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A Beautiful Constraint: How to Transform Your Limitations into Advantages, and Why It's Everyone's Business
An inspiring yet practical guide for transforming limitations into opportunities A Beautiful Constraint: How to Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages And Why It's Everyone's Business Now is a book about everyday, practical inventiveness, designed for the constrained times in which we live. It describes how to take the kinds of issues that all of us face today―lack of time, money, resources, attention, know-how―and see in them the opportunity for transformation of oneself and one's organization's fortunes. The ideas in the book are based on the authors' extensive work as business consultants, and are brought to life in 35 personal interviews from such varied sources as Nike, IKEA, Unilever, the U.S. Navy, Formula One racecar engineers, public school teachers in California, and barley farmers in South Africa. Underpinned by scientific research into the psychology of breakthrough, the book is a practical handbook full of tools and tips for how to make more from less. Beautifully designed and accessible, A Beautiful Constraint will appeal beyond its core business audience to anyone who needs to find the opportunity in constraint. The book takes the reader on a journey through the mindset, method and motivation required to move from the initial "victim" stage into the transformation stage. It challenges us to: We live in a world of seemingly ever-increasing constraints, driven as much by an overabundance of choices and connections as by a scarcity of time and resources. How we respond to these constraints is one of the most important issues of our time and will be a large determinant of our progress as people, businesses and planet, in the future. A Beautiful Constraint calls for a more widespread capability for constraint-driven problem solving and provides the framework to achieve that.
277 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 23, 2017
I read this book at a time when a few of us within Greenpeace International were running a rogue project to better define the story of what Greenpeace stood for, as opposed to what it stood against. Despite the fact that it was written for a business audience, the concept of a challenger brand, and the need for insider "Challenger thinking" resonated perfectly with my experience. This turned into a handbook for pirate behaviour, complete with a taxonomy of players you need to turn a big ship. Highly recommend this for anyone working inside an upstart startup or an organisation dedicated to change, who has a vision that's under-resourced, punching above its weight, and setting off antibodies.
May 15, 2021
I wanted to give it 5 stars because the content is very important and applicable. Unfortunately the writing is a bit dry.
June 27, 2015
This book will open your mind to the art of the possible
A great mix of practical frameworks, detailed case studies, and Cliff Notes for those who don't have time to digest the whole book.
If you want to learn how to "think outside the box" or change the perception you have of yourself as someone who isn't "like those folks" who innovate - think about picking up this book.
A great mix of practical frameworks, detailed case studies, and Cliff Notes for those who don't have time to digest the whole book.
If you want to learn how to "think outside the box" or change the perception you have of yourself as someone who isn't "like those folks" who innovate - think about picking up this book.
November 25, 2015
Review to follow.
March 4, 2021
An interesting approach on how constraints around us can be transformed into the force for growth in personal life and work. The book offers pragmatic ways to stimulate creativity and inventiveness and offers a list of inspiring examples on how theory comes into practise from world’s greatest such as Nike, IKEA, etc. The work is also beautifully put together with a clear system, helpful summaries and visual page markers.
November 22, 2022
I love this idea, using constraints to "force" creativity. You do have to have descent reasons to do it, for instance, firing half the staff is counterproductive! I really like his "We Can If" framework. its similar to changing "I can't afford it" to "How can I afford it?" Great book with great examples from Ikea, Proctor & Gamble and Nike.
January 15, 2021
This was one of those books I (a) thought could have been shorter (at least 2/3 of the business books I encounter) and (b) felt parts of it were 5-star-valuable with some 3-star-faults, so I split the difference in my rating.
The negatives:
- goes back to the same examples too often. Over-used.
- some of the examples are over-simplified to claim the limits of the constraints were what made them successful, when often it was one of many, many factors. I am sure the authors get this and it's simply a victim of collapsing the narrative for simplicity's sake.
- Main fault I have is that the authors are pretty drunk on techno-utopianism. Pretty common mindset at the time of writing; those rose-tinted glasses haven't aged well.
The positives:
- The high-level mindset - shifting from "we can't because..." to "we can if..." is worth the price of admission.
- The examples, while oft repeated, are good ones.
- The framework suggested to make use of their approach seems sound (I'll be trying it with my organization in the coming year)
- I **LOVED** the authors' approach on "how to use this book" which has a tiered approach. If you only intend to have a single discussion in one meeting, do A. If you want to used it for a one day workshop to illicit some new ideas, do B. - And so on, down to the "all-in" approach. I wish more business books borrowed this idea!
Good quick read, worth the price of admission.
The negatives:
- goes back to the same examples too often. Over-used.
- some of the examples are over-simplified to claim the limits of the constraints were what made them successful, when often it was one of many, many factors. I am sure the authors get this and it's simply a victim of collapsing the narrative for simplicity's sake.
- Main fault I have is that the authors are pretty drunk on techno-utopianism. Pretty common mindset at the time of writing; those rose-tinted glasses haven't aged well.
The positives:
- The high-level mindset - shifting from "we can't because..." to "we can if..." is worth the price of admission.
- The examples, while oft repeated, are good ones.
- The framework suggested to make use of their approach seems sound (I'll be trying it with my organization in the coming year)
- I **LOVED** the authors' approach on "how to use this book" which has a tiered approach. If you only intend to have a single discussion in one meeting, do A. If you want to used it for a one day workshop to illicit some new ideas, do B. - And so on, down to the "all-in" approach. I wish more business books borrowed this idea!
Good quick read, worth the price of admission.
June 15, 2018
Top notch book. It is the functional companion to the vision expressed by The Obstacle is the Way. What I found lacking in TOITW is completely satisfied by A Beautiful Constraint. This is also a beautifully structured book. Each chapter comes with a summary at the end and the last chapter is basically just fleshing out the tools that were delivered individually earlier in the book. I'll summarize my takeaways but in a limited fashion as a) I believe this is a book not to be missed for anyone that cares about innovating, making change, creating or empowering people and b) I think I need to read it again to be sure I got what the book had for me.
Constraints don't merely limit performance, they structure and enable it. Removing them, then, does not lead to unlimited performance but low or non-existent performance. There are three phases of response to constraints: victim, neutralizer and transformer. Victims see a constraint as insurmountable and shrink their ambitions to a scale they feel can be accommodated by the constraint or give up altogether. Neutralizers find ways to accomplish things by working around constraints. Transformers USE the constraints in order to not only accomplish their ambitions but to go far beyond them. Like using a gravity well, a thing that attempts to suck you in, as a sling shot, a thing that propels you forward, transformers embody the ethos of "the only way out is through." It's not just about attitude though. It's also about emotional connection to the outcome, or passion for the vision. Without that engagement that comes from that connection, efforts peter out. One way of stimulating engagement is through mental contrasting, or entertaining both the vision of the ambition and the grim reality of the constraints and their implications at the same time, and using the emotional tension that generates in order to achieve more. Another tool that helps is changing the way you think and talk about constraints and problems in groups. Instead of saying "We can't do ___ because", we can exchange that for "We can do _____ if", which stimulates a movement from the Victim phase forward by not entertaining the idea of shrinking the ambition. There was also a segment about finding the balance between seemingly irreconcilable trade-offs to reach new solutions (a subject covered very well in the TOC literature and is mentioned early on in the book). It also deals with sources of resources to solve problems that are worth considering, including the full scope of partners available (current allies, potential allies, current enemies, publicly available resources). The constraint of zero available funds also provides a powerful impetus to coming to solutions that are incredibly creative.
There's definitely more but see point A and B.
Constraints don't merely limit performance, they structure and enable it. Removing them, then, does not lead to unlimited performance but low or non-existent performance. There are three phases of response to constraints: victim, neutralizer and transformer. Victims see a constraint as insurmountable and shrink their ambitions to a scale they feel can be accommodated by the constraint or give up altogether. Neutralizers find ways to accomplish things by working around constraints. Transformers USE the constraints in order to not only accomplish their ambitions but to go far beyond them. Like using a gravity well, a thing that attempts to suck you in, as a sling shot, a thing that propels you forward, transformers embody the ethos of "the only way out is through." It's not just about attitude though. It's also about emotional connection to the outcome, or passion for the vision. Without that engagement that comes from that connection, efforts peter out. One way of stimulating engagement is through mental contrasting, or entertaining both the vision of the ambition and the grim reality of the constraints and their implications at the same time, and using the emotional tension that generates in order to achieve more. Another tool that helps is changing the way you think and talk about constraints and problems in groups. Instead of saying "We can't do ___ because", we can exchange that for "We can do _____ if", which stimulates a movement from the Victim phase forward by not entertaining the idea of shrinking the ambition. There was also a segment about finding the balance between seemingly irreconcilable trade-offs to reach new solutions (a subject covered very well in the TOC literature and is mentioned early on in the book). It also deals with sources of resources to solve problems that are worth considering, including the full scope of partners available (current allies, potential allies, current enemies, publicly available resources). The constraint of zero available funds also provides a powerful impetus to coming to solutions that are incredibly creative.
There's definitely more but see point A and B.
February 5, 2019
Simple idea, many use-cases. The book introduces the concept of "constraint thinking" which is looking at traditional constraints in your business or process (development, production, etc.), and flipping them and trying to either exploit them to improve your process or alter them and featurize them from a product development standpoint. Though, the methodology is probably best suited as change management fodder for consulting workshops when trying to get something big done in a high inertia environment.
The book has a few interesting use-cases from big companies like Nike and Unilever, and the cases themselves are very detailed (range of about an hour to two per case). The book also comes with some excellent organizational templates you can turn into PowerPoint slides to organize your message while pitching. Will have to do a closer reading a second time. I believe this is an example where it may make sense to purchase the Kindle or physical book to get the whole process and structure down pat. Recommend
The book has a few interesting use-cases from big companies like Nike and Unilever, and the cases themselves are very detailed (range of about an hour to two per case). The book also comes with some excellent organizational templates you can turn into PowerPoint slides to organize your message while pitching. Will have to do a closer reading a second time. I believe this is an example where it may make sense to purchase the Kindle or physical book to get the whole process and structure down pat. Recommend
May 28, 2018
Adam Morgan makes a compelling case that when we are faced with constraints, we have the option to be victims, neutralizers, or transformers, and that for most of us, being able to view constraints as opportunities to elevate our ambitions can be a fruitful endeavor. The book is a relatively fast read and I plan on using some images and material from it for future workshops/training.
I found this three-step method to create change compelling: break path dependence (articulate why we are solving problems this way), ask probing questions that tie together ambition and constraint, and re-frame "can't because" statements to "can if" statements.
I found this three-step method to create change compelling: break path dependence (articulate why we are solving problems this way), ask probing questions that tie together ambition and constraint, and re-frame "can't because" statements to "can if" statements.
July 30, 2022
I also didn't finish this one, since it was due back, but I plan to borrow it again when I have the chance.
I really like the idea of doing things differently, which is the way I like to work - it's how I naturally see things, and I like doing what the crowd isn't. I also have many constraints to work with. This has given me some ideas for how to 'make them beautiful', which I really want - and have - to do.
I really like the idea of doing things differently, which is the way I like to work - it's how I naturally see things, and I like doing what the crowd isn't. I also have many constraints to work with. This has given me some ideas for how to 'make them beautiful', which I really want - and have - to do.
March 2, 2024
In 2024, one thing should be patently evident: the tech world is set on putting the conception of a VUCA world to the test. Change is becoming (and will probably continue to be) increasingly aggressive and overarching. This tome offers actionable, applicable strategies to reframe what usually becomes anxiety-laden and begin to think about it as the very core of a spring of creativity and stimulating change. What a hit!
July 22, 2018
This is a well written book about how to use constraints as a tool for enrichment rather than as a fatal blow to your company processes. It illustrates stories from some large companies of how they successfully navigated constraints which they found in their way, or created in order to provide a benefit to their customers.
June 3, 2020
Insightful exploration of how constraints, challenges and seemingly impossible demands can bolster creativity of individuals, teams and organisations, and open up new avenues of abundance. The book not only offers comprehensive examples of how constraints have been made beautiful but also provides practical and actionable steps for effective transformation.
September 23, 2020
Did not finish reading, left halfway.
First of all, the book format is so uncomfortable! A lot of wasted space in the pages, just for the looks, but holding this book while reading was a nightmare.
The content is interesting, but not for the large audience. All in all constraints help us to come up with better solutions, just think outside the box.
First of all, the book format is so uncomfortable! A lot of wasted space in the pages, just for the looks, but holding this book while reading was a nightmare.
The content is interesting, but not for the large audience. All in all constraints help us to come up with better solutions, just think outside the box.
November 13, 2021
An important book I was stupid enough to make the mistake of reading on a Kindle. Many interesting charts - I will buy a physical copy so I can mark it up.
Great for start-ups or anyone inside an organization trying to prepare for scarcities in the future that will surely come from our witless patterns of planetary abuse and short term thinking.
Great for start-ups or anyone inside an organization trying to prepare for scarcities in the future that will surely come from our witless patterns of planetary abuse and short term thinking.
January 16, 2018
Incredibly well thought of within the marketing and advertising industry, a practical and accessible framework for driving change in organisations. By the author's own admission, he drops the pirate theme pretty quickly but the metaphor holds throughout.
May 11, 2018
Reframing the constraints and limitations we face into advantages and opportunities. Lots of examples across many interests and industries. Worksheets and graphics to visually (and beautifully) clearly explain the points made. This was one of the many books included as a prerequisite to the altMBA.
August 17, 2018
An inspiring approach to pairing constraints with ambition and using constraints as a catalyst to achieve greater things. Peppered with success stories that illustrate situations where constraints have been used to transform business outcomes instead of being a limiting factor.
October 31, 2018
By all means, it was a solid “business” type book. It was just so difficult for me to read. Great and important message that can be applied in family life, communities, and business alike. But come on! Why are these books so difficult to read?!
April 4, 2020
This book had a lot of interesting stories about how businesses have been creative to gain success. The only thing I didn't like was the inclusion of businesses who have sexualized and objectified women in order to gain profits. I do not feel that those businesses should be applauded.
August 12, 2020
Well-written book on business philosophy, supported by anecdotal and academic findings. It should be on the reading list of change managers, especially those who need to inspire innovation in their teams.
May 5, 2021
I love the concepts, the models, and the examples presented. Great mind-sets that can transform limitations into opportunities or focus abundance into innovation.
For me, the writing style felt unnecessarily complex and a bit of a challenge. At times I felt like I was having to slog through it.
For me, the writing style felt unnecessarily complex and a bit of a challenge. At times I felt like I was having to slog through it.
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May 30, 2021Избавится от своих шаблонов (эмоциональных и надуманных) помогают авторы на своем примере, как будто этот метод когда то срабатывал)
Состояния счастья внутри повысит результативность, лояльность и креативность))
К этому я стремлюсь сейчас - быть счастливой и делать счастливыми людей вокруг
Состояния счастья внутри повысит результативность, лояльность и креативность))
К этому я стремлюсь сейчас - быть счастливой и делать счастливыми людей вокруг
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2023
A beautiful constraint is a way of seeing the world. By framing situations and asking propelling questions we can find solutions to the challenges we face. Strategies like can-if can help groups reach consensus.
September 21, 2017
An academic approach to an abstract concept. This book is filled with case studies of people and companies making the most of what they have and succeeding. Constraints yield creativity.
February 17, 2018
An excellent book to transform the way we look at constraints in business.
March 26, 2019
Concepts are pure 10 but the explanations drag. Should have constrained the length.
November 23, 2019
I skim/read this one. I'm not a big fan of this genre (with a lot of case studies of companies). I was expecting something different.
January 4, 2020
Great framework for helping you overcome obstacles at work! The Can -if worksheets are worth the price of the book by themselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews