Not A Self-Help At All -- It’s A Complete Detailed Manual to Managing Change

Conquer Change and Win

Author: Ralph Masengill, Jr.

Publisher:self-published, 2016

I’m writing this review on July 4^thfrom my southern “office” on the coast in South Carolina. I mention that because today I experienced “unexpected” change in my life immediately after I finished reading Ralph Masengill, Jr.’s book this morning. Heading to our car, my wife got something in her eye. She was experiencing considerable pain and we tried all the ‘home’ type treatments we knew of.  Three hours later we were in Emergency. Diagnosis was a scratched eye near her cornea.  After a tetanus shot, numbing drops, two prescriptions that needed filling right away, orders to see a local ophthalmologist in two days, and lots of time on the phone with our insurance provider, we finally returned to our party destination – me and my one-eyed (due to patch) wife. Thanks to Masengill’s book, I handled it all very well.

The author is indeed an expert in the field of change. His book is about “understanding change” and how it “makes you and others feel”. A formidable task, but he accomplishes it with honors. His introduction promises a lot and he delivers it.

The book is also full of great quotations beginning with Helen Keller’s “Security is mostly a superstition.” Here’s another, “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” (W. Edward Deming)

Early on he tells us about the 30 percent of the group we’re trying to change who will be “resisters” and flatly tells to ignore them. He gives some very detailed and very practical advice to some real problems – like how to deal with difficult people. 

He distinguishes between the ‘actual change’ and the “stress, anxiety, or fear (we) experience anticipating the coming change”.  A fascinating concept which he builds on.  There’s also a whole chapter on the importance of having the right attitude. Both positive and negative change is discussed, along with the different ways it impacts different people.

The book is sprinkled well with example from his own life, both personal and work-related. Fear is attacked vigorously, and he tells us that it does not go away on its own – it needs to be pursued aggressively at the highest level.

For the business manager, he provides some practical tips that are critical to being successful. For example, deadlines must be clear and unambiguous – give a person a time, not just a date. And he explains why that’s so important. He explains what “grey decisions” are and you need to know about that.  Failure to identify the real problem you are trying to solve will garner you irrelevant suggestions.

Two-thirds of the way through the book, the author focuses on the ins and outs of great negotiations. The lists of advice on how to ‘win’ are priceless and well worth the price you’ll pay to read the book.

The advice on any topic (and there are many of them) is top-notch.  For example, on team-building, “The best possible action in team building is to choose your own team members.”

There’s also a complete list of how organizations should introduce change using a change plan and how to make changes to a change plan. Fascinating material.

Many of us know about developing Vision Statements and Mission Statements (and yes, he’s got the order right).  But before you do either of those, Masengill says you need to develop your “Current Reality”.  That was new to me and it adds much to the Strategic Planning process I often use with my own clients.

Do I have anything against the book?  Just a couple of minor points.  First, his lists are way too long to be absorbed on first reading, but they’re also invaluable if one were actually implementing the processes they were intended to cover.  Secondly, some of his examples, especially his funny anecdotes, we’ve heard before, but one can easily forgive him as they serve his points extremely well.

This book is highly recommended for those who want to conquer and not just survive, but actually win, in a life experience full of unavoidable change.  That includes individuals, managers, and negotiators.

n Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, July 4, 2018, www.accordconsulting.com

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