Book club summary #20 - The Responsibility Virus
Roger Martin’s The Responsibility Virus was the book club’s 20th selection, marking a return to the theme of organizational dynamics, previously visited in First Break All The Rules (book 12).
Though the author makes strained analogies to the laws of physics, the book offers dead-on insights as to the process by which individuals abdicate or usurp responsibility for workplace initiatives. Examples might be how employees buy out of a management initiative (as opposed to buying into it), or how a supervisor might meddle intrusively in a struggling subordinate’s project.
Fortunately, the book offers suggestions — born from Martin’s experience as a consultant — to resolve these issues. And more fortunately still, the methods are of the “ensuring everyone’s concerns are met” variety, as opposed to the ever-popular “manipulate others’ behaviour” type.
As always, if you enjoy the book summary, please consider supporting the author by purchasing the book. 
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