Magic and Management

About the Book

Whereas many recommend a paradigm change in order to cope with modern complexities, Caravantes and Bjur urge executives not to change their operating paradigms, but rather to become paradigm competent, that is, knowledgeable and competent in several ways of understanding and analyzing the working world. Four major paradigms are described: positive science, quantum physics, oriental mysticism, and existentialism.

The authors recognize that executives often are obligated to make important choices despite insufficient data and the inability to predict future outcomes. Hunches that one action is to be preferred over others are examples of high-level managers making use of more-than-rational intuitions – defined as knowing without knowing how you know. The authors think of this as a kind of subconscious "magic" not taught or developed in the curricula of schools of management, where the emphasis is on technical rationality and technique. The authors emphasize the importance of subconscious perceptions in enabling an executive's access to infra-conscious, extra-rational, or "magic" capabilities, and discuss some modern techniques that can be used to enhance an executive's magic and charisma.

Magic and Management is a fourth book co-authored by Bjur and Caravantes, until now published and marketed in Brazil. Their work is based on three decades of multi-cultural analysis and observation of management theory as it is practiced in many different countries. This work is designed for the experienced manager who desires to enhance personal knowledge and discover inherent, possibly hidden, abilities to excel in leadership.

About the Author

Wesley E. Bjur Ph.D., Emeritus Associate Professor, University of Southern California. Professor Bjur moved with his family to Chile in 1953, returning in 1964 to graduate studies. He joined the faculty of the University of Southern California as Director of their International Public Administration Center in 1966. In 1973 he was sent as Chief of Party to initiate an Institute of Urban and Regional Development in México, returning in 1975 to continue research and teaching on international development management and administrative change. United Nations, USAID, and Latin American Development Bank contracted Bjur as a consultant in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He served as Senior Fulbright Lecturer in Madrid 1990, returning to Madrid 1993-96 to teach graduate courses in modern administrative theory and practice. Married 50+ years, the Bjurs make their home in Sacramento, California living near a married daughter and four of 12 grandchildren.

Geraldo R. Caravantes Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, Universidade Federão do Rio Grande do Sul, ex-President of Research Foundation FAPERGS. Professor Caravantes has published 16 books on management, strategic planning, theories of administration, and related topics. He travels widely as lecturer and consultant to Brazilian universities and large corporations. He has delivered more than 450 seminars on executive development throughout Brazil, and has lectured and taught in Madrid and the United States. Married 30+ years, the Caravantes make their home in Porto Alegre, R.S. Brazil, where they enjoy the companionship of four married children and grandchildren.