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How To Deliver Results And Get Rid Of The Stuff That Gets In The Way Of Real Work

  “The chaos of everyday business forces people into an exhausting, ineffective, seemingly never-ending cycle of workarounds, firefighting, and Whac-a-Mole,” share the authors of the new book, There’s Got To Be A Better Way .  And in their book, the authors, Nelson P. Repenning and Donald C. Kieffer , explain there is indeed a better way.  They share the game-changing discipline of dynamic work design that improves productivity, reduces costs, and increases efficiency, ensuring that all parts of a company can work in concert. The discipline has been used in organizations around the world to close the gap between the results promised and results delivered.   The five principles of dynamic work design are:  Solve the right problem – Structured problem-solving to break the biases that come with past success and help you find new levels of performance. Effective problem-solving is the engine of adaptation and agility. Structure for discovery – A series of simple...
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How To Create Organizations As Amazing As The People Inside Them

Five years ago, I posted about the book, Humanocracy . In it, the authors, Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini , present a fascinating look at how to breakdown the bureaucracy within an organization and unleash the power and true abilities of the human beings in that organization, making the organization more bold, entrepreneurial, and as nimble as change itself.  Humanocracy expertly lays out a detailed blueprint for creating organizations that are inspiring and ingenious, and it provides you with research-based examples, practical guidance and, most important, action steps to take immediately.  Since the book’s release, companies such as Bayer, Ferrari, Ingersoll Rand, GE Appliances, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and the US Army have embraced the book’s principles.  Today brings the extensively updated and expanded edition of Humanocracy . It features new case studies and timely insights drawn from the last five years.  “Since the first edition, the stakes have only g...

Your Ultimate Guide To Power And Influence

Through the years, I’ve featured four books by  Robert L. Dilenschneider  on my blog. His books are that good.   Today, I highlight his The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence , which is a  Wall Street Journal  Bestseller and has also been on the  USA Today  bestseller list.   In our rapidly changing world, adaptability and influence are key to success. “The book is a comprehensive guide designed to help young professionals and career changers navigate these changes,” says Dilenschneider.   The book is structured into 15 insightful chapters, each focusing on a unique aspect of power and influence. “Every chapter has something relevant for you, no matter your age or place in your career. Pick and choose what you need when you need it,” explains Dilenschneider.   You’ll learn about: understanding the power of personal connections how to pivot in your career the right way to make mistakes how to use influence for the greater good how to...

How To Make Conversations Healthy Dialogues

In his book,   Habits of a Peacemaker ,   Steven T. Collis , a leading expert on civil discourse, reveals ten practical habits that can help you navigate the potential minefields of hard topics and leave you and those you converse with feeling thoughtful and productive.  The  ten habits  are:  Intellectual Humility and Reframing Seek Real Learning Assume the Best About People Don’t Feed People’s Worst Fears Hunt for the Best Argument Against You Be Open to Change Spend Time with People A Sliver of Humor Seek Inner Peace Embrace the Discomfort of Non-Closure  “I have organized the book in a way that makes sense to me, but you should not feel the need to read it strictly from front to back,” shares Collis. “Each chapter provides useful guidance on how to achieve moments of peaceful, productive dialogue with the people in your life.”  He adds, “If how you treat others matters to you, this book offers powerful new habits that can give you the confiden...

13 Energizing Verbs To Use More Often

From the book,  Anticipate, the Art of Leading by Looking Ahead , by  Rob-Jan De Jong , here are  13 energizing verbs the author recommends we use more often : Discover   (instead of See) Explore   (instead of Discuss) Radiate   (instead of Display) Uncover   (instead of Show) Transform   (instead of Change) Engage  (instead of Involve) Mobilize   (instead of Gather) Stretch   (instead of Develop) Boost   (instead of Increase) Propel  (instead of Move) Deliver   (instead of Give) Grasp   (instead of Understand) Connect   (instead of Join) Great advice, indeed!

What Motivated People Do To Stay Motivated

To learn how to stay motivated, read  High-Profit Prospecting , by  Mark Hunter . It's a powerful read that includes counter intuitive advice and cutting-edge best practices for sales prospecting in today's business world. Today, I share one of my favorite sections of the book where Hunter describes his  seven things motivated people do to stay motivated : Motivated people  ignore voices in their lives . These might be people in the office and friends who have bad attitudes. They're out there, and if you're not careful, they'll control you, too. Motivated people  associate with highly motivated people . Just as there are negative people in the world, there are also positive people. Your job is to make sure you spend as much time with the positive people as possible.  Motivated people simply  look for the positive in things . Positive people count it an honor to live each day, learn from others, and impact positively those they meet. Positive people tak...

Lead Boldly: Seven Principles From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated more than 55 years ago, yet his words continue to inspire millions of people, young and old—from all races and backgrounds. During his remarkable life, he embodied bold and compassionate leadership.  The new book, Lead Boldly , by Robert F. Smith , Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, is a personal reflection of how Dr. King inspired Smith. He shares his insights and experiences on how King’s themes like “The Beloved Community,” “Economic Justice,” and “Two Americas” played a central role in his own leadership development and why the visionary ideas of Dr. King espoused are so important for leaders to understand and apply today.  As you read the book, you can reflect on some of Dr. King’s most impactful speeches and integrate his lessons into your leadership journey.  Smith encourages readers to consider how they can:  Contribute to fostering unity, support, and positive change. Embrace the power to cre...