Review - Fish! by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, & John Christensen

So I'm going to start this post off with a disclaimer - I really don't read much nonfiction.  I generally read to escape real life, so reading about real life just does not tickle my fancy.  You'll only catch me reading nonfiction if it's a book about leadership, and even then only because it's required by my boss.  However, I was walking around an airport bookstore (again with the airport, I know) and picked up a book on the bestseller shelf.  I read the first few pages and was automatically hooked (no pun intended - seriously).

Fish! is a book about leadership and employee engagement.  I will say that after thinking about this for a minute, this book probably does not count as nonfiction because it's a "parable", but it's based on true events (kind of).  What enraptured me about this book is that it starts off the tale by describing a workplace environment that is completely toxic. Everyone hates their jobs, hates everyone they work with, and lives for 5 pm when they can leave.  Sound familiar to anyone?  Even though that's not the environment I work in now, I've definitely seen/experienced it before and want to do anything to prevent it from happening again to my team and my department.

The main character in the book, Mary Jane, is the manager of this toxic department.  She finds solace at the Pike Place Fish Market which is renowned for its energetic atmosphere and fantastic customer service (that's the part that's nonfiction).  She befriends one of the employees there who helps her figure things out.  He shows her how work can be enjoyable and fulfilling no matter what the task as long as you are having an impact and serving a greater good.  The main reason I find value in this book is that it lays out a way to engage your employees in building a high performing atmosphere.  I don't know how many of you who are reading this blog have employees, but if you do, this is a great book to read and share with them.  

Main points of a high performing atmosphere:

• Choose your attitude - You can't choose the work but you can choose the way you approach it.
• Play - Don't forget to enjoy yourself - your work is one of the biggest parts of your life and you should find joy and fulfillment in it.
• Make Their Day - Your customers can and will benefit from the high energy atmosphere.  Make sure your impact to their lives is what you want it to be.
• Be Present - In this day and age where we can be on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and email all at the same time, take time out for your customers to just focus on them.  They can definitely tell the difference and it will be a world of difference for them if you take the time to concentrate on their needs and what you can do to help.

All that to say, I highly recommend this book!  It's a little cheesy, what with being a parable and all, but it drives the point home.  I definitely plan on sharing these insights with my employees and know that it will have an impact.  4.5 out of 5 stars based on the value you can get out of this short and easy read.

~SP