Book Summary: What Is The Emperor Wearing?

This article is based on the following book:

What Is The Emperor Wearing?
Truth-Telling In Business Relationships
Butterworth-Heinneman
ISBN 0-7506-9872-1
217 pages

This book is inspired by the popular tale "The Emperor's New Clothes". It provides stories of ordinary individuals in the workplace who are in the predicament of confronting the unlikely benefits of "deception" and steering away from the risks and dangers of "truth-telling".

Unfortunately, "truth-telling" is justifiably perceived to be difficult, risky, and unrewarding. More often than not, others will try to invalidate your truth with what they believe is true rather than discover the true nature of the problem.

Take the case of Rita. She tried to tell the truth to her manager, Kerwin, but he refused to listen. Her predictions were correct, but it was only after the scandal broke out in the media that Kerwin realized it. Clearly, Rita's truth was ignored.

Robert, however, was reluctant to accept that his store manager was stealing supplies from his dry cleaning establishment. Robert lost money in a store that seemed to be doing very good business simply because he'd rather not know what the truth is.

Truth-telling has become more risky and difficult to some of the characters in the book. Basically, they had hard times telling the truth when:

  • the truth is bad news

  • the truths collide-that is, when your truth gets fabricated along the way

  • you'd be happier if you know what the truth is

  • you're not sure if your truth is really true

  • your integrity is sacrificed

  • it makes better sense not to tell the truth

The genuine stories of Rita, Robert and the other characters of the book proved the profitable side of truth-telling. In the long run, it has become obvious that truth-telling is always more beneficial than "deception". To practice the skill the following is recommended:

  • Examine Assumptions. With the fear of jeopardizing her position by confronting the manager, Kathleen decided to carefully examine her opinion that her boss is behaving inappropriately at meetings they attended. Eventually, it dawned on her that her objectives are different from his.

  • Know Yourself First. Irwin, a telecommunications executive, was not aware of his alcohol problems. It took near disaster before he realized this. Looking back, Irwin identified that incident as a major turning point in his life and career.

  • Use Your Intuition to Guide You. Elizabeth rarely understood the reason for crying at meetings. When the team examined the situation more carefully, they discovered that Elizabeth's intuition was warning them when something subtle was wrong with some proposed action.

  • The Truth Will Set You Free, but First It May Make You Mad. Pete's team confronted him on his ineffective leadership style. It was difficult to hear the negative feedback, but as he listened and responded, the team members' animosity changed to offers of help and support.

  • Get the Information You Need Without Being Gullible or Paranoid.

  • Ask Questions with Grace and Skill.

  • Tell Your Truth with Compassion for Yourself and Others. Valerie struggled with herself about how to inform her client that she suspected he was using drugs. As she prepared him for job interviews, she started to think that other interviewers might notice the subtle symptoms and mannerisms she had observed in him. She carefully examined her own internal conversation and her fear of alienating her client. Her commitment to her own integrity helped her find an appropriate way to take the necessary risk while continuing to support her client.

  • The "What I Feel Like Saying" Process. Staff meetings were becoming a waste of time in Monica's mortgage banking office. Staff members would come late, leave early, and barely pretend to participate. Introducing a simple exercise at the start of each weekly meeting allowed everyone to gradually learn to work together more effectively.

  • Is Something Sinister Going On? Everyone at the meeting was frustrated. People were repeating their points several times, but they were not reaching any resolution. A simple matter that should have taken five minutes had been debated for an hour. After a brief recess, Barry raised a new issue that concerned everyone. When the discussion of the new topic was completed, they went back to considering the original issue, and they reached agreement on a solution almost immediately.

  • Using Agreements to Create Dialogue Instead of Conflict. It is important for any truth teller to realize that your truth is not THE TRUTH, and neither is anyone else's. Exploring different perspectives on the truth instead of arguing about which is correct can best be accomplished in a safe environment. A variety of organizations use an ever-evolving set of agreements to create and maintain a context in which truth-telling can occur.

About The Author

Summary By: Regine P. Azurin, http://www.bizsum.com

"A Lot Of Great Books....Too Little Time To Read"

Free Book Summaries Of Latest Bestsellers for Busy Executives and Entrepreneurs, Mailto:freearticle@bizsum.com

BusinessSummaries is a BusinessSummaries.com service.

(c) Copyright 2001-2002, BusinessSummaries.com - Wisdom In A Nutshell

samantha@bizsum.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Story Structure - Three Heroes

Three Heroes Story Structure follows the Hero's Journey mould but... Read More

The New Art of War, Tactics, and Power

To rise and flourish in the world, you need to... Read More

Review: eBook Secrets Exposed

If you want to make a lot of money with... Read More

Fire in the Ice: Book Review

"An excellent novel that will wring tears of frustration and... Read More

Chris Carpenters Google Cash - An Ebook Review

It is rare to find a brand new blueprint for... Read More

Book Summary : The E-Myth Revisited

Ever wonder why most small businesses-- no matter how huge... Read More

The Legend of Juggin Joe - Review

The Legend of Juggin' Joe is a fiction based on... Read More

E-books in Your Life

E-Books are making a big impact in the way we... Read More

Nice Girls Don?t Get the Corner Office 101 - A Book Summary

Dr. Frankel clearly identifies the common mistakes ?101 in all-that... Read More

Book Summary: What Is The Emperor Wearing?

This article is based on the following book:What Is The... Read More

Undercurrent Blues Has A Rhythm of Its Own - Poetry Book Review

On July 17, 2005 Cahuenga Press released Undercurrent Blues by... Read More

Atlantis Rises Book

Chapter one: Baby on the doorstep.It was one of those... Read More

Book Review: The NEW Game Of Business

If you think you've seen and heard everything there is... Read More

The Inspired Heart: A Book Review

Spiritual food for the soul: Allow Jerry to take you... Read More

Book Release: Ginas Poems - Adventures in Love

Book Release: Gina's Poems -- Adventures in Love Written... Read More

Metaphorically Selling

The Big IdeaA lot of people consider selling a very... Read More

Getting Hip

Getting Hip by Sigrid Macdonald is a delicate story of... Read More

Ebook Review: How To Write And Publish Your Own eBook In As Little As 7 Days

Jim Edwards and Joe Vitale who are both well known... Read More

Product Review: Quick and Easy Ways to Instantly Mine Pure Gold from WordTracker

The other day I was surfing the net looking for... Read More

Ideas Are Free - A Book Summary

Without great ideas, no organization can stay afloat, much less... Read More

Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine:

Title: Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big... Read More

Book Review: Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands {How To Do Business In Sixty Countries}

Kiss, Bow, Or Shake Hands: How To Do Business In... Read More

Multi-talented Author Joseph Yakel Releases Both Historical and Comedy Works

Author Joseph Yakel is leading a two-pronged charge to provide... Read More

The Legend of Juggin Joe - A Preview of the Comedy Sensation You Dont Want to Miss!

THE FROGGIN INCIDENTAs I recall this particular happenin', which we... Read More

Call Me Mommy - Book Review

Retired police captain, Marshall Frank, has written another excellent read... Read More

Business Plans

Way back in business school we had to churn out... Read More

The Rich Jerk - A Study in Anti-Marketing

I've always been fascinated by "anti-marketing", and how powerful its... Read More

Book Review: Seth Godin - All Marketers Are Liars

Let me start with a small disclaimer: I am a... Read More

Giving Feedback or Writing Reviews of Bad Stuff

Some book reviewers say that when they don't like a... Read More

Kmarts Ten Deadly Sins - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins: How Incompetence Tainted an American Icon... Read More

Do You Know How to Buy and Read eBooks!

Now, I know what you're probably thinking, "Reading and eBook... Read More

Book Review: What Color Is Your Parachute?

What Color is Your Parachute? Reviewed by: Matt Keegan ©... Read More

Book review on Finite Capacity Scheduling, Part II

Now add ten more car wash trucks, with the corresponding... Read More