Organizations are a part of everyday life, whether in schools, hospitals, police stations or commercial companies. In this text, Charles Handy argues that the key to successful organizations lies in a better understanding of the needs and motivations of the people within them. "Understanding Organizations" offers an extended "dictionary" of the key concepts - culture, motivations, leadership, role-playing, co-ordinating and consultation - and then shows how this "language" can help us find new solutions to familiar problems. All organizations need to select, develop and reward their people; to structure and design their work; to resolve political conflicts; to lay down guidelines for their managers; and to plan for the future. In each case, the approaches and techniques described here (and the perspectives opened up by the detailed "Guide to Further Study") should prove invaluable.