THE OZ PRINCIPLE Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability

Narrator Wayne Shepherd’s delivery is as strong and clear as the writing in this straight-ahead lesson on accountability. But his phrasing sounds repetitive, which makes his performance sound less spontaneous or authentic than it could be. The authors say that, just as the Wizard of Oz heroes found their own power, organizations get better results when people believe they can be accountable. The four steps to accountability—or, “above-the-line” functioning—are to see the goal or problem, own it, solve it, and take action. Using vivid examples from familiar organizations such as Enron and NASA, they show how to transform “below-the-line” habits like denial, making excuses, and shifting blame. They offer a well-crafted reminder that helplessness can creep into any organization’s culture and short-circuit people’s desire for to do their best. T.W. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2011]