The Necessity of Strangers by Alan Gregerman - Book review

The Necessity of Strangers

The Intriguing Truth About Insight, Innovation, and Success

By: Alan Gregerman

Published: September 10, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1118461304
ISBN-13: 978-1118461303
Publisher: Jossey-Bass










"In an important way,practically all of my best ideas are built on the ideas and insights of others who were at one time strangers", writes consultant, keynote speaker, and President and Chief Innovation Officer of VENTURE WORKS Inc., Alan Gregerman in his refreshing and insightful book The Necessity of Strangers: The Intriguing Truth About Insight, Innovation, and Success. The author describes how the impact of strangers on people's life is essential for success, are even more important than friends, and how to find and engage those necessary strangers.

Alan Gregerman recognizes that concept of strangers being necessary for creative thinking, innovation, and new perspectives is counter to the conventional wisdom of companies. Considering strangers as essential also goes against what people are taught and to think for their entire lives. In organizations strangers are people who bring different ideas, and what is considered possibly dangerous change to the culture.

As a result, strangers are thought to be a problem to be avoided or prevented from entry to the company. Instead of thinking in this standard mode, Alan Gregerman demonstrates that rather than being a problem, strangers are in fact a powerful solution.

Alan Gregerman (photo left) recognizes the fears and anxiety that surrounds the concept of seeking out and engaging strangers. The author presents a compelling case that strangers are in fact more crucial to success than friends. Alan Gregerman recommends taking the bold step of reexamining one's preconceived ideas about strangers, and embracing them for the objectivity and honesty. To underline the importance of strangers, the author offers the following shorthand as explore, connect, innovate, grow.

Alan Gregerman provides a complete reconsideration of the entire concepts of strangers in our personal and working lives. The author points out how people are passing up a tremendous and transformational opportunity by not seeking out, engaging, and embracing the potential of strangers. Indeed, Alan Gregerman considers strangers are so important to success that we can't achieve our fullest potential without them. The author examines the following aspects f strangers and their necessity:

* Necessity
* Aversion
* Mindset
* Innovation
* People
* Collaboration
* Customers
* Leadership
* Taking the first step

For me, the power of the book is how Alan Gregerman combines a comprehensive framework for understanding the importance of strangers, with the practical steps to meeting, engaging, and embracing the necessity of strangers. The author goes beyond the usual discussion about strangers beyond friends, widening the conversation to include people of other cultures, backgrounds, and worldviews. At a time when company leaders are searching desperately for creativity and innovation, to solve their most confounding problems, the concept of seeking out and engaging strangers is a powerful solution.

Along with the importance of strangers for innovation, Alan Gregerman makes a strong case for adding diversity to the workplace. The value of different perspectives, provided by diverse strangers, brings creativity and innovation to the organization. At the same time, strangers can transform a moribund company culture into one of engaged employees. Seeking out the right strangers, and developing a connection with them, leads to success for all.

I highly recommend the transformational and success building book The Necessity of Strangers: The Intriguing Truth About Insight, Innovation, and Success by Alan Gregerman, to any business leaders at any level, nonprofit executives, community leaders, and anyone seeking fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to their personal and workplace challenges and obstacles. This book will change the way you think about strangers, and consider them truly necessary for your success,