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Zero in on the answers to your IT project management questions
With constrained schedules and anxious stakeholders eager for results, the typical IT project team doesn't have the luxury of wading through lengthy tomes to find solutions. The IT Project Management Answer Book guides you to the specific answers you need to successfully conduct and complete your IT project.
Written in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, the book covers all aspects of managing an IT project, from initial organizational issues to closeout. Following the classic project management processes, author David Pratt builds on the basics to offer valuable insights not found in other resources, including:
• Proven techniques such as the best way to manage defects
• How to create performance standards for outside contractors
• How to develop a user's manual
For more technically inclined team members, the author's plain-speak approach presents a refreshing view of the IT world. For those less technically oriented, he describes the tools and solutions for dealing with IT project challenges in an accessible, straightforward way. Let this information-packed resource lead you and your team to IT project success.
With constrained schedules and anxious stakeholders eager for results, the typical IT project team doesn't have the luxury of wading through lengthy tomes to find solutions. The IT Project Management Answer Book guides you to the specific answers you need to successfully conduct and complete your IT project.
Written in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, the book covers all aspects of managing an IT project, from initial organizational issues to closeout. Following the classic project management processes, author David Pratt builds on the basics to offer valuable insights not found in other resources, including:
• Proven techniques such as the best way to manage defects
• How to create performance standards for outside contractors
• How to develop a user's manual
For more technically inclined team members, the author's plain-speak approach presents a refreshing view of the IT world. For those less technically oriented, he describes the tools and solutions for dealing with IT project challenges in an accessible, straightforward way. Let this information-packed resource lead you and your team to IT project success.
Knowledge Café is a process for creating, exchanging, and optimizing knowledge, whether in-person or virtual. This popular and practical knowledge management tool supports a culture where projects and innovation thrive.
So many project workers are overloaded with useless information and starving for the information they really need. Knowledge Management (KM) is an important and underrated ingredient in successful project management. The Knowledge Café makes KM best practices accessible to project managers everywhere.
Human knowledge is the intellectual capital of organizations, and the consequences for losing it are dire. Knowledge Café is a current, cross-generational, systematic concept designed to retain and manage relevant knowledge--stopping the unchecked "brain drain" that can occur when knowledge is hoarded. This method is as simple to use as a corner café and works in both virtual and real-life settings.
Knowledge Café will help you combine your institutional knowledge from your experienced workers with the fresh ideas bubbling up from the front lines. If our projects (and organizations) are to succeed, we absolutely must make the shift from knowledge hoarding to knowledge sharing. You can't afford to lose the vital institutional wisdom you've built up every time there is turnover in your workforce. Knowledge Café is the solution.
So many project workers are overloaded with useless information and starving for the information they really need. Knowledge Management (KM) is an important and underrated ingredient in successful project management. The Knowledge Café makes KM best practices accessible to project managers everywhere.
Human knowledge is the intellectual capital of organizations, and the consequences for losing it are dire. Knowledge Café is a current, cross-generational, systematic concept designed to retain and manage relevant knowledge--stopping the unchecked "brain drain" that can occur when knowledge is hoarded. This method is as simple to use as a corner café and works in both virtual and real-life settings.
Knowledge Café will help you combine your institutional knowledge from your experienced workers with the fresh ideas bubbling up from the front lines. If our projects (and organizations) are to succeed, we absolutely must make the shift from knowledge hoarding to knowledge sharing. You can't afford to lose the vital institutional wisdom you've built up every time there is turnover in your workforce. Knowledge Café is the solution.
Knowledge Café is a process for sharing information, whether face to face or virtual. This popular and practical knowledge management tool supports a culture where projects and innovation thrive.
The Knowledge Café is a mindset and environment for engaging, discussing, and exchanging knowledge within a group either face to face or virtually. At the café, participants can discuss hard-to-solve project issues or resolve a family or community crisis. This metaphorical town square supports knowledge circulation and rejuvenation and increases its velocity—making it a breeding ground for innovation. The aha moments at one Knowledge Café can match the benefits of multiple conferences, workshops, and training put together.
When knowledge management (KM) is part of an organization's culture, performance improves, collaboration increases, and the competitive advantage accelerates. No one can force knowledge transfer. We must create the right environment where knowledge is freely shared, rewarded, and fun. This book demonstrates why the Knowledge Café is such an effective KM tool and shows how to design optimal café experiences and increase learning agility.
The premium on knowledge and agility has never been greater. This book offers a technique for managing knowledge toward the greater good. Tips; templates; practical and relatable experiences; case studies; and examples of knowledge brokers, creators, and sharers across cultures are sprinkled throughout the book to show how the café interfaces with other KM techniques and in different work and project spaces.
The Knowledge Café is a mindset and environment for engaging, discussing, and exchanging knowledge within a group either face to face or virtually. At the café, participants can discuss hard-to-solve project issues or resolve a family or community crisis. This metaphorical town square supports knowledge circulation and rejuvenation and increases its velocity—making it a breeding ground for innovation. The aha moments at one Knowledge Café can match the benefits of multiple conferences, workshops, and training put together.
When knowledge management (KM) is part of an organization's culture, performance improves, collaboration increases, and the competitive advantage accelerates. No one can force knowledge transfer. We must create the right environment where knowledge is freely shared, rewarded, and fun. This book demonstrates why the Knowledge Café is such an effective KM tool and shows how to design optimal café experiences and increase learning agility.
The premium on knowledge and agility has never been greater. This book offers a technique for managing knowledge toward the greater good. Tips; templates; practical and relatable experiences; case studies; and examples of knowledge brokers, creators, and sharers across cultures are sprinkled throughout the book to show how the café interfaces with other KM techniques and in different work and project spaces.
Knowledge Café is a process for sharing information, whether face to face or virtual. This popular and practical knowledge management tool supports a culture where projects and innovation thrive.
The Knowledge Café is a mindset and environment for engaging, discussing, and exchanging knowledge within a group either face to face or virtually. At the café, participants can discuss hard-to-solve project issues or resolve a family or community crisis. This metaphorical town square supports knowledge circulation and rejuvenation and increases its velocity—making it a breeding ground for innovation. The aha moments at one Knowledge Café can match the benefits of multiple conferences, workshops, and training put together.
When knowledge management (KM) is part of an organization's culture, performance improves, collaboration increases, and the competitive advantage accelerates. No one can force knowledge transfer. We must create the right environment where knowledge is freely shared, rewarded, and fun. This book demonstrates why the Knowledge Café is such an effective KM tool and shows how to design optimal café experiences and increase learning agility.
The premium on knowledge and agility has never been greater. This book offers a technique for managing knowledge toward the greater good. Tips; templates; practical and relatable experiences; case studies; and examples of knowledge brokers, creators, and sharers across cultures are sprinkled throughout the book to show how the café interfaces with other KM techniques and in different work and project spaces.
The Knowledge Café is a mindset and environment for engaging, discussing, and exchanging knowledge within a group either face to face or virtually. At the café, participants can discuss hard-to-solve project issues or resolve a family or community crisis. This metaphorical town square supports knowledge circulation and rejuvenation and increases its velocity—making it a breeding ground for innovation. The aha moments at one Knowledge Café can match the benefits of multiple conferences, workshops, and training put together.
When knowledge management (KM) is part of an organization's culture, performance improves, collaboration increases, and the competitive advantage accelerates. No one can force knowledge transfer. We must create the right environment where knowledge is freely shared, rewarded, and fun. This book demonstrates why the Knowledge Café is such an effective KM tool and shows how to design optimal café experiences and increase learning agility.
The premium on knowledge and agility has never been greater. This book offers a technique for managing knowledge toward the greater good. Tips; templates; practical and relatable experiences; case studies; and examples of knowledge brokers, creators, and sharers across cultures are sprinkled throughout the book to show how the café interfaces with other KM techniques and in different work and project spaces.
Convey the essence of leadership with every communication.
Everything you communicate has the power to secure or sabotage your impression. But while you may be an empathic, visionary, responsive, inspiring, authentic, supportive, and humble leader, the lasting impact of those qualities hinges on your ability to communicate them effectively in words and expressions.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a presentation coach, executive speechwriter, and national champion public speaker, Joel Schwartzberg offers unique mindsets, actionable tactics, and diverse examples to help you leverage the most powerful leadership tool you have: your voice. Whether you're giving speeches, telling stories, sending emails, posting messages, recording videos, or running Zoom meetings, these are essential practices for establishing authority and engaging your audience.
The Language of Leadership will show you how to inspire, not merely inform, communicate with purpose and power, and sell—not just share—your most important ideas.
Everything you communicate has the power to secure or sabotage your impression. But while you may be an empathic, visionary, responsive, inspiring, authentic, supportive, and humble leader, the lasting impact of those qualities hinges on your ability to communicate them effectively in words and expressions.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a presentation coach, executive speechwriter, and national champion public speaker, Joel Schwartzberg offers unique mindsets, actionable tactics, and diverse examples to help you leverage the most powerful leadership tool you have: your voice. Whether you're giving speeches, telling stories, sending emails, posting messages, recording videos, or running Zoom meetings, these are essential practices for establishing authority and engaging your audience.
The Language of Leadership will show you how to inspire, not merely inform, communicate with purpose and power, and sell—not just share—your most important ideas.
Convey the essence of leadership with every communication.
Everything you communicate has the power to secure or sabotage your impression. But while you may be an empathic, visionary, responsive, inspiring, authentic, supportive, and humble leader, the lasting impact of those qualities hinges on your ability to communicate them effectively in words and expressions.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a presentation coach, executive speechwriter, and national champion public speaker, Joel Schwartzberg offers unique mindsets, actionable tactics, and diverse examples to help you leverage the most powerful leadership tool you have: your voice. Whether you're giving speeches, telling stories, sending emails, posting messages, recording videos, or running Zoom meetings, these are essential practices for establishing authority and engaging your audience.
The Language of Leadership will show you how to inspire, not merely inform, communicate with purpose and power, and sell—not just share—your most important ideas.
Everything you communicate has the power to secure or sabotage your impression. But while you may be an empathic, visionary, responsive, inspiring, authentic, supportive, and humble leader, the lasting impact of those qualities hinges on your ability to communicate them effectively in words and expressions.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a presentation coach, executive speechwriter, and national champion public speaker, Joel Schwartzberg offers unique mindsets, actionable tactics, and diverse examples to help you leverage the most powerful leadership tool you have: your voice. Whether you're giving speeches, telling stories, sending emails, posting messages, recording videos, or running Zoom meetings, these are essential practices for establishing authority and engaging your audience.
The Language of Leadership will show you how to inspire, not merely inform, communicate with purpose and power, and sell—not just share—your most important ideas.
Convey the essence of leadership with every communication.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about leadership. We know good leaders Eat Last, Lean In, Break the Rules, Dare to Lead, and are Radically Candid as well as extremely aware of their Tribes, Drive, and Principles. But books about these topics overlook the value of leadership impression-the instant projection you exude as a leader. How do leaders sound? What do leaders say and not say? How do leaders tell stories, send emails, run meetings, conduct video conferences, give speeches, conduct interviews, and even listen to others?
Drawing on his experiences as a leadership coach, as well as his personal experience holding senior positions at Time Inc., Audible, PBS, MTV, and the ASPCA, Joel Schwartzberg offers practical tips and entertaining but eye-opening exercises that help readers convey genuine and impactful leadership in every conceivable situation. Understanding your leadership impression is vitally important: it is the first piece of evidence on which you and your ideas will be judged and your best chance to lay a foundation of confidence, competence, and commitment.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about leadership. We know good leaders Eat Last, Lean In, Break the Rules, Dare to Lead, and are Radically Candid as well as extremely aware of their Tribes, Drive, and Principles. But books about these topics overlook the value of leadership impression-the instant projection you exude as a leader. How do leaders sound? What do leaders say and not say? How do leaders tell stories, send emails, run meetings, conduct video conferences, give speeches, conduct interviews, and even listen to others?
Drawing on his experiences as a leadership coach, as well as his personal experience holding senior positions at Time Inc., Audible, PBS, MTV, and the ASPCA, Joel Schwartzberg offers practical tips and entertaining but eye-opening exercises that help readers convey genuine and impactful leadership in every conceivable situation. Understanding your leadership impression is vitally important: it is the first piece of evidence on which you and your ideas will be judged and your best chance to lay a foundation of confidence, competence, and commitment.
From bestselling progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann comes an urgent autopsy of American democracy, showing how plutocrats, political cowardice, and systemic rot built the perfect runway for Trump's authoritarian ascent.
The Last American President rips open America's wounded democracy to expose a terrifying truth: Donald Trump isn't an anomaly—he's the inevitable product of a system engineered to fail. This searing investigation reveals how a man forged by childhood trauma, pathological narcissism, and calculated cruelty didn't hijack democracy—he was handed the keys by those who should have been its guardians.
Hartmann uncovers the unholy alliance between Trump's damaged psyche and America's rotted institutions. From Fred Trump's brutal parenting to Roy Cohn's lessons in shamelessness, from a Republican Party that traded principles for power to billionaire donors who treated democracy as a profit center, this book exposes the assembly line that manufactured an authoritarian.
But this is about more than Trump's past—it's about America's future. As climate catastrophe accelerates and fascism spreads globally, Hartmann reveals the nightmare scenario: a second Trump term that doesn't just end American democracy but also triggers irreversible planetary damage. Through meticulous research and unflinching analysis, he shows how political cowardice and corporate greed created the perfect storm that could extinguish humanity's last chance at survival.
This isn't just political commentary—it's a last-minute alarm sounding before the point of no return.
The Last American President rips open America's wounded democracy to expose a terrifying truth: Donald Trump isn't an anomaly—he's the inevitable product of a system engineered to fail. This searing investigation reveals how a man forged by childhood trauma, pathological narcissism, and calculated cruelty didn't hijack democracy—he was handed the keys by those who should have been its guardians.
Hartmann uncovers the unholy alliance between Trump's damaged psyche and America's rotted institutions. From Fred Trump's brutal parenting to Roy Cohn's lessons in shamelessness, from a Republican Party that traded principles for power to billionaire donors who treated democracy as a profit center, this book exposes the assembly line that manufactured an authoritarian.
But this is about more than Trump's past—it's about America's future. As climate catastrophe accelerates and fascism spreads globally, Hartmann reveals the nightmare scenario: a second Trump term that doesn't just end American democracy but also triggers irreversible planetary damage. Through meticulous research and unflinching analysis, he shows how political cowardice and corporate greed created the perfect storm that could extinguish humanity's last chance at survival.
This isn't just political commentary—it's a last-minute alarm sounding before the point of no return.
From bestselling progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann comes an urgent autopsy of American democracy, showing how plutocrats, political cowardice, and systemic rot built the perfect runway for Trump's authoritarian ascent.
The Last American President rips open America's wounded democracy to expose a terrifying truth: Donald Trump isn't an anomaly—he's the inevitable product of a system engineered to fail. This searing investigation reveals how a man forged by childhood trauma, pathological narcissism, and calculated cruelty didn't hijack democracy—he was handed the keys by those who should have been its guardians.
Hartmann uncovers the unholy alliance between Trump's damaged psyche and America's rotted institutions. From Fred Trump's brutal parenting to Roy Cohn's lessons in shamelessness, from a Republican Party that traded principles for power to billionaire donors who treated democracy as a profit center, this book exposes the assembly line that manufactured an authoritarian.
But this is about more than Trump's past—it's about America's future. As climate catastrophe accelerates and fascism spreads globally, Hartmann reveals the nightmare scenario: a second Trump term that doesn't just end American democracy but also triggers irreversible planetary damage. Through meticulous research and unflinching analysis, he shows how political cowardice and corporate greed created the perfect storm that could extinguish humanity's last chance at survival.
This isn't just political commentary—it's a last-minute alarm sounding before the point of no return.
The Last American President rips open America's wounded democracy to expose a terrifying truth: Donald Trump isn't an anomaly—he's the inevitable product of a system engineered to fail. This searing investigation reveals how a man forged by childhood trauma, pathological narcissism, and calculated cruelty didn't hijack democracy—he was handed the keys by those who should have been its guardians.
Hartmann uncovers the unholy alliance between Trump's damaged psyche and America's rotted institutions. From Fred Trump's brutal parenting to Roy Cohn's lessons in shamelessness, from a Republican Party that traded principles for power to billionaire donors who treated democracy as a profit center, this book exposes the assembly line that manufactured an authoritarian.
But this is about more than Trump's past—it's about America's future. As climate catastrophe accelerates and fascism spreads globally, Hartmann reveals the nightmare scenario: a second Trump term that doesn't just end American democracy but also triggers irreversible planetary damage. Through meticulous research and unflinching analysis, he shows how political cowardice and corporate greed created the perfect storm that could extinguish humanity's last chance at survival.
This isn't just political commentary—it's a last-minute alarm sounding before the point of no return.
Transform your connections and leadership with five research-backed humor tactics to master authentic workplace comedy, boost team engagement, and lead with laughter.
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
- Surprise—Use the power of the unexpected to delight and captivate.
- Poke—Master the art of self-deprecating humor and gentle teasing.
- In-Jokes—Foster bonds through shared laughter and unique moments.
- Wordplay—Enhance your wit with clever banter and sharp language.
- Amplify—Turn ordinary stories into extraordinary, memorable moments.
Transform your connections and leadership with five research-backed humor tactics to master authentic workplace comedy, boost team engagement, and lead with laughter.
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
- Surprise—Use the power of the unexpected to delight and captivate.
- Poke—Master the art of self-deprecating humor and gentle teasing.
- In-Jokes—Foster bonds through shared laughter and unique moments.
- Wordplay—Enhance your wit with clever banter and sharp language.
- Amplify—Turn ordinary stories into extraordinary, memorable moments.
Transform your connections and leadership with five research-backed humor tactics to master authentic workplace comedy, boost team engagement, and lead with laughter.
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
Discover the secret weapon that transforms relationships, boosts creativity, and enhances leadership: humor. The Laughter Factor reveals how laughter isn't just a source of joy—it's a powerful tool for connection and success. Whether you're a leader, teacher, salesperson, or simply someone seeking stronger relationships, this book equips you with five humor tactics to captivate, connect, and inspire.
With decades of experience as a comedian and keynote speaker, author Adam Christing shares his proven methods to make humor work for anyone, anywhere. These five fundamental humor strategies include:
- Surprise—Use the power of the unexpected to delight and captivate.
- Poke—Master the art of self-deprecating humor and gentle teasing.
- In-Jokes—Foster bonds through shared laughter and unique moments.
- Wordplay—Enhance your wit with clever banter and sharp language.
- Amplify—Turn ordinary stories into extraordinary, memorable moments.
We are living in a time when dishonesty and duplicity are common in our public institutions, our workplaces, and even in our personal relationships. But by recognizing and resisting the small, seemingly inconsequential ways we make moral compromises in our own lives, we can repair the tear in our social and moral fabric.
The Law of Small Things begins with an IQ (Integrity Quotient) test designed to reveal the casual way we regard our promises and the misconceptions we have about acting truthfully. The book shows how most people believe that integrity is something we “just have” and that we just do, like a Nike commercial. It depicts these and other deceptions we deploy to appear to act with integrity without actually doing so.
The Law of Small Things also exposes how our culture encourages breaches of integrity through an array of “permitted promise-breaking,” a language of clichés that equates self-interest with duty, and the “illusion of inconsequence” that excuses small breaches with the breezy confidence that we can fulfill integrity when it counts.
Brody challenges the prevailing notion that integrity is a possession you hold permanently. No one “has integrity” and no one is perfect in practicing it. What we have is the opportunity to uphold promises and fulfill duties in each situation that faces us, large and small. Integrity is a practice and a habit of keeping promises, the ones we make explicitly and the ones that are implied in all our relationships.
Ultimately, developing skill in the practice of integrity leads us to knowledge of who we are--not in the way the culture defines us, but in the way we truly know ourselves to be.
The Law of Small Things begins with an IQ (Integrity Quotient) test designed to reveal the casual way we regard our promises and the misconceptions we have about acting truthfully. The book shows how most people believe that integrity is something we “just have” and that we just do, like a Nike commercial. It depicts these and other deceptions we deploy to appear to act with integrity without actually doing so.
The Law of Small Things also exposes how our culture encourages breaches of integrity through an array of “permitted promise-breaking,” a language of clichés that equates self-interest with duty, and the “illusion of inconsequence” that excuses small breaches with the breezy confidence that we can fulfill integrity when it counts.
Brody challenges the prevailing notion that integrity is a possession you hold permanently. No one “has integrity” and no one is perfect in practicing it. What we have is the opportunity to uphold promises and fulfill duties in each situation that faces us, large and small. Integrity is a practice and a habit of keeping promises, the ones we make explicitly and the ones that are implied in all our relationships.
Ultimately, developing skill in the practice of integrity leads us to knowledge of who we are--not in the way the culture defines us, but in the way we truly know ourselves to be.
We are living in a time when dishonesty and duplicity are common in our public institutions, our workplaces, and even in our personal relationships. But by recognizing and resisting the small, seemingly inconsequential ways we make moral compromises in our own lives, we can repair the tear in our social and moral fabric.
The Law of Small Things begins with an IQ (Integrity Quotient) test designed to reveal the casual way we regard our promises and the misconceptions we have about acting truthfully. The book shows how most people believe that integrity is something we “just have” and that we just do, like a Nike commercial. It depicts these and other deceptions we deploy to appear to act with integrity without actually doing so.
The Law of Small Things also exposes how our culture encourages breaches of integrity through an array of “permitted promise-breaking,” a language of clichés that equates self-interest with duty, and the “illusion of inconsequence” that excuses small breaches with the breezy confidence that we can fulfill integrity when it counts.
Brody challenges the prevailing notion that integrity is a possession you hold permanently. No one “has integrity” and no one is perfect in practicing it. What we have is the opportunity to uphold promises and fulfill duties in each situation that faces us, large and small. Integrity is a practice and a habit of keeping promises, the ones we make explicitly and the ones that are implied in all our relationships.
Ultimately, developing skill in the practice of integrity leads us to knowledge of who we are--not in the way the culture defines us, but in the way we truly know ourselves to be.
The Law of Small Things begins with an IQ (Integrity Quotient) test designed to reveal the casual way we regard our promises and the misconceptions we have about acting truthfully. The book shows how most people believe that integrity is something we “just have” and that we just do, like a Nike commercial. It depicts these and other deceptions we deploy to appear to act with integrity without actually doing so.
The Law of Small Things also exposes how our culture encourages breaches of integrity through an array of “permitted promise-breaking,” a language of clichés that equates self-interest with duty, and the “illusion of inconsequence” that excuses small breaches with the breezy confidence that we can fulfill integrity when it counts.
Brody challenges the prevailing notion that integrity is a possession you hold permanently. No one “has integrity” and no one is perfect in practicing it. What we have is the opportunity to uphold promises and fulfill duties in each situation that faces us, large and small. Integrity is a practice and a habit of keeping promises, the ones we make explicitly and the ones that are implied in all our relationships.
Ultimately, developing skill in the practice of integrity leads us to knowledge of who we are--not in the way the culture defines us, but in the way we truly know ourselves to be.