Icons and Idiots
Icons and Idiots

Author: Bob Lutz

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2013-06-04

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1101608080

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When Bob Lutz retired from General Motors in 2010, after an unparalleled forty-seven-year career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected leaders in American business. He had survived all kinds of managers over those decades: tough and timid, analytical and irrational, charismatic and antisocial, and some who seemed to shift frequently among all those traits. His experiences made him an expert on leadership, every bit as much as he was an expert on cars and trucks. Now Lutz is revealing the leaders-good, bad, and ugly-who made the strongest impression on him throughout his career. Icons and Idiots is a collection of shocking and often hilarious true stories and the lessons Lutz drew from them. From enduring the sadism of a Marine Corps drill instructor, to working with a washed-up alcoholic, to taking over the reins from a convicted felon, he reflects on the complexities of all-too-human leaders. No textbook or business school course can fully capture their idiosyncrasies, foibles and weaknesses - which can make or break companies in the real world. Lutz shows that we can learn just as much from the most stubborn, stupid, and corrupt leaders as we can from the inspiring geniuses. The result is a powerful and entertaining guide for any aspiring leader.

Start Right, Stay Right-- Lead Right
Start Right, Stay Right-- Lead Right

Author: Steve Ventura

Publisher: The Walk The Talk Company

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 9781885228864

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"Unlock Your Leadership Potential with Lead Right!" Having a leadership position doesn't automatically make you a leader-it's a distinction earned through specific behaviors and actions. "Leader" is not just a title; it's a descriptor that reflects your actions today and your commitment to growth tomorrow. In Lead Right, written in a no-nonsense style, you'll find a collection of ideas and proven strategies guaranteed to help you become a more effective and respected leader. From practical tips to actionable insights, this book will empower you to do what leaders do best-lead by example and inspire greatness in others. Discover how to: Develop the key behaviors that define true leadership. Earn the respect and trust of your team through your actions. Lead with integrity, empathy, and vision. Navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience and determination. Don't settle for just holding a leadership position-become the leader you aspire to be. Get your copy of Lead Right today and embark on your journey to leadership excellence!

The Transparent Leader
The Transparent Leader

Author: Herb Baum

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2005-10-04

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 0060565489

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Drawing on his experience as a leader in some of the nation's largest corporations, Baum issues a convincing call for honest, ethical, "transparent" dealing throughout the business world. Baum outlines the management techniques he uses within and without the company to get outstanding results without skirting the rules or bending the truth. Baum maintains that by fostering trust, integrity and accountability at all levels within the corporation, managers can stop the erosion of employee loyalty, restore consumer trust in brands, products, and American business. Baum teaches executives fresh ways of managing Wall Street analysts, communicating with shareholders, and wading through the complex maze of social responsibility issues. As a member of six corporate boards, Baum offers unique insight into transparent leadership, including the advantages and pitfalls of corporate governance, and the pressures executives face in reporting earnings. He also discusses the importance of setting standards for ethical business practices, yet highlights the dangers of government regulations that may result in excessive compliance costs at the expense of shareholders, creative risk taking, and innovation.

Straight Talk on Leadership
Straight Talk on Leadership

Author: R. Douglas Williamson

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-07-25

Total Pages: 333

ISBN-13: 1118583019

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An urgent wake-up call—and radical action plan—for business leaders everywhere While it focuses primarily on Canadian business, this important book shares valuable insights of benefit to transformational business leaders everywhere. Without sugar coating his message, author R. Douglas Williamson, head of the prestigious consultancy, The Beacon Group, points to complacency, lack of leadership sophistication, and an inward focus as the chief reasons why Canadian companies are at risk of falling behind the rest of the world. Issuing an urgent call to action, Williamson helps leaders understand the four principle challenges facing the modern leader and describes the eight essential leadership competencies required to navigate the future. He provides powerful strategies, tools and techniques for how to reframe thinking about leadership and reform leadership strategies. Case Studies from The Beacon Group’s wide and diversified client base include The Four Seasons, Scotiabank, Nortel Networks, Research in Motion, The Hudson’s Bay Company, Export Development Canada, Holt Renfrew, and many others. An impassioned call to action for leaders everywhere combined with practical advice and tools to help leaders take up the responsibility of transformational leadership during a period of unprecedented change and monumental global challenges. One of the rare books to focus on Canadian business and business leadership, it explains why that country's competitiveness is in serious jeopardy and what can be done about it.

Straight Talk on Leadership
Straight Talk on Leadership

Author: R. Douglas Williamson

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 9781188583004

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An urgent wake-up call--and radical action plan--for business leaders everywhere. While it focuses primarily on Canadian business, this important book shares valuable insights of benefit to transformational business leaders everywhere. Without sugar coating his message, author R. Douglas Williamson, head of the prestigious consultancy, The Beacon Group, points to complacency, lack of leadership sophistication, and an inward focus as the chief reasons why Canadian companies are at risk of falling behind the rest of the world. Issuing an urgent call to action, Williamson helps leaders understand the four principle challenges facing the modern leader and describes the eight essential leadership competencies required to navigate the future. He provides powerful strategies, tools and techniques for how to reframe thinking about leadership and reform leadership strategies; Case Studies from The Beacon Group's wide and diversified client base include The Four Seasons, Scotiabank, Nortel Networks, Research in Motion, The Hudson's Bay Company, Export Development Canada, Holt Renfrew, and many others; An impassioned call to action for leaders everywhere combined with practical advice and tools to help leaders take up the responsibility of transformational leadership during a period of unprecedented change and monumental global challenges; One of the rare books to focus on Canadian business and business leadership, it explains why that country's competitiveness is in serious jeopardy and what can be done about it.--

Dare
Dare

Author: Becky Blalock

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-09-13

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 111874473X

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From a veteran Fortune 500 executive, how women can reach and succeed in top leadership positions Though women hold a majority of the managerial and professional jobs in the workforce, they occupy a mere 14% of C-suite positions at Fortune 500 firms. To break through this stubborn glass ceiling, women must learn to take bold steps when career-defining moments arise. During her 33-year career at Southern Company, a Fortune 500 utility company, Becky Blalock rose to become CIO in a traditionally male industry. Now she offers her own hard-won advice, as well as that of 28 top female executives, to show all aspiring women how to dare to reach the highest tier of leadership and C-suite positions. Includes advice and mentoring lessons from top women business leaders such as: Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA; Kat Cole, President of Cinnabon; Carol Tomé, CFO of Home Depot; Dr. Beverly Tatum, president of Spelman College, and Jeanette Horan, CIO of IBM, among many others Features straightforward, honest advice on gaining confidence, speaking up, finding mentors, learning to fail, building a network of allies, managing others, and more Written by pioneering business leader Becky Blalock, with a Foreword by Anne Mulcahy, former chairperson and CEO of Xerox Corporation Dare is must-needed guide for women everywhere, at every level, striving to develop the character, skills, and relationships that deliver greater success in the workplace.

Straight Talk Your Way to Success
Straight Talk Your Way to Success

Author: Dan Veitkus

Publisher:

Published: 2014-04-01

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 9780991413720

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"This book is as powerful as it is simple. And that'sthe point. The world truly needs more reminders of this kind of wisdom." Patrick Lencioni; president, The Table Group; bestselling author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage "In this crisp and timely book, Dan Veitkus exposes the communication traps that stand in the way of even the smartest people. Figure out how to deliver Straight Talk, and watch your leadership, consulting or sales career take off. Because at the end of the day, making real connections is the secret to success." Tim Sanders, author of Love is the Killer App: How To Win Business & Influence Friends and former CSO at Yahoo! "This book is a page turner - a beautiful blend of home spun wisdom, the most up to date research and compelling storytelling. I believe that leaders who embrace the principles in this book will indeed fast track their way to success and simultaneously create an empowering vibrant culture within their organization." Kevin Kelly, Internationally acclaimed leadership speaker and Best Selling Author Too much of what is thrust upon us today as "communication" is simply inefficient and ineffective and in many cases, incoherent and just plain noise. The truth is, we are living in the midst of a "Smart Talk" epidemic. This is a book about a critical set of distinctions. It will expose the difference between spending time, energy and intellectual firepower trying to sound smart and savvy - what the author condemns as "Smart Talk" - and the more effective choice to speak and operate deliberately in order to avoid confusion, frustration, and wasted time and therefore dramatically improve our productivity. Smart Talking is the enemy of Smart Execution. This book exposes common Smart Talk Traps and offers seven Straight Talk Principles that will: - Quickly help you become more productive, communicate more clearly and expertly detect Smart Talk trash. - Allow you to learn (or re-learn) the secrets to more productive conversations, communication and relationships. - Identify the distinction between Straight Talk that produces results and harmony and Smart Talk that brings only disappointment and ultimately, a crash-and-burn finale. The Straight Talk Principles are inspired by the greatest wisdom of the past, colored with personal experience from the present and organized for the benefit of our future. If you make them part of your "operating style," you'll achieve more positive outcomes as you communicate deliberately, honestly, and sincerely -the Straight Talk way.

Straight Talk, Leadership in State and Community Education Reforms
Straight Talk, Leadership in State and Community Education Reforms

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Education and the Workforce

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13:

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The Hearing before the Committee on Education and the Workforce was held January 27, 1999. It contains opening statements by the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Ohio Senator Voinovich, Governor Ridge of the State of Pennsylvania, and the Committees' reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Appendices list opening statements of the chairman, Congressmen, Governor, and Senator. The hearing focuses on elementary and secondary education reform efforts that have been undertaken by certain states and communities. (DFR)