisine—until, finally, he decided to turn his merciless, penetrating eye on the management industry itself.Providing a bitingly funny account of his own hands-on experience in a management consulting firm along with a devastating critique of management “philosophy” and the theoretical underpinnings of contemporary fads in efficiency improvement, empowerment, and strategy, Stewart lays bare how little consultants have really done for the business of others—while making a killing for themselves.

About Matthew Stewart

Matthew Stewart is a former management consultant and the author of the acclaimed The Courtier and the Heretic: Leibniz, Spinoza, and the Fate of God in the Modern World. He lives with his family in Santa Barbara, California.

About William Hughes

William Hughes is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A professor of political science at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, he received his doctorate in American politics from the University of California at Davis. He has done voice-over work for radio and film and is also an accomplished jazz guitarist.

Reviews

Goodreads review by David on April 29, 2010

Years ago I had read Tom Peters' "In Search of Excellence". At the time, I thought it was a great book--because it has such a populist slant. Matthew Stewart has lots of things to say about Peters, his books and seminars. Mostly, Stewart claims that "In Search of Excellence" is not based on good res......more

Goodreads review by James on July 22, 2018

For people of a certain age (people about 10 years older than me and younger than me, born between the end of the 70s and the present) business consulting has been mystified into the ultimate prestige job. It turns out that it's a hoax. We should not feel bad about ourselves for not getting that job......more

Goodreads review by Greg on April 02, 2012

Is there anything more absurd than trying to measure something that can’t be measured? In my opinion, most performance reviews are an utter waste of time because they try to measure things that can’t or shouldn’t be measured. The most important aspects of many jobs can’t be measured, but managers (u......more

Goodreads review by Chris on November 05, 2010

A good but not a great book that is mildly entertaining because of Stewart's personal experiences in the consulting industry. This book hopefully will persuade some managers and C levels to think twice about paying for consulting "experts" when they could employ their own experts - if they don't alr......more

Goodreads review by Mary on April 26, 2018

I really enjoyed this book. The author explores the history and claims of management consulting. He exposes many of the professions most well-loved stories and gurus, including Frederick Taylor, Peter Drucker, and Tom Peters. He criticizes the pseudo-science used to "prove" the worth of management t......more

Quotes

“Stewart’s wit and fluent prose make this book a fascinating read.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Gleefully revealing the magician’s tricks, Stewart takes readers on a whirlwind tour of how this industry came to be a powerhouse. Filled with fascinating insider anecdotes and featuring a who’s who in the consulting world, including Peter Drucker, Michael Porter and Bruce Henderson, this wry, absorbing book will enlighten executives about the value consultants actually bring to their clients.” Publishers Weekly

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