Edgewalkers

"Judi Neal is an Edgewalker. Her book magnificently describes the profile of individuals and corporations committed to the essential and spiritual transformation of the human family." -- Michael Stephen, Chairman, Aetna International, Inc. (Retired) "When I think of the word Edgewalker Judi Neal immediately comes to mind. Through her powerful writings, presentations, and leadership of the Association for Spirit at Work she has stretched the minds and hearts of thousands of people. This book is a must read for anyone who has ever considered living and working in pursuit of a higher calling that just might change the world." -- Charles C. Manz, author of Super Leadership, Emotional Discipline, and co-author of The Wisdom of Solomon at Work "Visionaries can peer through the screen that separates reality from possibilities and see glimpses of a more hopeful way. Edgewalkers however, can move easily between both worlds, blending the best of both into their lives and world. Executives, leaders and anyone who resides in Maslow's top realm will love this book! It's their passport to the better frontier." -- Martha I. Finney, consultant and co-author, HR From the Heart: Inspiring Stories and Strategies for Building the People Side of Great Business "As you think about all the voices raised on issues about management and leadership over the last 20 years, most have been echoes. Judi Neal, by contrast, has been an original. She pulsed the appetite for managerial leaders to talk about issues like 'workplace spirit' early; then she started to profile the people who were making such issues tangible, manageable, popular, and productive. The result is her amazing Edgewalkers book. There is really no other book like it, because there is no other voice quite like Judi's. Listen up." -- Tom Brown, Publisher and Co-founder, BrownHerron Publishing, and Best Practice editor, Business: The Ultimate Resource "Years ago we called ourselves 'corporate outlaws', managers who were willing to toss aside accepted practice and try new and different techniques. Today Judi Neal has put a new name to leaders who take risk and who understand the importance of the whole person to an organization-Edgewalkerss! I'm proud to be one and to have participated in Judi's workshops, where my leadership skills were set even more wildly free. Every organization needs Edgewalkers." -- Sharron Emmons, Information Technology Manager, Northeast Utilities System

Featuring interviews with edgewalkers from a variety of fields and practical tools to gauge and manage the reader's own edgewalking skills, this work explores the opportunities that are created by defying formal boundaries and fostering creativity at every level of the organisation.In ancient cultures, each village had a shaman or medicine man who would visit the invisible world to obtain vital information, guidance, and healing for members of the tribe. These edgewalkers have contemporary counterparts in today's organizations—those individuals who don't fit squarely into any one box; in their metaphorical travels they interpret trends from the marketplace, translate messages across departments, and envision the future impact of today's decisions and actions. Edgewalking doesn't come without its own risks and challenges; these unconventional people often clash with more traditional, rule-bound colleagues, and they are often frustrated by organizational systems that emphasize quantitative results over creative impulses. And yet in today's fast-changing, diverse, and globalized business environment, organizations must recruit and support these people in order to stay competitive. Featuring colorful interviews and practical tools to gauge and manage your own edgewalking skills, Edgewalkers explores the opportunities that are created by defying formal boundaries and fostering creativity at every level of the organization. They're the first people to volunteer to head up a new business unit, lead a cross-company initiative, or take on an overseas assignment. They're the glass half-full folks, who are constantly thinking out of the box, forging alliances with colleagues in other departments, seeking out new solutions to old problems, and anticipating challenges on the horizon. And in today's increasingly diverse workplaces, they are often people who have pursued unusual educational and career paths, traveled widely, and speak more than one language. Judi Neal has a term for these people: Edgewalkers. Literally, an edgewalker is someone who walks between two worlds. In ancient cultures, each village had a shaman or medicine man who would visit the invisible world to obtain vital information, guidance, and healing for members of the tribe. Today's corporate edgewalkers serve a similar function, interpreting trends from the marketplace, translating messages across departments, and envisioning the future impact of today's decisions and actions. Edgewalking doesn't come without its own risks and challenges; these unconventional people often clash with more traditional, rule-bound...