{"product_id":"the-shibumi-strategy-isbn-9780470769508","title":"The Shibumi Strategy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGold Medal Winner, Business Fable, 2012 Axiom Business Book Awards\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA personal leadership fable on applying principles of Zen to work \u0026amp; life choices.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e is a little book about a big breakthrough. It tells the story of a hardworking family man who finds himself in crisis when his company closes. Through his struggle, and guidance from unlikely sources, he learns subtle lessons in the form of “personal zen” principles, coming to understand that it is often the involuntary challenge, the setbacks, that harbor the power to transform. When approached as an opportunity — no easy task when simple survival is the first order of business—unforeseen trials can sometimes result in an altogether new lease on life.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eShows how \"personal leadership\" can lead to real (and not always easy) breakthroughs\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes key lessons on commitment, preparation, struggle, breakthrough, and transformation\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIs based on \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eShibumi,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e a Japanese word without literal definition that describes the height of personal excellence, elegant performance, and effortless effectiveness. \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor those struggling with personal breakthroughs, \u003ci\u003eThe Shubimi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e offers a new way to face work and life challenges for balanced solutions.\u003c\/p\u003e  Introduction.  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE FABLE.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Breakthrough.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE PRACTICUM.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNote to Reader.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReflections on Shibumi.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKata for Practice.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotes and References.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading and Resources.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout the Author.\u003c\/p\u003e   \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMATTHEW E. MAY\u003c\/b\u003e is an internationally recognized innovation author, design strategist, and columnist for the American Express OPEN Forum Idea Hub. He is a popular speaker and master \u003ci\u003ekaizen\u003c\/i\u003e coach, working with organizations all over the world. His previous books include \u003ci\u003eIn\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003ePursuit of Elegance\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Elegant Solution\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives in Southern California.    \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"What if we are constantly being sent signals and offered opportunities, but because we are so involved in our mad rush to survive the day that we simply don't receive them? What if we're stuck, asleep at the wheel, and we just don't know it, because our conventional ways of thinking, rigidly structured routines, and solidly set minds block us from discovering what the universe is calling us to do?\"\u003cbr\u003e  FROM THE INTRODUCTION  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e is a little book about a big breakthrough. It tells the story of Andy Harmon, a hardworking family man who finds himself in crisis when his company closes. Through his struggle, and guidance from unlikely sources, he learns subtle lessons in Zen principles, coming to understand that it is often the unexpected setbacks that harbor the power to transform. When approached as an opportunity, these unforeseen trials can often result in a life-changing breakthrough. For Andy, it comes in the form of \u003ci\u003eshibumi\u003c\/i\u003e—a Zen concept without direct translation in English but connoting effortless effectiveness, elegant simplicity, and the height of personal excellence.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngaging and enlightening, \u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e provides a pathway for a five-phase cycle, encompassing lessons on commitment, preparation, struggle, breakthrough, and transformation. Also included are short insights, practical takeaways, and exercises for incorporating this philosophy in everyday life.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned to strike a universal chord, Andy's journey toward \u003ci\u003eshibumi\u003c\/i\u003e enables individuals to adopt their own interpretations of the concept and create meaningful changes in their lives. For those navigating difficult transitions, struggling to overcome internal setbacks, seeking to regain balance, or simply taking new directions, \u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e offers a fresh perspective on the challenges we all face at some point in work and life.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor more information, please visit:\u003cbr\u003e www.shibumistrategy.com, become a Shibumi fan on Facebook, and download the Shibumi app from iTunes.   With this short, simple fable, Matthew May manages to illuminate an all-too-common career crisis with Zen insights and concepts that not only provoke thought but also give readers powerful strategies to tackle change, challenge, and opportunity.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Gretchen Rubin, author, \u003ci\u003eThe Happiness Project\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Matt May has written a little book full of big ideas.  Drawing from ancient Zen practice and applying those principles to modern life, he shows how you can turn the obstacles in your path into opportunities to transform your career, perhaps even your life.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Daniel H. Pink, author, \u003ci\u003eDrive\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eA Whole New Mind\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Matt's done it again: shown us how to break out of constraints and get the job done. He's also proven how Japanese practices and Zen principles that are difficult to translate can explain everything.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Guy Kawasaki, co-founder, Alltop.com and author, \u003ci\u003eReality Check\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"The holy grail for any leader is to reach a state of clarity and peak performance. Through the power of story, \u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e shows us how, and sheds an invaluable light on the role (and potential) of the everyday struggles we face.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Scott Belsky, founder \u0026amp; CEO, Behance and author, \u003ci\u003eMaking Ideas Happen\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"What an exquisite story! Matt May deftly weaves ancient wisdom with modern realities, revealing how each of us can embrace the struggle inherent in any meaningful breakthrough—and use it to transform our own potential in work and life.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Sally Hogshead, author, \u003ci\u003eFascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“This is a treasure of a book, and just the kind of uplifting medicine that’s needed right now. It’s about something that in the west we don’t even have a name for, and yet it holds the key to finding our way in challenging times. When you know how to look at the events of your life, everything is there to show you what you can’t see on your own, and offer you opportunities that you normally walk right by. No matter your life circumstances, this is the kind of book that can (and almost certainly will) change your life.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e— Sarah Susanka, author, \u003ci\u003eThe Not So Big Life\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Not So Big House\u003c\/i\u003e series\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e is a simple but affecting tale—a must-read for anyone looking to make sense of breakthrough change at work and in life.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e— Ori Brafman, coauthor, \u003ci\u003eClick: The Magic of Instant Connections\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Shibumi Strategy\u003c\/i\u003e tells a touching story with a universally resonant message you’ll want to keep close to your heart and share with others.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e— Maddy Dychtwald, author, \u003ci\u003eInfluence: HowWomen’s Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World for the Better\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“This exceptional book is a game-changer. Read it. Apply it (fast). And step into your next level.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e— Robin Sharma, author, \u003ci\u003eThe Leader Who Had No Title\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Monk Who Sold His Ferrari\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jossey-Bass","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990340059365,"sku":"NP9780470769508","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780470769508.jpg?v=1761787425","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-shibumi-strategy-isbn-9780470769508","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}