Denise Morris Kipnis's Top Book Recommendations

Denise Morris KipnisThis book really put into relief the options we have for how we help organizations. Whose needs are we really working? Are we consulting for ourselves, for them, or a combination? Are we creating codependency or building capacity? I first read this book in graduate school, and whether intentional or not, it served as a great counterpoint to Peter Block’s Flawless Consulting. While Block presents... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisMy undergraduate studies focused was on English literature and Communication. I developed an affinity for 18th Century literature, can’t really say why…This book struck me because of the strong female lead. In an era where there were few options for women, the lead character puts her independence above all else, uncompromisingly. I reread it when I need reminding that feminism means being able to... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisMost recently, I was working in a climate I found personally challenging. There was bad behavior, excessive secrecy and politics, dishonesty…And the impact of all this was that the very loyal corps of employees were increasingly demoralized and fearful, which in turn negatively affected innovation and productivity. As I was interviewing one of the employees, trying to put them at ease but also... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisDr. Worley was my professor in grad school, and his sessions as well as this book seeded the concept behind ChangeFlow: that change is non-linear, in motion, complex. And approaches to organizational change that entertain stasis just don’t work. (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: In addition to Built to Change, Process Consultation, and Flawless Consulting, I would add: The Wisdom of Teams by Katzenbach & Smith Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture by Cameron & Quinn Designing Organizations by Galbraith Understanding Research Methods by Patten Competitive... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisI was serving on the board of a prestigious and exclusive school when I first read this. As part of the school’s commitment to inclusion, every group, including the board, went through diversity training. Our consultant, Glenn Singleton of Pacific Education Group, never let us forget why we were there: that improving outcomes for all our students was a business imperative. As a result of this... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: In addition to Built to Change, Process Consultation, and Flawless Consulting, I would add: The Wisdom of Teams by Katzenbach & Smith Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture by Cameron & Quinn Designing Organizations by Galbraith Understanding Research Methods by Patten Competitive... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: In addition to Built to Change, Process Consultation, and Flawless Consulting, I would add: The Wisdom of Teams by Katzenbach & Smith Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture by Cameron & Quinn Designing Organizations by Galbraith Understanding Research Methods by Patten Competitive... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: In addition to Built to Change, Process Consultation, and Flawless Consulting, I would add: The Wisdom of Teams by Katzenbach & Smith Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture by Cameron & Quinn Designing Organizations by Galbraith Understanding Research Methods by Patten Competitive... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisI’ve just finished Y is for Yesterday, by Sue Grafton. I’m bereft because of her passing, and because her Alphabet Mysteries series is unfinished. I was expecting, and I got, the satisfaction and comfort of visiting a past and parallel version of a place I know well (Santa Barbara, CA), and connecting with a beloved character who is doing a job the old-fashioned way. Kinsey Millhone is a private... (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: In addition to Built to Change, Process Consultation, and Flawless Consulting, I would add: The Wisdom of Teams by Katzenbach & Smith Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture by Cameron & Quinn Designing Organizations by Galbraith Understanding Research Methods by Patten Competitive... (Source)

Nate Bowling (Is Thankful For A/c)I'm reading "Kindred" by Octavia Butler. I can't do it justice on this silly platform. The book is grim in its depiction of slavery, insightful about modern racial dynamics, and contains the best execution of time travel, as a plot device, you'll ever read. https://t.co/Z4J4jlQbwG (Source)

Denise Morris KipnisThis was a tough book for me, brought me to tears. Imagine having to save your slave master, because he’s your ancestor? A wonderful study in empathy, the nature of humanity, and how we’re all intertwined. After reading this book I refocused my practice from diversity to inclusion. (Source)

Alison AlvarezI have one friend who unfailingly recommends books that I love. She is a high school English teacher. She recommended Kindred by Octavia Butler, which is just an amazing work of science fiction. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, but just trust me that it’s a good read. (Source)