BOOK REVIEW:

The Corporate Shaman

by
Richard Whiteley

Publisher:
HarperBusiness,
an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Reviewed by: Marie T. Russell 

Most individuals recognize the need for healing -- for the body, mind, and emotions. Yet we rarely think of healing for a business or a corporation. Yet, since a business is also "growing and alive", can it not also undergo transformation, healing, and have a healing crisis?

This is the story in The Corporate Shaman, which is classified as a "business fable". We get to see into the minds of the employees as well as of the CEO. We see the insecurities and fuzziness that resides in their being reflected in the life of the business. There is chaos, financial decline, co-worker competitiveness, anger, resentments, etc. But this business acquires something that most businesses do not have -- a modern-day shaman, a healer.

This novel presents many of the "typical" stresses that we meet in the business and work world and challenges us to deal with them in a different manner -- as empowered intuitive individuals rather than pawns in a game in which we have no control. Readers may recognize a lot of the power-plays that take place in work environments, much of the hidden truths and obvious lies, much of the game playing.

I enjoyed this novel, as it presented a visionary yet realistic way of "doing business"... using integrity, intuition, vision, and purpose. It encourages one to blend the priorities and values we have in our personal lives with our work environment as well.

What are other people saying about this book?

"I loved the book. It reveals the role that intuition will play in empowering the corporate leader of the future."

-- Patrick McGovern, chairman of the board, IDG Intl. Data Group

"The Corporate Shaman shows how ancient wisdoms can be applied to today's perplexing business problems. An engaging and important read for any one in business..."

-- Connie Duckworth, advisory director, Goldman Sachs

"Richard Whitely takes the abstract idea of bringing the spirit back into our work and makes it a stunning, life-changing reality."

-- Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. author of Inner Peace for Busy People