Eric Jacobson On Management And Leadership

The Art of Change Leadershipdemystifies the psychology behind our reactions to change and offers a powerful collection of tools to inspire individual and collective transformation quickly and more effectively, explains author of the book, Cheryl Cran.

The book teaches you how to:
Leverage your current technical knowledge to increase the rate of innovation.Use the cycle of change to foresee and handle change-related issues affecting yourself, others, and business.Raise your emotional intelligence to match your IQ.Guide "change" initiatives with repeatable success by using the reliable three-step change model. Cran also explains the differences between a Change Manager and a Change Leader.
For example: A Change Manager creates a plan, directs projects and people to achieve a goal. In contrast, a Change Leader sets the compelling vision; tells a story that includes the hero's journey for each person involved.
In addition, a Change Leader does the following: Provides a project …

While recently reading C. Elliott Haverlack's book, Unbundle It, I found his 11 ground rules for meeting behaviors to be particularly helpful:
Arrive on time.Be respectful of other attendees.No phones or computers if at all possible.No leaving the meeting or getting up to walk around until scheduled breaks.No eating unless during working meal meetings (consuming beverages as appropriate is acceptable).No side conversations.Good posture.Listen intently (even if you don't want to).Ask questions at the appropriate time.No filibustering.Take notes.

According to Kristi Hedges, author of the book, The Power of Presence, a good story includes these seven elements:
Has a clear moral or purposeHas a personal connection to the storyteller and/or the audienceIncludes common reference points the audience can understandInvolves detailed characters and imageryReveals conflict, vulnerability, or achievement others can relate toHas pacing (a beginning, ending, and a segue back to the topic)Serves to strategically underscore your intention (it's not randomly told)

"The more specific you can be about your goal, the greater your level of success will be," explain authors Tom Pandola and James W. Bird, in their book, Light A Fire Under Your Business.

"This is because once we have visualized something that doesn't yet exist, it causes our subconscious mind to make the decisions necessary to make that visualized goal a reality."

The authors explain that all goals must have these five elements:
Goals must clarify a specific action or outcome.Goals must be measureable by being able to quantify the benefits of achieving them.Goals should be achievable with the resources available (or at least you should know that the necessary resources are in reserve and can be acquired).Goals must also be realistic for achieving based on your particular situation.Goals must also include the time period in which you want to achieve them. With a date or time period specified for completion, planning can be established in order for evaluating the…

Being a good listener is absolutely essential to being an effective leader.

When you really listen, you:
Remember names and facts correctly.Hear "between the lines."Show respect.Learn more about what's going on within your workplace.Here are 10 tips on how to be a better listener:
Look at the person who's speaking to you. Maintain eye contact.Watch for non-verbal clues, body language, gestures and facial expressions.Eliminate all distractions. Don't multi-task.Ask questions that let the other person know you have heard them, and that you want to learn more.Don't interrupt.Don't finish the other person's sentences.Avoid using words, such as "no," "but," and "however," when you respond.Don't prejudge.Display a friendly, open attitude and body language.Ask questions to clarify what you heard.

In his book, True North, Bill George shows you how to discover your true north - your internal compass that guides you successfully through life. "Only when you discover your true north can you unlock your full potential as a leader and human being," explains George.

In the book, published a couple weeks ago, George shares with you how to:
Cultivate self-awarenessDefine your valuesFind the "sweet spots": of your motivated capabilitiesBuild your support team and lead an integrated lifeMake the journey from "I' to "We" as an empowering leaderBecome a global leader

Bill George
George shares profiles and stories from more than 100 leaders who in their own words explain how they discovered their true north. 
He also explains the characteristics differences needed to be a leader in the Twenty-First Century versus the Twentieth-Century. Today's leaders, he says need to be: Purpose-drive versus charismaticGlobally focused versus U. S.-centricThinking l…