Shift

From Product to People

By: Pete Oliver-Krueger, Michael Dougherty

Narrated by: Karen Fleming

A novel about organizational change for leaders who want to create a people-centered culture.

This book tells the story of an organization first failing, then learning how to be successful through being “People-First”. The leadership team at the Ares Innovation Center finds itself a victim of corporate espionage at the hands of a once-trusted partner. Outclassed by this ally-turned-competitor who can copy their every move in half the time, the future of the Ares Innovation Center is hanging in the balance.

Executive VP Tim recruits Angela, an experienced Agile Coach, to help the leadership team craft its response. But she first has to win over Naomi, the skeptical Product Manager, Jayson, the formidable Engineering Manager, Don, the territorial Sales Director, Vera, the over-protective Art Director, and Roy, the combative Data Scientist, not to mention a small army of Product Owners, Scrum Masters, Designers, Developers, and Testers.

Does this sound like your organization? They already know change is necessary, but Angela knows that HOW we introduce change into an organization has more impact than WHICH changes we introduce.

The story is presented in three parts:

• Part 1: Realizing the current model no longer works
• Part 2: Relearning how to center customers, employees, and leaders as people
• Part 3: Designing an organizational operating model, people-first

Pete and Michael rotate the point of view between characters with each chapter, allowing the reader to experience how different personalities perceive change. Join the Ares team as they embark on a journey to redefine their future and emerge from the shadow of their rival.

"Michael and Pete have crafted a story (based on real events) filled with situations we’ve all experienced. I wish I could have handled them as elegantly as Angela did." - Jason Little

©2024, 2025 OikosofySeries (P)2026 Pete Oliver-Krueger Michael Dougherty

Critic reviews

"Michael and Pete have crafted a story (based on real events) filled with situations we’ve all experienced. I wish I could have handled them as elegantly as Angela did." —Jason Little, Author of Lean Change Management