Engage the Fox: A Business Fable about Thinking Critically and Motivating Your Team

by Jen Lawrence, Larry Chester

An allegorical teaching to embrace change, develop critical thinking skills, and solve any problem using teamwork Engage the Fox is a charismatic business fable set at a newspaper run by publisher Hedgehog and his executive team of woodland creatures. When met with a difficult decision regarding where the newspaper industry is headed, as well as pressure to give discounts to their top advertisers, Hedgehog engages consultant Thaddeus P. Fox to teach the team at The Toad Hollow Gazette how to make important decisions. By thinking critically and utilizing the different personality types present in the office, the team learns to see the big picture and tap the energy and imagination of everyone. The animals portrayed here, by their very nature, represent different aspects of the human personality as illustrated in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The authors base their book on Larry Chester’s popular course in critical thinking that helps participants identify the cause of problems large and small and generate better, more implementable solutions. That process incorporates four key critical thinking skills that businesspeople can develop to help them evaluate their options as they learn how to manage complex, messy issues in a systematic way that ensures stakeholder buy-in and increases their success rate.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Jen Lawrence, MBA is a Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Career and Business Coach, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She teaches The Art & Science of Success course at the University of Toronto and is the author of Engage the Fox: A Business Fable About Thinking Critically and Motivating Your Team and The Designed Divorce.

Reviews

[Sarah Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a long time, I've known my critical thinking skills aren't what they could be. I'm easily swayed by mediocre arguments and often jump into commitments without thinking through the alternatives... or the consequences.

I'm aware of these weaknesses but have struggled to mitigate them. At one point, I bought a critical thinking textbook, but (not shockingly) it was academic and not especially engaging, and I got bogged down and missed any practical value it might have offered.

And then I got the opportunity to read a review copy of "Engage the Fox." The premise (a business fable! with woodland creatures!) seemed a little goofy but simultaneously unintimidating, and after reading it, I'd say that initial impression was upheld but also backed with solid ideas and real-world usefulness.

My favorite thing about this book is that the authors showed the power of their critical thinking process by tackling a genuinely difficult problem. With a lot of business fables (and heck, fiction in general), situations seem contrived, and you think to yourself, "Well, sure, it would be easy to solve problems if all your ducks were in a row like that."

But throughout the first few chapters, I was right there with Hedgehog in thinking the situation was a no-win scenario. Despite the sometimes-silly animal references, the book methodically (and entertainingly) guides the reader through real-life application of the critical thinking process—starting with a seemingly intractable problem, getting clear on the actual problem, generating and evaluating potential solutions based on the desired outcome, making good decisions, and implementing them as workable solutions.

Even though the process is fairly involved, it's arranged in a logical framework, so it's easy to understand and work through. There are a lot of diagrams, many of which are shown repetitively—this might bother some readers, but I found it much more convenient than constantly flipping back to reference the information presented earlier, and the narrative isn't repetitive, just the diagrams.

This clear presentation, combined with a mnemonic, the solid underlying framework, and ample examples of how it works in the real world—all work together to create a process I'm confident I can follow.

One more recommendation: for more on the decision-making process specifically, you may want to also pick up "Decisive" by Dan Heath and Chip Heath. The two books have a little bit of overlap, but the focus is different enough to give a well-rounded approach, and I appreciated seeing some of the same ideas covered from complementary angles.

Note: I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Avolyn Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a business fable? Easy to follow, relatable, digestible, usually a quick read. For many reasons I was impressed by this book. Initially I was skeptical of the plot given that the entire list of characters are actually animals. The story line is relatable as it outlines the challenges that a newspaper faces in an industry that's dying or largely taking a hit and struggling to continue with the classic business model it has operated under for years. I can relate to the challenges faced in an evolving industry as I myself work in insurance which is vastly changing with the competitive atmosphere and increased automation. We can all relate, the rate at which anything becomes obsolete is much more frequent than it was 100 years ago.

However for me, I did feel a slight disconnect in trying to relate the fable to my professional career. While the basic models and business principals are presented in a classicly broad sense, the actual story gets a little lost in the weeds. There are situations that work themselves out in the story that seem overly convenient rather than due to the implementation of the model. I also felt that the story line is centered around a business operation that is relatively small. The main characters work in an organization of 30 employees or less and participate in a meeting involving the top employees and decision makers of the company.Meanwhile I work at a company of 30,000 and even my region has 400 people and a lot of our problem solving ideas can't be implemented because the decision makers to approve or implement the changes are over halfway across the country.

But even if I imagine myself having the power one day that the main characters have in this book, I don't feel that the suggested outline was ground breaking nor do I feel that it is failure proof (I know nothing is) but I just feel business fables have an uncanny way of always working themselves out. They're business fairy tales.
But for many people this is a preferred method for digesting business books and may be very helpful. I was impressed by the wittiness of the author, the humor presented and the complex story line.

[Shawn Vanbocquestal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide to leading teams through complex decision making. This book goes beyond your typical leadership book. Author depicts usable templates for working through decision making ensuring you are considering all factors before making strategic decisions ensuring your course of action has a higher success rate. The author ingeniously uses animals as the main characters illustrating the different personality types within teams and how they contribute in different and meaningful ways. This book came at the perfect time while I’m leading my teams through a complex situation and will be an asset to driving my teams through a strategic plan over the next five years.

[Marcia Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the analogy format of this book, and the way that that characters struggled throughout the challenge. As a learning professional, I was able to apply this to the change process in the educational industry and think about how we have to adapt to the conditions we find ourself given. There were no easy answers, but lots of psychological adaptations that were worthwhile for me to consider.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written guide to simple decision making. Creative and engaging, with a parable filled with relatable characters who help you see a need to improve your skills and act on new opportunities wisely.

A must read.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super hate the twee business fable style, but it was memorable and gave me some new food for thought for leadership, especially in the context of problem solving & meetings.

[Karynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favourites. I have a hard time committing to a book but I finished this cover-to-cover in one sitting. I'd read it again and again. Cute, funny, smart & well thought out.

[Nathalie Karasek · Rating 4 out of 5]

May the process be with you ;-)
Nice read, nice process

[Brenten Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 3.67 STARS

Quick read, appropriately repetitive, and a good (anthropomorphized) discussion of critical thinking, analysis, and decision making. (And a huge plug for hiring a consultant.)

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done, concrete examples and frameworks for dealing with real-world decisions. Entertaining and engaging.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many reasons I enjoyed this book. Easy to follow, relatable and digestible

[Gautham S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read..gets perspective of consulting through fable.

[Bd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally found a readable business book. I have half-read dozens of business books in the last few years. They often have a single premise and repeat it many times. Half way through the book, I am bored and add the book to a pile of 'finish it later' reads.
Engage the Fox is different. The business lessons are woven throughout an interesting story that captures your attention. Instead of simply throwing the facts in your face, the author has managed to entertain the reader whilst educating the reader. I took away the messages and have been able to incorporate the learning into my work and personal life. But I also wanted to read it to the end. I wanted to know what happened to that Fox. Never thought a business book would be an easy read!

[Homer16]

I actually won this book in a giveaway! Very engaging book. Easy to read and very enjoyable. Thank you!