Transforming Leaders Into Progress Makers

Weaving together original research, novel strategies and tactics, and stories of successful leaders, this book provides insight into how to become a progress-making leader. Written by an academic and a business executive, the book provides actionable ideas grounded in sound research and tested in real organizations.

By using a research-driven model, discussing compelling cases from leading companies, and presenting seven actionable ideas to make progress, the book blends scholarly research and actionable strategies to empower readers to decide what issues to focus on and in what direction to lead.

Dedicated to all those who have chosen to make a difference with their life's work, the book's introduction, The Strategic Leadership Perspective, proposes that a primary emphasis in strategic leadership is unconsciously adopting or stepping into a different state of consciousness. Four sections include the challenges of leadership; the changing view of leaders; leadership in action, and case studies: evidence of transformed leadership. The first section describes some of the fundamental challenges facing leaders in organizations today. Section II, Changing Viewpoints, describes some of the mindsets of outstanding leaders--and ideas that can be adopted as experimental premises by anyone who chooses to operate from the creative, or leader, mindset. Section III describes activities and behavior that leaders can undertake to help them realize a quantum leap or two in the results they are getting. Finally, Section IV contains some case descriptions of the results some leaders have actually achieved by using the principles described in this collection.

As our world grows smaller, opportunities for conflict multiply. Ethnic, religious, political, and personal differences drive people apart—with potentially disastrous consequences—and it's the task of perceptive leaders to bring them together again World-renowned mediation expert Mark Gerzon argues that leaders have failed to rise to this challenge. Our organisations, schools, and governments remain filled with divisive dictators and everyday managers, instead of what he calls mediators—leaders who transform conflict so that everyone can move forward together. Through absorbing examples drawn from decades of work with organisational, political, and global conflicts of all kinds, Leading Through Conflict provides a powerful new framework for the leader as mediator, and outlines eight specific tools these leaders use to transform seemingly intractable differences into progress on deep-seated problems. Both practical and passionate, this book makes the tools of cross-border leaders accessible to anyone who wants to help create healthier companies, communities, and countries.

Be an transformational leader during times of rapid organizational change The Art of Change Leadership represents a major milestone in the study of change leadership. An approachable yet thorough guide for leaders and team members that illustrates how to increase speed and agility during times of intense technological innovation and fast change, this resource focuses on the ways in which you, as an individual, can harness your unique abilities to lead cultural change and personal leadership in a positive and proactive way. Through eleven comprehensive chapters, explore the need for increased human brain speed, how to improve your focus, the body/mind connection, agility within a team setting, improving productivity, communication with your team, and more. Technology, globalization, evolving business models—these are just some of the variables impacting the competitive landscapes across virtually all industries. To keep up with the changes that these and other factors are creating, it is critical that you are able to understand what change leadership is, why it is important, and how you can leverage it in your workplace to positively impact your company. Explore research on change leadership vs. change management to improve business Leverage technology to improve productivity and adaptability to rapid change Evolutionary approaches to change leadership that include energy management and innovative mindset approaches Discover questionnaires, assessments and quizzes to assess your change leadership agilities The Art of Change Leadership is a (r)evolutionary text that prepares you to increase your team's speed and agility, and to thrive in today's continually evolving business environment.

Written for people who strive to make a positive difference in the world, this book researches a variety of approaches for creating a bridge between inner lives and outer action. The 20 essays show lessons leaders can take to access the best parts of themselves and meet challenges.

What really makes a good business leader? Do you have to be an extraordinarily charismatic hero with a larger than life personality before you can make things happen? What if you’re not? What are the practical and personal lessons of good leadership that will help ordinary managers get the results they want by leading their teams effectively? Living Leadership 2e has the answers. This insightful and motivating book will help you discover how to make real connections with people, and become an effective leader who makes things happen in the real world. Built on a unique four-year experiment working alongside real leaders in real businesses, Living Leadership explodes the myth of the charismatic, transformational leader, to show that real progress comes from the dramatically ordinary stuff of leadership. By observing business leaders in top companies on a day-to-day basis, the authors found out how these top managers really spent their time and how they really made an impact. They saw these leaders holding key discussions with their teams; watched them formulate strategies, plans and visions; observed their behaviours, ambitions and frustrations. What emerged was a powerful set of principles and proven advice for managers everywhere who want to develop their leadership skills. New to this edition: The content is refreshed by using different quotes and examples from the leaders who took part in the original research. Plus there will be updates throughout.

A new book from the authors of the highly praised Transforming Leaders into Progress Makers, Leading with Care breaks new ground in the exploration of servant leadership. Bob DeKoch and Phil Clampitt, long-time collaborators, draw on their years of innovative practice and research to describe with vivid, real-world experiences, how leading with care enriches people and transforms organizations in our challenging times. DeKoch, with over 40 years of diverse executive leadership experience, which included 20 years leading The Boldt Company, a $1 billion construction services and real estate development company, has developed novel insights into leadership thinking and practice. Clampitt, an endowed, award-winning communication and information science professor at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has over 40 years of experience in university teaching, ground-breaking research, and business consulting. His lifelong passion is to explore the dynamic relationship between leadership, communication, and big ideas. Gallup recently reported that only 15% of employees in the United States are truly engaged in their workplace. Yet nearly 70% of employees say they would work harder if they felt more appreciated. Over 90% of employees surveyed believed their leadership “lacked communication skills to lead.” The gloomy stories behind sobering statistics reveal employees’ disappointment with current leadership approaches. Leaders can do better. That’s why the authors sought to go beyond the laudable sentiments of the “servant leadership” movement by envisioning, creating, and testing a new leadership platform based on a set of guiding beliefs and actual day-to-day practices. The authors’ unique perspective transforms traditional practices, like employee coaching and collaboration, into dynamic self-actualizing workplaces. How? By sharing how caring leaders adroitly blend visible and subtle practices to realize the aspirational benefits of coaching and collaboration. The authors use a similar approach to share insights about less frequently discussed leadership issues such as how to build an empowering network of relationships and transform pushback into progress. Anyone who wishes to craft their own distinctive, compelling, and empowering leadership style that unleashes the latent energy of people and their organizations will discover a robust and enriching framework for doing so in Leading with Care in a Tough World. “This book offers a simple yet powerful promise: caring leaders can produce extraordinary outcomes. With extensive research and sparkling details, DeKoch and Clampitt reveal how leaders at all levels can enlist our basic humanity to bring out the best in their teams.” --Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, When, and Drive “Leading with Care in a Tough World is a masterful book!!! It is pragmatic, thought-provoking, and exceptionally well-written. Effective leadership today requires you to grapple with a broad range of variables. DeKoch and Clampitt provide a framework, reinforced with real-world examples and self-assessment tools, that will help you turn ideas into effective action. If you’re a leader, or aspiring to become one, I strongly recommend this book.”--Frank Sonnenberg, Award-winning author of nine books, including Managing with a Conscience and The Path to a Meaningful Life "Unlock the keys to successful leadership in Leading with Care in a Tough World. Filled with inspiring stories, practical advice and years of tried-and-true methods, DeKoch and Clampitt will teach you how to be the leader of the future. An excellent read!"--Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of Triggers, Mojo, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. "How can we lead others - and ourselves - in an uncertain and fast-changing world? This humane, thoughtful, and practical new book shows the way." --Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business “Brilliant insight into the realities of leadership. DeKoch and Clampitt expose the manipulations that pass for emotional intelligence and the toxicity of fake positivity. Grounded in the difficult truths of human relationships, this excellent book illuminates the values and beliefs that guide a leader to success.” --Robert McKee, Fulbright Scholar and Globally Renowned Screen Writing Lecturer, Coach and Best Selling Author “An island of innovative insight amid an ocean of leadership BS.” --Professor James Barker, Herbert S. Lamb Chair in Business education, Dalhousie University