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Time To Think

By Nancy Kline

Reviewed by Jane Sunley

We're never surprised, though always saddened, that so many companies still try to 'script' people's thinking. As an example, they might 'over-manage' interactions with the customer by telling their people how to behave, what to say and exactly what to do. Nancy Kline's view is that as change continues to proliferate within lives and organisations, human thinking is to be prized above all else. I have to say I'm inclined to agree with her.

This book examines ways in which organisations can learn to help people think for themselves, be themselves to the benefit of those around them. This might be useful when it comes to meetings; meeting challenges or solving business problems, creating innovation and bold strategies, team dynamics; customer service; building better, stronger relationships.

'Time to Think' not only provides a set of techniques, it challenges the reader towards developing a 'thinking environment'; in other words a set of ten conditions under which people can think for themselves - with rigour, imagination, courage and grace. Listening is very important. Many people consider themselves to be good listeners though Kline challenges this assertion and shows how to produce higher calibre listening which can ignite the mind; and incisive questioning techniques to increase intelligence and creativity.

Of course as well as getting people to think you also need to engage them fully in your organisation and its goals - but that's a whole other book (maybe we'll write that one, Ed).

'Time to Think' is a rather graceful book which is very relevant to any individual and any organisation hoping to cope with the rigours of business life today. It is well structured, easy to read and packed with stories and anecdotes to help the medicine go down. I'd ignore the tribute at the end though, if you read the book you'll see what I mean!

25 April 2008