Life in Process

I just finished this book. If you don't know Pat Lencioni, you might want to pick this book up anyway. More often than not, Lencioni is commenting on organizations, structure, leadership, vision, etc., etc., etc. But, this time he takes aim at something we all have been a part of in some form or another: a family.

I don't want to spoil the book as it is a pretty simple, and easy read. However, in the end, Lencioni says that families ought to view themselves as organizations, and as a result ask themselves a couple of important questions.

First, what makes your family unique? That is to say, what sets your family apart from every other one on the block? What is the unique blend of values, goals, aspirations, etc., that you share as a family unit

Secondly, Lencioni asks people to consider the question: What is our rally cry? Essentially, he is saying that if even for only a short period of time, each family has a goal, a focus, a common set of priorities that ties them all together.

Finally, Lencioni asks people to consider how their own family shares the answers to the first two questions.

In the end, I have to say that I like the book. Do do think that it lends itself to some version of a family unit that exists only in the suburbs of North America. However, that having been said, there are certainly a shwack of families that fit that criteria be they blended, traditional, mixed in some way, same sex, - whatever. In each case, it would seem to me that the questions he poses, at least for this segment of our society are worth thinking about.

So, what is it that makes your family unique? What is the unique constellation of values, goals, shared experiences and objectives that all combine to make the family that you are a part of?