Rocking the Boat
- Review
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“To thine own self be true”, this famous quote comes to mind after reading ‘Rocking the Boat’ by Debra Meyerson. I feel this book is about professionals who have agendas or causes that are important to them and the methods they use to support their causes and effect change at their companies.
The book tells the story of different individuals and their personal agendas that they choose to fight for. One woman’s agenda is a balance between family and work life. She allows her staff to have flexible working hours whenever possible. Several of the professional’s agendas is to be true to their heritage and culture. One minority male felt it was very important to hire minorities and give them a chance to succeed at his workplace. This took place over decades and his estimated hiring was over three thousand in his company. Finally, one professional’s agenda was to make it more comfortable and equal rights for the alternative lifestyle community at his corporation.
The above are my initial thoughts and observations about the book. After thinking about it, I think the book goes much deeper than that. I feel the author is trying to make two important points. First, by detailing the agendas and conflicts of the professionals in the book she is stating that it is important if not essential for people to remain true to their beliefs in order to have any real chance at being happiness and balance in their work and professional lives. Second, I feel this book’s purpose goes way beyond the workplace. It is really detailing the struggle of mankind. In order for any change to occur, on any level, it starts with somebody feeling that the change is necessary and they go about effecting the change. Thus, this book details the mindsets and internal conflicts of many if not all of our world social change leaders. From those that became famous like __________ (You fill in the blank) to the majority that never has and never will be recognized for their efforts.