Rethinking the Role of Relationships in the Moral Fiber of Our Companies and Our Communities

 

snap in your seatbelt
August 28, 2002

Reviewer: Dennis F. Reese
President, The DFR Group
Medina, OH

The Greatest Good is a roadmap for improving the creative process regardless of the event or the environment. A quick read book, it provides a framework oriented to improve the end product deliverable. The book examines the 'creative interchange' concept as formulated by Dr. Henry Wieman to assist with achieving openness in communicating ideas, relationships and in everyday human encounters, including business, community and personal transactions.

The authors through a unique format, present and revitalize Dr. Wieman's philosophical yet practical approach, and discuss many of the attitude obstacles and cooperation barriers experienced in the creative process. The book, through hypothetical conversation with Dr. Wieman, suggests every human has the same craving for respect and understanding, but learned, acquired and institutional training to the contrary have often blocked the delivery of the "greatest good" in the results or an end product. The book and its 'creative interchange' message combines common sense courtesy and the spirit of the golden rule and leads the reader to understand how to apply the combination to a goal-oriented challenge. For the individual or a task leader, implementing the authors' roadmap for Dr. Wieman's vision by having everyone rid themselves of their evasiveness defenses may be difficult and a challenge. From a personal perspective, it was easy to recognize how I had both knowingly and unknowingly employed evasive actions and attitudes opposite in spirit of the The Greatest Good message.

The potential for improved results and a variety of fulfillment rewards from Dr. Wieman's work and the authors' guidance are within reach. The results and fulfillment rewards may be more easily claimed through increased awareness of or a willingness to try the 'creative exchange' process. In either case, the authors' provide a framework model for use in either a self-growth mode for the individual or for an entire organization.

At various times during a lifetime, individuals and organizations are placed in leader and participant roles. Dr. Wieman and the authors illustrate how openness in the creative process can achieve the "greatest good" in either the leader or participant role. Employing the 'creative interchange' process appears to be a logical pathway for positive results by business leaders, family members, nations, communities and every talent pool facing a challenge.

Clearly everyone wants more successes and fewer detours. If there is a desire for increasing the odds for success on the roadway ahead ... read The Greatest Good, snap in your seatbelt and join in on the 'creative interchange' journey.