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Title: The Human Face of Corporate Governance by Lynn McGregor ISBN: 0-333-77205-9 Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Pub. Date: December, 2000 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $75.00

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Unique Perspective
Comment: Most corporate governance books take the approach of an attorney or business professor looking a systems. Lynn McGregor comes at it from the perspective of a psychologist or trusted advisor to better enable CEOs and board members to start by first looking within the self. It is certainly a fresh approach, one I haven't encountered elsewhere.

The book moves modestly to demonstrate how personal governance and different leadership styles can influence improvements in corporate governance. McGregoor offers a model for understanding how corporate decisions are made, how group decisions can be improved and discusses the "shadow" side of corporate governance to help us guard against destruction. Clear examples, individualized exercises and a good sense of humor help the reader on the road to establishing humane, yet competitive companies. McGregor offers a unique perspective based on years as a successful board mentor and consultant - a welcome addition to any library.

Rating: 5
Summary: Preventing the Enrons of this world
Comment: After the Enron and WorldCom disasters, I reread the "Human Face of Corporate Governance " and started to wonder why people know well in advance that things are going wrong, but don't want to take responsibility for what they know. If the principles and practices in this book were more available! (and if Lynn McGregor were applying these), I think that this would have helped to prevent this and similar disasters.

The chapter on the shadow side should be compulsory reading.
It "deals with those aspects of human nature that cause unnecessary suffering to others. It is based on the assumption that much harm is done unconsciously. It is also based on the assumption that every one has feet of clay, and has the potential for creating harm to others. However, if there were greater understanding, some people might be able to avoid certain mistakes, or at least limit any damage" - America, take note.

The book is divided into four parts, humanizing the meaning of governance, personal governance, interpersonal governance and the human face of formal roles. As the book indicates, to do this properly takes time, courage, willingness to learn and commitment. The main point about it is to show that attention paid to human aspects of corporate governance more than repays the initial energy and investment put into it.

What she does is outline the significance of individual values and style and ways in which power can be both used and misused. Her four levels of governance, starts with the personal and makes personal responsibility as important as competence. The book highlights the importance of integrity and why the quality of relationships is essential for good decision-making. Her practical examples and guidelines provide a sound basis for understanding dynamics between people and how good practice can be developed in many ways. The section on Intergroup governance points out that governance is a process involving many different groups, all of whom are interconnected and as we know from recent events, all have a part to play in creating or destroying wealth.

The chapter outlining the formal roles of Chairman, CEO, non-executive and executive directors moves away from purely structural solutions to executing responsibilities with integrity, intelligence, rigour, wisdom and creativity.

I strongly recommend this book

Robin Shohet, co-author "Supervision in the Helping Professions" OU Press 2000