Leading So People Will Follow

ERIKA ANDERSEN is founding partner of the consulting firm Proteus International and the author of Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers and Being Strategic: Plan for Success, Out-Think Your Competitors, Stay Ahead of Change, which she adapted into a public television show, Being Strategic with Erika Andersen. She also blogs at blogs.forbes.com/erikaandersen and at erikaandersen.com.

You recognize leadership when you see it, but many people tend to stumble when asked to come up with a definition. Not so for Andersen, who is a leadership coach and Forbes blogger. She couldn’t be more direct and succinct as she breaks down the definition of leadership into six components or, more apropos to her discussions, the six attributes of a good leader—far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness. Her point and approach are to teach how to be an effective leader, supported by her fundamental philosophy that “when someone who is put in the ‘leader’ seat doesn’t demonstrate the leadership qualities for which human beings have a kind of built-in radar, that person is unlikely to be effective as a leader.” To that end, she offers five “key behaviors” for each of the six leadership components. A book to read more than once and to consult many times.— Brad Hooper, Booklist Online

• 1 The Longing for Good Leaders 1Our Leader Longing Is Wired InCracking the Code2 Firesides and Folktales 7Stories Hold the MapThe Six AttributesReflecting on Your LeadershipHearing the Story3 Farsighted 21See Possible FuturesArticulate the VisionModel the VisionSee Past ObstaclesInvite Participation4 Passionate 49Commit HonestlyMake a Clear Case Without DogmaInvite Real DialogueSupport Your PassionRemain Committed5 Courageous 63Make Tough ChoicesRisk Yourself for the EnterpriseDo Personally Difficult ThingsTake ResponsibilityAdmit Mistakes6 Wise 83Be Curious—Listen!Assess ObjectivelyLearn from Your ExperienceSee and Share PatternsAct Based on Your Sense of Right7 Generous 105Assume Positive IntentShare PowerShare What You KnowFreely Give Credit, Praise, and RewardProvide Necessary Resources for Success8 Trustworthy 137Tell the TruthDo What You Say You WillKeep ConfidencesSpeak and Act for the Greater GoodGet Results9 Friends for the Journey 157Leading as a Group EndeavorWizards, Well-Wishers, and Wild CardsFinding Your Supporters10 Your Own Tale 167Reassess YourselfMake a PlanRely on Your Wizards, Well-Wishers, and Wild CardsEpilogue 173Listening and Self-Talk for Leaders: Bonus Section 175Acknowledgments 187The Author 189Index 191