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Health Care Industry

Value Driven Management - Book Review

AORN Journal, Nov, 2003 by Laurie Saletnik

Randolph A. Pohlman and Gareth S. Gardiner, with Ellen M. Heffes 2000, 240 pp $24.95 hardback

This book presents a philosophy of management based on a theory of values--the things people value drive their actions. Today's workers value personal success more than they value organizational success, so profitability should not be the only goal if organizations expect to survive, say the authors. They point out that the values of an organization and its individual employees must be compatible and congruent and must include a sense of purpose beyond making money. For an organization to achieve and maintain success over time, its leaders must integrate eight value drivers into their organization's leadership and decision-making processes.

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The eight value drivers outlined in the book are

* external cultural values,

* organizational cultural values,

* individual employee values,

* customer values,

* supplier values,

* third-party values,

* owner values, and

* competitor values.

The authors describe each value in detail and cite examples of companies that considered the value when making important decisions. The authors then describe companies that did not consider that value and the consequences these companies experienced. The examples come from well known, high-profile cases and include companies in the health care field.

The book is short, easy to read, and useful for anyone who holds an organizational leadership role. Each chapter includes exercises and case studies with questions that leaders can use for discussion or reflection on the chapter's contents. The book provides a practical outline for organizational decision-making based on good judgment and common sense. The authors also include a chapter on how readers can apply this philosophy to their personal lives. I recommend this book to any leader or manager who wants to reestablish a decision-making framework that eliminates quick fixes and provides the tools necessary for achieving success.

This book is available from Amacom, 16011 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, http://www.amanet.org.

LAURIE SALETNIK

RN, BSN

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SURGICAL NURSING

JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

BALTIMORE

Health Care Industry

Value Driven Management - Book Review

AORN Journal, Nov, 2003 by Laurie Saletnik

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