Margaret A. Heffernan

This book is about the way in which we go along with things; the way in which we fail to take control. Heffernan looks at the BP crisis, the mortgage disaster and many other crises. In many cases there were people who had access to information that made clear the scale of a disaster, or its likelihood. They chose to ignore the facts: why? In most cases, not because of criminal fraud, but because they did not feel strong enough to stand up to authority or, even more disturbingly, in a lot of show more cases, they felt that authority must be right.

Reading this book is a bit like being asked what you would do faced by a homicidal maniac waving a gun at an innocent child: the answer is that one would leap at the miscreant, wrestle the gun from his hands and make a citizen's arrest. In reality, would one do that, or decide that such actions would "endanger the child" and thus leave one, reluctantly (relieved?) to let matters proceed?

When I started reading I was thinking, "I don't believe that people could be as silly as to behave like this." As I progressed through the book, my reaction changed to an acceptance that other people could be so foolish and, as I approached the end, I finally allowed that, in the right (or wrong) circumstances, I would do as these people had done.

This is not a critical book. It does not belittle the people who failed to act, it examines the reasons and challenges the reader to, hand on heart, say that they would have done differently. Having read this, I wish that I could say that, even if I might have done some of these things previously, I am now immune. I cannot. What I can say is that I am armed with the information as to how to recognise the warning signs and, were everybody so to be, the World would be a better place. This book is required reading by... well, everyone. show less

Fascinating book about why a lot of people choose to ignore fatal facts that threaten us. She talks about Enron, an unsafe oil platform that exploded, and other events. She uses brain studies, etc. It hit home. I'm prone to dismiss uncomfortable things. Shows value of honesty and avoiding being a yes-person and seeking out criticism.

I'll pass on this one. It's one of those very long books that builds its case anecdotally. It reminds me of those irritating semi-documentaries that present a kaleidoscope of talking heads and leave you feeling vertiginous. It's a shame, since I agree with the author's point and therefore wanted to like the book. You may have more patience for this style of writing.

I initially felt like this was a three star book. On further reflection I am downgrading to two.

The main problem with Beyond Measure is that it is fluff. I find that most business books are. I appreciate that this one is thinner than most and has added less fluff to fill out its core premise. However, the core premise that a few tiny changes will significantly change an organization is poorly supported and a little too airy to be actionable.

Heffernan delivers a lot of anecdotes about small show more moves that had big impacts. She is short on detail. I do believe that culture is important and has a major influence on productivity. But, I am skeptical about how the coffee break really changes the culture. I think there were more efforts at cultural change at work that she has glossed over in favor of making a click-bait type lead. This is a common flaw in business books and is slightly worse than average here. show less