The Essential Mary Parker Follett: Ideas We Need Today

It advertises as "a comprehensive selection of texts" but there is not one full essay, paper, or speech of Mary Parker Follett's; only quotes, lists, summaries, and the editors writing about her and interpreting her work. I expected it to have most of her full writings so that I could cite them for a literature review, not be a literature review itself! If you only want a taste, and don't need full texts, this book is fine for you.I've read some of her work in one-off places and was excited that this could be a good selection of her core work. Was very disappointed.

I enjoyed reading the quotes from the writings of Mary Parker Follett. However, I don't think there was more to this book. I expected an analysis of her contributions and suggestions for contemporary applications in civic engagement and business. She is someone I recently discovered and I thought this book would offer more I sight. Unfortunately, I would consider it only a good quick read.

I'm working on my dissertation for my EdD and have come to greatly admire Mary Parker Follett's work. This is almost like a book of poetry; plan to order more copies to give as gifts since it's light read with a lot of impact. Beautifully curated and a wonderful introduction to her seminal works.

It is okay, but more a small collection of her thoughts rather than an actual written article by her.

This collaborative 'essential' is exquisitely compiled and composed; an absolute must have for the MPF enthusiast or anyone in the field of management.

Awesome book of Mary Parker Follett's writings/speeches! Thanks for the great service!

In their book, the ‘Follett Team’ have done exceptionally well in presenting the work of Mary Parker Follett in an insightful, eloquent, yet straight forward manner, a style that would be welcomed by Follett herself. The editors manage to condense the key themes of Follett’s work in her own words to provide a book rich with pearls of wisdom and ideas to understand and solve today’s social and business challenges. Prescient concepts presented in the book such as constructive conflict, unity through diversity, leadership, integrative behavior, power with, and circular response provide rich fare for those seeking insight into ways of succeeding in our increasingly connected world.The book demonstrates, as Lyndall Urwick credits in the fore-ward, that Mary Parker Follett was indeed a philosopher ahead of her time – A visionary who captures the essence of what we need to deal with today’s opportunities and challenges…….and into the future. Aptly titled ‘Ideas We Need Today’ the authors pull together a collection of writings from Mary Parker Follett into an enjoyable book that delivers these ideas in spades.If you are looking for a book to enrich your life, this is surely it.

Mary Parker Follett was a prolific and provocative writer and deserves to be better known. This collection of her writings, organized by topic with very good short introductions by the four editors, is an excellent introduction to her innovative ideas and concepts. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of her writing and ideas, which still resonate in the 21st century. Writing mostly in the 1920's to the 1940's she was a major influence on organizational development, conflict transformation, and leadership. Her thinking provides an understanding of humanistic business practices and creative conflict resolution that underpin much of what is considered "best practices" in those fields.The title, Ideas We Need Today, underscores the importance of re-reading these seminal writings in order to make sure we continue her legacy of humanism, her focus on democracy, and the importance of visionary leadership. If you are interested in these subjects -- and we all should be -- this is a terrific book.

Absolutely marvellous collection of Follett quotes and ideas.Mary Parker Follett is a marvel. But some of her work is a little inaccessible.This book makes her central ideas really easy to grasp and interrogate.It is organised well and the selections are just the right length. Great stuff.

This is truely a remarkable book and one amazing lady.