Critical Book Review: How Stella Saved the Farm by Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble

Authors for years have used parables to illustrate key points specific to human behaviors and nature. Aesop's fable are probably the best known.

In business, authors such as Kevin McCarthy in his work The One Purpose Person to John Miller in QBQ to B.J. Gallagher Hateley and Warren H. Schmidt in their book A Peacock in the Land of Penguins have also used parables or fables to address business issues from people to change management to innovation and creativity.

Now Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble have joined others in crafting a parable around innovation through what they call "a wild and wooly yarn about making innovation happen."

The story, How Stella Saved the Farm is about two farms one managed by animals and the other by human beings. Both farms (think organizations) are working through change and innovation where the status quo is no longer good enough. Unfortunately Stella's farm is not doing as good as the other farm.

This is kind of like Planet of the Apes working along side Plant of the Humans. Only the creatures being farm animals are a little less threatening and possibly even more comical. The authors also have provided some simple brown and white illustrations which help to reinforce the parable. After all, we see and hear words, but we think in pictures.

Within the story line, the reader is exposed to a variety of issues that happen in business from a leadership void, to doing the same thing the same way to accepting diversity. By having the main characters as animals makes those issues somewhat less bullying, but still very realistic. I am sure we can all relate to one person in an organization who acts like a bull with "It's my way or the highway!" attitude.

Where the incredible value really is, is at the end of the book where there are two sets of questions.

Questions for ReviewQuestions for Deeper Reelection

There are questions specific to each chapter with the implication to apply these questions to what is happening or might be happening within the organization.

For example, in the first set of questions, topics include:

LeadershipOrganizational historyFinancesAttitudesNew product introductionOrganizational chartsFlexibilityMaking tough hiring and promoting decisionsCultural diversity

For the second set of questions, they are the "What If"scenarios. Also, these questions bore down into the feelings of those involved with this movement to save the farm (think business).

For me the first few chapters were a slow read and caused me to put the book down even though it overall was a quick read of fewer than 130 pages. However, after the first couple of chapters, the story line did pick up and I completed it rather fast.

If your organization is facing change or needs an infusion of creativity, then this is a good book to work through some of those changes by identifying them first.

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Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener

Books are a normal part of your everyday life. You see, read, and touch books anywhere and everywhere. But how often do you come across a piece of literature that you can classify as life changing? How many times do you get to pick up a book that leaves its meaning resonating around your head after you have read its entire content? How often do you encounter a book that makes you believe in the power of living a beautiful life?

Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener is that kind of book and more. In this book, you will learn about important life secrets you have never even thought about before. The book may be a work of fiction, but it teaches you the same that you can surpass every challenge, every endeavor that life rolls your way. The book is small, made up of only about 120 pages, but the lessons you will pick up as you read along are in no way small. In fact, they are rich and vital.

The characters of the novel are Michael Jones, Charlie, and Mr. Davis. Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener begins when Michael's car happens to break down on the roadside. Seeking for help, Michael comes across a huge mansion planted on an estate that had the name of the title of the novel. There, Michael meets Charlie, the caretaker of the estate. Going back to the broken-down car on the side of the road, Michael and Charlie engage in a conversation and form a special kind of friendship. In the conversation, Charlie shares to Michael the secrets of success that Mr. Davis, the owner of the estate, has used to become a wealthy and highly successful man.

Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener aims to teach you these fundamental lessons:

* How to live a three-dimensional-health kind of life
* How to understand and appreciate the gift of every relationship in your life
* How to attain your goals and use time properly for this purpose
* How to make sure you surround yourself with the best people
* How to become a lifelong learner
* How to realize that income does not always exceed your personal development
* How to communicate effectively for better understanding
* How to understand that the world could sure use a great leader
* How to leave a great legacy

Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener teaches all these and more. The book works in imparting its positive message to the world because it teaches its lessons not in a way that makes you feel guilty for not making the most of your life, but in a way that inspires you to go ahead and make that great leap to become a better person and live a better life. The book makes use of a style that is both simple and easy to understand. It does away with complex words and sentences and goes straight to the point, which is exactly what one needs in the first place.

Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener does not disappoint. If you are yearning for some positive change in how you live your life, then you might want to grab a copy of this book. The world could surely use more of these types of books.

Please visit The Personal Development Company if you would like to learn more about Twelve Pillars by Chris Widener

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