When Giants Learn To Dance

Rosebeth Moss Kanter. When Giants Learn To Dance. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989. 366 pp. $22.95 hardcover.

As Extension professionals seek ways to meet the needs of their clientele, while at the same time facing their own organizational challenges, the need for clear direction becomes even more apparent. Occasionally, a book is written in which the author's perspective can serve as "inside" information to help better understand change.

Kanter's book, When Giants Learn To Dance, is exactly that, an inside perspective on the challenges facing America's corporate structure. Although written for a corporate audience, the book offers valuable insights for Extension professionals as well. Kanter discusses the pressure facing American business from global economics. Corporations must streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic layers to become more competitive and responsive to the needs of the market. Methods of initiating innovative ideas are shown through case studies of how various corporations prepared themselves to be more effective in meeting these challenges.

Corporations must also "do more with less." By establishing strategic alliances (sometimes with past adversaries), building quality teams, and developing synergies, product quality can be enhanced. Shifting from a philosophy of "individual stars" to "groups of stars" also achieves higher levels of quality with less bureaucratic structure. Kanter argues that a move away from bureaucratic structure to a post-entrepreneural structure will facilitate needed changes and increase corporate effectiveness.

The book also presents a new view of job security. Kanter maintains job security is no longer the responsibility of the corporation but the individual. Job security isn't in a particular job, but in the individual's employability. Job security is built by the worker seeking ways to enhance his or her abilities and expertise. A "build-your-resume-as-you-go" philosophy is needed to prepare people for this change.

These and many other ideas discussed in the book can be applied to Extension. The Extension System is faced with many of the same challenges as corporate America. To better help with economic and social changes, Extension itself must be in shape for what the author calls "corporate olympics." As Extension confronts downsizing, streamlining, and restructuring, this book can serve as a resource for organizational change.

When Giants Learn To Dance could be used for inservice workshops or personal reading to help Extension professionals face their own career challenges, and to help the Extension System prepare to help clientele face the coming changes.