Taming the Dragons of Change - Dick Stieglitz
Dick Stieglitz may not be a rocket scientist but he is a nuclear engineer and has a PhD to go with it. He is a man who has had a lot of success in his life. He has started and run several very successful companies, led flourishing careers, and enjoyed a comfortable life. He also has seen hardships. From his rough beginnings in an orphanage to marital separation to dealing with a troubled and rebellious daughter Dick has had to encounter the darker side of life as well. We all go through our own ups and downs, but what sets Dr. Stieglitz apart from the rest of us is that he put into writing his battle with change and shares the tools that he used to help confront its dragons.
The first thing that struck me when I began flipping through the pages of Dr. Stieglitz’s ‘self help’ book for change was the honesty and frankness of his style. On page one he unveils his life story and moves through the successes and failures that have taken his life for its ride. His need for control was what led him to success and also primed him for failure. He uses this as a springboard for confronting change in our lives. Change is inevitable and we can’t hide from it; we get caught when we try to impose our old ways upon an ever-changing new world. The book is geared to help the individual adapt to the change that is sure to enter their life and how to actually use change to their advantage. This is not your typical book as there isn’t a linear order that must be followed for the book to be effective. In fact Dick recommends that the reader flip through the book and read and apply only the sections that seem to be most relevant. He is straightforward with the fact that he does not have all the answers and that even the tips he has written aren’t universal truths. The beauty of ‘Taming the Dragons of Change’ is that while one section of the book may not apply in the slightest to you the reader, the following chapter may be that pearl of wisdom you needed. The book is very easy to pick through and perfect for readers who don’t have a lot of time to devote to reading. The short essays lend themselves to the reader with the start and stop lifestyle. Another thing that I liked about this book was that he draws solely from his own stories and experiences. The honesty in his writing makes it approachable and gives reassurances that “this stuff really works.” He doesn’t harp on the cliché’s that litter most ‘self help’ books he just writes about where he’s been and how he’s made it through.
I enjoyed ‘Taming the Dragons of Change.’ The down to earth flow helps to keep things in perspective and allows this book to shine among the millions that have filled the genre. The biggest plus for me was that I could flip through and read what I thought looked interesting. Dick has a lot of insights from his past four decades of growing and changing and uses the pages of this book to express some of them in a very approachable manner. It isn’t the perfect book, as there were a few excerpts that didn’t connect with me but when it was all said and done I was glad that I read it. It provides fuel for introspection and will help equip the reader for the inevitable change that plagues us all.
Reviewed by Ben Black
