I found myself continually putting down this slim but thought provoking volume to ponder a section, an exercise or an idea, relating these to my business, my art, my practice.
Dr. Phillips addresses concerns such as; How does one manage to find continuity and balance in life while maintaining room for both passion, play, and lifelong continuing education? How one might then bring this balance forward into their daily working life. How do you actively pursue, develop and consistently exercise integrity, wisdom and honor in all the facets and through all the stages of your life? How can you challenge yourself, find the 'on ramp to the path of knowledge and mastery' in our sometimes to soft and comfortable western society?
Fred Phillips takes on such difficult subjects as death with dignity and the ramifications of the WTO riots in Seattle of 2000. The integration of ZEN practice, the principals of ZEN martial art (Aikido) and there applications for the day to day business world.
I especially enjoyed the framework of the book and his steps of the path to responsible management (beginning, practice, experience, support, tests and mission), as well as the
management challenges sections and exercise.
If you are an experienced aikidoist, a seasoned high level manager, have been practicing ZEN meditation for years or are new to all of these subjects I would recommend that you take the time to explore The Conscious Manager: Zen for Decision Makers.
If you want to become a better manager and still retain better relationships with family and coworkers, and at the same time to sleep better at night, I highly recommend this book.
Fred Phillips, the author, puts it best when he writes "There have been Zen books that told you how to get along with obnoxious co-workers, how to plan your career, and how to maintain your motorcycle. There are Zen books on how to cope with oppressive bosses. But now you are the boss. You make decisions for yourself, your family, your company, your clubs and charities, and on political issues. You want to make these decisions responsibly, with integrity and good humor, and based on a positive and consistent set of values. This book can help you do that." (The Conscious Manager, p.5)