In a 1989 book, Managing as a Performing Art, Vaill introduced the metaphor of white water to describe the turbulent, chaotic environment typical of today s global marketplace. In this current book, Learning as a Way of Being, Vaill argues that the only way today s managerial leader can cope, survive, and be successful in this white water world is to become a continual learner. The book s primary audience is those who would be managerial leaders. Vaill argues that in these white water circumstances managers are all beginning learners, but few want to accept that designation.
Beginner is a low status label.
It contradicts the role of experienced manager, and it makes the manager feel as if things are out of control. However, the current mythology informs the good manager things are not supposed to be out of control. Managerial leaders are caught in a bind between the mythology and the raging currents of white water. Vaill s solution is to adopt learning as a way of being. The majority of the book is devoted to helping the reader learn what this means.