Fish!: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

I recently read the book Fish! by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen, and I have to say, it was a truly delightful and inspiring read. The book tells the story of Mary Jane, who discovers the Pike Place Fish Market and learns about a unique management philosophy that transforms her approach to work and life.What I loved most about Fish! was the way it blended storytelling with practical lessons about management and leadership. Through the story of the fishmongers at Pike Place, the authors illustrate the power of positive attitudes, creativity, and teamwork in achieving remarkable results. The fishmongers' infectious energy and commitment to their work are truly inspiring, and I found myself thinking about their lessons long after I finished the book.Another aspect of Fish! that I appreciated was its accessibility. The book is written in a straightforward and engaging style that makes it easy to read and apply the lessons to one's own life. Whether you're a manager looking to boost morale and productivity in your team or an individual seeking to improve your own performance, Fish! offers valuable insights and practical tips for achieving success.Overall, I highly recommend Fish! to anyone looking for a motivational and uplifting read that will leave you feeling energized and inspired. The book's message about the power of positivity and teamwork is timeless and universal, and I believe it has the potential to transform the way we think about work and life.

Great, fast-reading book

I have just finished reading this book as a requirement for a Master's degree course, and I found it very enjoyable. I especially liked the format, in which the author uses a fictional main character and company to illustrate his point.Mary Jane has recently accepted a new position as a manager in her company. The problem is, she's taking over the third floor, called "the toxic dump" by other employees. Morale is low and poor service is high. One day, Mary Jane decides to go for a walk over her lunch hour. She comes across the Pike Place Fish Market and is immediately taken aback. She cannot get over the enthusiasm of the employees and the satisfaction of the customers. Lonnie, the manager of the market, notices Mary Jane and begins talking to her. He learns about Mary Jane's department and the struggles she's facing. Lonnie decides to tell Mary Jane about his strategy at the fish market so that she may apply his principles to her situation. Lonnie's strategy contains four main points: choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present. All of these areas focus on the customer and putting his needs first.Mary Jane decides to try Lonnie's program out in her own department. At first, the going is rough and she meets with some resistance, but slowly, the employees begin to come around. A field trip to the market does wonders for Mary Jane's employees. Soon, everyone in Mary Jane's department has embraced Lonnie's philosophy and they are applying it to their own customer service.This book offers a fresh look at management. It is not so theoretical as other management books tend to be. Rather, the fictional, story-type text is easy to follow, and makes the reading much more enjoyable. The book is short enough to be read in one or two sittings, and the story is very well-conceived and will hold the reader's attention.I definitely recommend this book for both business and social organizations. I read it as a requirement for a Library Science class, and it's conclusions can be applied to a library, as well as business, setting. Read this book and learn some new tips in the field of management.

Fish! was an inspiring book that reveals key elements to maintaing a fun and energetic workplace. Through her conversations with a fishmonger (Lonnie), the main character (Mary Jane) learns the four components included in formation of a productive yet enjoyable environment. This is something that everyone is seeking within a job... and why shouldn't they? Most people work 5 days a week for almost all weeks of the year, which accounts for the better part of their lives. So why should they dread coming to work and begin the "weekend countdown" every Monday?The third floor or "toxic energy dump" (as it is referred to in the text) represents more of a condition/state of being rather than a specific location in the book. There are many businesses throughout the world with a "toxic energy dump", but this book presents a solution. Fishmonger Lonnie describes four lessons to Mary Jane that aid her efforts to improve the third floor: Play, Choose Your Attitude, Be Present, and Make Their Day.When Mary Jane first visits the Pike Place Fish Market, she discovers the excitement and fun that workers share with customers. They have taken a job that is smelly, unpleasant, etc. and turned it into an enjoyable environment for everyone. Though people achieve success at work through productivity, it is important to have fun. Life is too short to stress about work. The second item, choose your attitude, is the one that most people tend to overlook. Those who attend work with a poor mentality do nothing, but spread that mentality amongst the office employees. This lesson provides insight about the control workers have over their own place of work, which is often underestimated. The third topic of discussion shows Mary Jane the importance of being present, paying full attention to clients. There is a difference between hearing and listening to a customer. Through attentive and engaging behavior, better relationships are formed while both parties (customers and employees) benefit from the interaction. The last component to the Fish philosophy is to "make their day", referring to the clients. In most cases, people enjoy the little courtesies that help brighten their day. In the case of Pike Place, workers who improve the well being of others often feel a sense of accomplishment or pride in their job.These are all important elements that can/should be applied to any business. As a student nearing graduation, this book has helped me to better understand personal goals and needs within a work environment. Fish! not only points out common flaws in most offices, but provides people with the tools to recreate a more enjoyable career lifestyle. I would highly recommend this book to people who find themselves in a "toxic energy dump" or anyone else with a more fulfilling profession. This book explores a different mentality and approach that can be applied to any facet of life, both on a personal and professional level. To all those with a poor/unhappy mentality about work, I recommend going FISHING!

Recommended to team leaders or any boss who want to inspire and motivate their teams. It's fantastic the lesson you could learn!

Great book, easy to read

I read this in a single sitting - an easy read but with a powerful message. If you need to boost morale and improve results, I highly recommend this book.

Must buy this for your personal collection. The book gives us simple yet effective solutions.

Fish! is a great transformation recipe for the workplace. It’s really simple to make your workday a good one if you choose your attitude, choose to be present and keep having fun. It’s a must read for every business leader, from middle management to executives.