Too many people have decided that the safest way to get through life is to be small. They try not to attract attention to themselves, just tending their own safe little garden. They've decided it's too dangerous to think big, to speak out, to take risks. They might get shot down. Or look foolish. People will think they're just not good enough.
But, particularly today, organizations need people to step up and be BIG. We need new ideas, new products, new processes. People have to bring more of themselves to the workplace, to contribute more, and to have a bigger impact on the success of the organization.
This inspiring illustrated book challenges all of us to show up more fully as individuals and in our interactions with others and to find ways to be BIG together. In straightforward, incisive language, Judith Katz and Frederick Miller help us understand all of the many, sometimes subtle ways we make ourselves small. They show how we make others small as well and how these same attitudes can keep us from working together effectively. And they encourage us to nourish new attitudes that will make us, our coworkers, and our organizations bigger.
Be BIG invites us to bring more of ourselves to each situation—whether working independently, with another individual, or with a group—so that we can do our best work together.
Daring to Do Our Best Work Together
Too many people have decided that the safest way to get through life is to be small. But organizations need people to step up and be big. People have to bring more of themselves to the workplace, to contribute more and have a bigger impact.
Be BIG challenges each of us to show up more fully as individuals and in our interactions with others and to find ways to be big together.
“There exist hundreds of books that aim to coach the individual (me) in the workplace: even more are written to help managers and leaders bring the best out in their employees (you). And a few books touch on the subject of the we of a company, organization, or group. The gem you are holding brings me, you, and we together into one small miracle of a book that has BIG implications for you, your job, and your workplace. I recommend Be BIG to anyone ready to step into a livelier, more fulfilling, and more generous way of being.”
—Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder, Omega Institute, and author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and The Seeker’s Guide
Too many people have decided that the safest way to get through life is to be small. They try not to attract attention to themselves, just tending their own safe little garden. They've decided it's too dangerous to think big, to speak out, to take risks. They might get shot down. Or look foolish. People will think they're just not good enough.
But, particularly today, organizations need people to step up and be BIG. We need new ideas, new products, new processes. People have to bring more of themselves to the workplace, to contribute more, and to have a bigger impact on the success of the organization.
This inspiring illustrated book challenges all of us to show up more fully as individuals and in our interactions with others and to find ways to be BIG together. In straightforward, incisive language, Judith Katz and Frederick Miller help us understand all of the many, sometimes subtle ways we make ourselves small. They show how we make others small as well and how these same attitudes can keep us from working together effectively. And they encourage us to nourish new attitudes that will make us, our coworkers, and our organizations bigger.
Be BIG invites us to bring more of ourselves to each situation—whether working independently, with another individual, or with a group—so that we can do our best work together.Daring to Do Our Best Work Together
Too many people have decided that the safest way to get through life is to be small. But organizations need people to step up and be big. People have to bring more of themselves to the workplace, to contribute more and have a bigger impact.
Be BIG challenges each of us to show up more fully as individuals and in our interactions with others and to find ways to be big together.
“There exist hundreds of books that aim to coach the individual (me) in the workplace: even more are written to help managers and leaders bring the best out in their employees (you). And a few books touch on the subject of the we of a company, organization, or group. The gem you are holding brings me, you, and we together into one small miracle of a book that has BIG implications for you, your job, and your workplace. I recommend Be BIG to anyone ready to step into a livelier, more fulfilling, and more generous way of being.”
—Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder, Omega Institute, and author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and The Seeker’s Guide
“Be BIG is an inspirational book on recognizing the BIGness in yourself and others, removing the blinders, and partnering to make a difference in the world.”
Hal Yoh, Chair and CEO, Day & Zimmermann
“Enthusiastically reading Fred and Judith's book Be BIG makes me wonder why I, or anyone, would ever consider being small again. And why would we miss the thrills of being BIG together? Two or more BIGs make a gigantic great!”
Edith Whitfield Seashore, organization consultant and coauthor (with Beverley Patwell) of Triple Impact Coaching: Use-of-Self in the Coaching Process
“Every organization wants to be the best. This book deals with the most fundamental require- ment to make it happen—how to help all associ- ates be their best! Its message is fun, quick, and impactful. A great team read.”
Jim Miller, President, Institutional North America Sector, Ecolab, Inc.
“This book boldly illustrates what's needed next once an organization is committed to inclusion and diversity. If difference is going to make a difference, everyone needs to be seen and heard, everyone needs to be valued, everyone needs to be BIG. Using direct, clear, uncompromising language, Katz and Miller give us a provocative new lens to enlarge ourselves and others and to see the true, long-term payoffs of inclusion.”
Peter F. Norlin, PhD, Executive Director, Organization Development Network
“Be BIG should remind every leader of an organi- zation that stepping up, stepping out, and being bold is very difficult for many and impossible for all if the leader doesn't create an environment of ‘Be BIG' to Win BIG.”
Larry D. DeShon, Executive Vice President of Operations, Avis Budget Group
“Be BIG simply and clearly offers tips you can implement at work tomorrow to help you and your company reach your very best.”
Dr. Mark S. Albion, cofounder, Net Impact, and New York Times bestselling author of Making a Life, Making a Living and True to Yourself: Leading a Values-Based Business
“This book offers me a simple reminder that it is my responsibility as a leader and manager to help those who work for me to be their BIG selves. Seeing myself as BIG and seeing my team as BIG positions us to do our best work together!”
Cindy Szadokierski, Vice President, Operational Services, United Express and Ted
“Be BIG is a deceptively simple presentation of some important ideas about reaching your potential as a person and as a team member. In our increasingly interdependent world, learning how to ‘Step Up, Step Out, and Be Bold' in ways that enable others to do the same is a vitally important skill.”
L. David Brown, Associate Director for International Programs, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University
“Be BIG illustrates how throwing off what limits us and our interaction allows us to excel and to enjoy our true potential.”
Joel Lamstein, President, John Snow, Inc. World Education
“Be BIG will tell you what you probably already know—that bringing your best self to your work will empower you and your team to accomplish so much more. It will also tell you what you probably don't know—exactly how to do it and how to help others do the same. It will forever change your perception of what you can achieve.”
Jonah Sachs, President, Free Range Studios
“This is a refreshingly straightforward and genuine look at what it takes to make a significant con- tribution to our organizations and our careers in those organizations. This little book is as BIG as it wants us to be.”
Bailey W. Jackson, EdD, Chair, Social Justice Graduate Education, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
“This is a wonderful book about three important, but elusive, imperatives for success: being your full self, seeing others as they really are, and using the power of partnering. It's full of clear ideas and straightforward advice that will help you to be Bigger, Better, and Bolder at work, at home, and at play!”
Robert J. Marshak, PhD, Scholar in Residence, American University, and author of Covert Processes at Work: Managing the Five Hidden Dimensions of Organizational Change
“Companies are desperate for all employees to be present and contribute every day. Be BIG . . . explains why employees choose not to show up and how it hurts everyone in the organization. The book provides a clear way for all employees to be the best they can and to help their companies reach their goals.”
Raymond Necci, President and COO, Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas
“Be BIG offers profound insights into simple yet powerful ideas to enable people to show up BIG in life and contribute fully in their work.”
Maya Hu-Chan, President, Global Leadership Associates
“Judith and Fred are challenging us to grow up and be present! We live in a time when we need our best selves to confront the increasingly com- plex economic, social, and technical problems of our society. Their call is both brave and essential. I believe that if you dare to step into this book with both feet, you will come away with more than you ever imagined—for yourself, for others, and for the world.”
Sandra Janoff, PhD, Codirector, Future Search Network
“Everyone who works with or for an organization needs to read this book and practice the messages. Be BIG is fun, easy to read, and powerful. I wish I would have had it to read ages ago when I first went to work for a corporation.”
Julie O'Mara, President, O'Mara and Associates, and author of Diversity Activities and Training Designs
“The universal answer on how to live has never been told in such a clear, simple, and compelling manner. The practical operating instructions for living a fulfilled life are all here in this short, timeless book.”
Claude F. G. Elsen, Managing Partner, Consilux
“Judith and Fred have again given us a gift and extended to us a wonderful invitation to set our mind on a Be BIG channel. This book will engage us to help others and help ourselves move toward a very daring but rewarding challenge . . . taking the time to create the WE.”
Mila N. Baker, PhD, Vice President, Human Resources, SourceMedia Publishing
Introduction: The Need to Be BIG
Part 1: ME
Chapter 1 Being my small self
Chapter 2 Being my BIG self
Part 2: YOU
Chapter 3 Seeing YOU as small
Chapter 4 Seeing YOU as BIG
Part 3: WE
Chapter 5 Making ME and YOU small
Chapter 6 Me and You BIG Together
Conclusion: Daring to do Our Best Work TOGETHER
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
