Semler's account of how he arrived at Semco's democratic organizational culture is a fascinating case of personal growth. Some readers, however, may be less interested in "how I got there" and some of the Brazilian background than in its account what Semco has actually achieved in workplace governance. In this respect, Maverick is a seminal book, because Semco's management style is so unusual. Just reading about it is a liberating experience!
As to practical application, the book has some very readable sections such as the excerpts from the famous Semco operating manual, its glossary (which has "valuably eccentric" ideas), and a test for employees to rate supervisors. These sections give a very good introduction to empowerment and workplace democracy that can be read usefully anybody.
Put Maverick's operating philosophy together with Tom Peter's reinventing work ideas (most particularly in his The Circle of Innovation). Then, add in some Greenleaf servant leadership and combine with some shared vision (a la Chapter 11 of Senge's Fifth Discipline). You then have an excellent recipe for best practice 21st century management. More books like this showing in detail how advanced ideas actually have been successfully implemented in the workplace are very much needed.
The very same democracy that teeters between chaos and order, that gives life, that gives growth. The same democracy that has helped a chaotic country like India survive and grow!
What is the secret of Semco and a country like India?
Something tells me the value that both these systems give to individuals..the dignity, the basic humanness is cherished and therefore the individuals give the same back to the system.
Oh yes, there is a lot of order and predictability in the traditional organization and the dictatorship...but any living system that does not respect life and humanness is bound to fall down on itself.
So in a way, Ricardo Semler by embracing disoder, chaos and democracy gives us back our faith in humanity and human beings.