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Paradigm Found: Leading and Managing for Positive Change
Millions of people are frustrated by the lack of innovation and accountability undertaken by the government and other organizations, but they don’t know where or how to begin making changes. Paradigm Found is a primer for creating or reshaping institutions and businesses to be run on principles often voiced but rarely learning, equality, tolerance, consensus, empowerment, generosity, and hearing and acknowledging all voices. Providing examples from her own rich experience, Murray shows readers what one individual can do to implement change from within, and how to do it. She encourages others to take risks, start organizations, and judge when it is time, and how, to move on. Full of practical suggestions for giving life to values and engaging stories of what works and what doesn't, Paradigm Found demonstrates that it is possible to walk the talk, even when it isn’t easy.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2006
7 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Anne Firth Murray
3 books19 followersAnne Firth Murray is an activist, author, nonprofit founder and teacher at Stanford University. Murray is the founding president of the Global Fund for Women, which raises and gives away money to groups around the world supporting women's human rights. She founded the organization in 1987 and continued to act as president until 1996.
She previously led philanthropic efforts on population and environmental issues for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 1978 to 1987. Prior to that, she was a writer at the United Nations and an editor at the Stanford, Oxford, and Yale university presses.
She previously led philanthropic efforts on population and environmental issues for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 1978 to 1987. Prior to that, she was a writer at the United Nations and an editor at the Stanford, Oxford, and Yale university presses.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 1, 2010
Anne Firth Murray is the founder of The Global Fund for Women and shares her insights on leading a non-profit organization in Paradigm Found: Leading and Managing for Positive Change. Written in a highly accessible style, Paradigm Found spans the genres of memoir, manual, and motivational. Though based on her experiences with leading a specifically focused global non-profit organization, Murray's words transcend the separation between industries and sectors as she speaks to the need of a new style of leadership on a larger span.
Murray describes the book as a "book for people who want success in making the world a better place and who want to be inspired by specific evidence that positive change is possible." She urges the reader to be excited and reassured by the fact that we are not alone in our desire to change the world for the better. Murray discusses many practical aspects of positive leadership throughout the text including leading by inclusion, self realization and actualization, the importance of communication, developing and staying true to your mission, effective succession planning, and knowing when to pass the torch.
One of the most memorable statements is the way she describes the lifelong path of leadership. She advises spending the first 30 years of life gathering knowledge and clarifying beliefs, the second 30 years of life applying that knowledge to make the world a better place, and the next years still learning and supporting others by sharing experience and knowledge.
Murray presents honest and valuable advice for business leaders. Believe that positive change is possible. Be good to yourself and envision the change; be true to your principles and learn; and be inclusive and value diversity. She encourages the reader to approach one’s life and work as a creative process, “holding a personal vision, committing to the truth, recognizing our connectedness to the world, compassion, and constant curiosity and learning.”
She quotes Vaclav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic, in saying that the “modern age has ended…. We are going through a transitional period, when it seems that something is on the way out and something else is painfully being born. It is as if something were crumbling, decaying, and exhausting itself, while something else, still indistinct, were arising from the rubble.” Violence and poverty characterize the world, and those in power use violence to maintain the status quo. Though her sentiment for change is urgent, her words stress the value of taking the time for thorough introspection, discussion, and inclusive collaboration. To her, the new paradigm of leadership is lead with respect, compassion, and connection.
Murray describes the book as a "book for people who want success in making the world a better place and who want to be inspired by specific evidence that positive change is possible." She urges the reader to be excited and reassured by the fact that we are not alone in our desire to change the world for the better. Murray discusses many practical aspects of positive leadership throughout the text including leading by inclusion, self realization and actualization, the importance of communication, developing and staying true to your mission, effective succession planning, and knowing when to pass the torch.
One of the most memorable statements is the way she describes the lifelong path of leadership. She advises spending the first 30 years of life gathering knowledge and clarifying beliefs, the second 30 years of life applying that knowledge to make the world a better place, and the next years still learning and supporting others by sharing experience and knowledge.
Murray presents honest and valuable advice for business leaders. Believe that positive change is possible. Be good to yourself and envision the change; be true to your principles and learn; and be inclusive and value diversity. She encourages the reader to approach one’s life and work as a creative process, “holding a personal vision, committing to the truth, recognizing our connectedness to the world, compassion, and constant curiosity and learning.”
She quotes Vaclav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic, in saying that the “modern age has ended…. We are going through a transitional period, when it seems that something is on the way out and something else is painfully being born. It is as if something were crumbling, decaying, and exhausting itself, while something else, still indistinct, were arising from the rubble.” Violence and poverty characterize the world, and those in power use violence to maintain the status quo. Though her sentiment for change is urgent, her words stress the value of taking the time for thorough introspection, discussion, and inclusive collaboration. To her, the new paradigm of leadership is lead with respect, compassion, and connection.
July 18, 2007
Anne Firth Murray has written a truly marvelous and thought-provoking book, straight from the heart: Paradigm Found: Leading and Managing for Positive Change. It is hard to classify as one particular genre or another. It is written in a unique style, defying categorizaion and capturing characteristics of a memoir, a good story, a motivational piece, and a manual. Not only did I enjoy learning more about the history of the Global Fund for Women [http://www.globalfundforwomen.org] and the wonderful, dedicated people who made it happen, but I also found it valuable to learn more about Anne Firth Murray's life and her struggle to incorporate the ideals she describes in her book into her work and every day life.
It satisfies those who love good autobiographies and inspirational stories. And it also satisfies those who seek to learn about how one builds a strong organization from the roots up, from meaningful ideals to meaningful change. For me, this book was rejuvenating and energizing to read. It gave me new ideas and has inspired me all over again. I would think that each new reader who flips through its pages will experience similar self-reflection and inspiration in her or his own way.
This is a treasure of a book. It is a great book for all to read--young and old, women and men, and people working in all capacities. Students and young people who are starting out in pursuit of careers in human rights or in non-profit work will benefit in particular from the inspirational guidance that this book offers.
It satisfies those who love good autobiographies and inspirational stories. And it also satisfies those who seek to learn about how one builds a strong organization from the roots up, from meaningful ideals to meaningful change. For me, this book was rejuvenating and energizing to read. It gave me new ideas and has inspired me all over again. I would think that each new reader who flips through its pages will experience similar self-reflection and inspiration in her or his own way.
This is a treasure of a book. It is a great book for all to read--young and old, women and men, and people working in all capacities. Students and young people who are starting out in pursuit of careers in human rights or in non-profit work will benefit in particular from the inspirational guidance that this book offers.
July 16, 2007
So far...a FIVE! I am reading right now!
October 31, 2014
This book has an interesting perspective on how to create a foundation. Usually a book just gives you the 'how tos' but this book examines the emotional impact and needs of creating a foundation or agency. It's open and honest. It can drag a bit, but the author feels so sincere that it is an enjoyable read. The Women's Global Fund is an amazing organization and it is quite interesting to read of it's conception and early years.
May 22, 2014
Overall the book is pretty good. My main takeaway is that the culture of the organization, how you act internally, is just as important as the outward work of the organization. Basically, live and work by the values that you espouse.
Want to read
September 11, 2016recommended by Corinne Shannon
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews