Trust is a topic that surfaces regularly with my clients. For some, trust seems like a "nice to have," but Covey and Link remind us that when trust is low, speed is also low and cost is high. It's a business imperative to build trust in the organization.
Not everyone knows how to build trust. The authors help with that first by distinguishing between Blind Trust, Distrust and Smart Trust. Then they provide us with an understanding of Smart Trust Actions as well as clarifying good trust building behaviors.
This is a great read with excellent examples!
I find myself doing quite a bit of work with teams in conflict. While I have many tools and techniques (including GO Team, of course), I am always interested in learning more.
The authors of this book are both key individuals at Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute and both do work for Center for Creative Leadership. With much research behind their writing, I found many useful models and tools for team conflict.
The 3 critical characteristics they share perspective and tools for are:
The book recommends an assessment called the Conflict Dynamic Profile®. The profile measures Constructive Responses, Destructive Responses and Hot Buttons. After looking at sample assessment results, I decided to get certified to use the assessment. I'm completing my certification this month, so if you are interested in learning more, give me a call!
Gary is a talented writer, and has added a new book to his Just In Time Leadership Series. This one deals with a very challenging topic - moving into a position where you will manage people who are your friends or people who have been your peers.
Gary provides a practical approach to this challenge complete with great examples that make it easy to implement!
This is an e-book with a low price. If you don't need it for yourself, recommend it to someone who does! They will thank you for it!
With many excellent examples, Thompson supports his premise that "leadership is all about being able to make good decisions during bad times." He makes several connections between stress, fatigue, cognitive performance and more. For example:
Thompson provides suggestions to overcome these challenges -- I suggest you consider reading the book to learn more.
Just published, 42 Rules for Your New Leadership Role is a must read for anyone who is changing to a new leadership role. Whether you are taking on a new leadership role in your current organization or in a new organization, you will find very practical advice for getting off to an excellent start! Pam has been coaching senior leaders for two decades, and her experience comes through loud and clear in this book. The book is available at www.amazon.com.
Daniel Pink shifts our thinking about motivation! He describes the "7 Deadly Flaws" of "Carrots and Sticks" and helps us see that rewards, by their very nature, narrow one's focus and reduce the chances of success! Intrinsic motivation depends on the 3 basic needs of autonomy, mastery and purpose and is self-directed. He expands on each of these 3 needs and provides tools to focus in these areas! I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs to get work done through others!
This excellent book on leadership demonstrates the value of each of five key leadership styles:
We are reminded by Scott and Ellen of the importance of flexing styles based on the situation or context. This book reinforced my beliefs about leadership and put leadership in a model that makes sense and is useful. The book contains excellent tools for assessment and practical techniques for the use of the 5 Dimensions.
The tipping point is that moment when an ideas, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. In this book Malcolm Gladwell effectively illustrates the tipping point phenomenon with great examples. He helps us see how little causes can have great big effects and how change can happen at one dramatic moment. Malcolm shares the critical components of the tipping point, helping us see how we can be effective in influencing others.
When I read a business book, I usually am looking for something practical -- a model or process -- that I can use in my life or in my work. I take notes as I read and then use those notes to summarize the book and to apply my learning.
In the case of Blink, I finished the book and had no written notes or immediate ideas of how to apply the material. Yet, in the first week after reading the book, I've already used examples from it and have shared the concepts in workshops and in conversations.
The power of the book is in the examples and in the awareness one gains about oneself and about the US culture. We make judgments every day in the blink of an eye -- and we can learn to do a better job of judging by learning to better read what we see.
This is a quick read and a fascinating book -- no wonder it s another best seller for Gladwell.
Kevin Cashman challenges us to consider that leadership isn't only something we do, but rather an expression of who we are. This book provides an opportunity for self-reflection as well as practical tools to get to the essence of leadership: authentic self-expression that creates value.