Comments
A remarkable book, Presence is a journey from the present to an unknown future, a journey of exploration rather than dogma, and a journey toward a vision of humanity at its highest. Like a good documentary film, Presence is a book with "emotional truth," a wonderful combination of intellectual and visceral experience.
- Robert Fritz, author of The Path of Least Resistance
.......................................................................
At his turbulent juncture in human history, a whole new set of social innovations promises to shift humanity away from its destructive path toward a brighter planetary civilization. Presencing and its U process is one of the most profound. It provides all who want to change the world not only with profound hope but with a systematic and effective way to birth a sustainable planetary society.
- Nicanor Perlas, recipient of the 2003 Alternative Nobel Prize and the UN Environmental Program Global 500 Award
.......................................................................
If you believe, as I do, that an organization is ultimately a human community, then nothing is more important than how we sense our future and act to create it together. This is something all creative business leaders know yet have found almost impossible to talk about-until Presence.
- Rich Teerlink, CEO (retired), Harley-Davidson
.......................................................................
Presence is a timely and altogether important book. Drawing on a leading-edge understanding of human learning and awareness, it offers a simple but effective gateway to our capacity to become change agents of the future-in business, work, play, and relationships. Finding our presence is finding the key to creative change and to our own future.
- Ken Wilber, author of A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science, and Spirituality
.......................................................................
Presence is remarkable in at least three ways. First, the authors' work has extraordinary emotional as well as intellectual impact; it continued to affect me long after my initial reading. Second, I found that the insights I gleaned from the work depended on what was happening around me. I suspect I will take away different messages each time I read it. Third, the authors somehow opened me to unexpected messages and opportunities in my own life. My reading of Presence coincided with many seemingly change encounters that in very real and specific ways have been essential to my own work, helping me find new ways to connect with colleagues, customers, and the larger community.
- Darcy Winslow, General Manager, Global Women's Footwear, Apparel, Equipment, Nike, Inc.
.......................................................................
I received my copy of Presence in the mail last Thursday and I was done reading by Friday night. I'm passing on the word to everyone I know who cares about our future. Leadership educators have struggled to create purposeful frameworks for their programs. The progression of seeing, sensing, presencing, envisioning, enacting, and embodying are critical and logical elements to an emerging leadership identity and commitment.
- Dennis Roberts, Associate VP for Student Affairs, Miami University, OH
.......................................................................
Thank you for Presence. I increasingly believe that the best thing we can do for MBA and other students of management is to teach them some sort of mindfulness practices, so that they will become more aware in general, and more aware of the impacts of their decisions and actions as manager/leaders.
- Sandra Waddock, Professor of Management, Boston College, MA
.......................................................................
The story of Hitler's secretary made me realize that I am a living example of being an instrument without sensing and feeling. Although I have enjoyed what I do, it has no true meaning for me, and I am not serving life. I truly believe that many CEOs are in the same situation. I hope this book reaches many people who want to create change. I know we and the world need that, and Presence is an opener, a tool, and a guide.
- Stefan Skarin, CEO, Nocom, Sweden
.......................................................................
Rather than just introducing a set of new tools, Presence keeps me connected to the bigger picture, and reminds me of our purpose. Presence is also important because it is very brave. It talks about how most of us feel, but do not know how to express or explain—even to ourselves.
- Evrim Calkavur, Su Consulting, Istanbul
.......................................................................
Presence offers perspective and the hope of creating a reality more reflective of the human spirit. I found comfort in the dialogue, and the U Movement resonated with me. I am currently working on my doctorate and the information relative to the notion of fields is of great interest to me. I do believe that while we go about organizing to actualize the event or change, the field is in partnership with us, holding the future until it is manifested in this realm.
- Jody Graf, California
.......................................................................
You and your friends have illuminated, instructed, and brought hope and opportunity with this work. Presence is marked with a clarity fueled by humility appropriate to the mystery of the topic and the gravity of the times.
- Rose von Thater-Braan, The Native American Academy
.......................................................................