Table of Contents
Preface: Are You Having Leadership Conversations? xiii
Part 1 The High-Potential Challenges 1
1 Do You Really Want to Be a Leader? 3
2 What Blend of Management and Leadership Mindsets Is Best? 11
3 Have You Had Leadership Conversations Today? 19
4 Where Do You Stand on the Leadership Ladder? 29
Part 2 Conversations to Build Relationships 35
5 Learn the New Rules 37
6 Your Relationships Define You 47
7 Know Your Strengths and Their Shadows 57
8 People Aren’t Machines 65
9 Don’t Let Them Assume They Know What You’re Thinking 75
10 Embrace Differences 83
Part 3 Conversations to Develop Others 89
11 The Battle for Talent 91
12 The Challenge of Leading Other High Potentials 103
13 Conversations You Must Have 115
14 What Gets in Your People’s Way? 127
15 Recognition—Making It All Worthwhile 139
Part 4 Conversations to Make Decisions 147
16 Develop Your Judgment Gene 149
17 What You Know Is Irrelevant 161
18 Be Curious—Ask Great Questions 173
19 If You Can’t Change, Retire 187
Part 5 Conversations to Take Action 197
20 Moving Smoothly into Action 199
21 Planning Successful Actions 207
22 When Things Change 215
23 Lessons from Success and Failure 225
24 Inspiring People in Turbulent Times 233
Part 6 Your Leadership Conversations 243
25 Conversations at the Top 245
26 Conversations for Executive Leaders 251
27 Conversations for Managers of Managers 257
28 Conversations for First-Line Managers 263
29 Your Personal Action Plan 269
Notes 275
Bibliography 277
Acknowledgments 281
About the Authors 283
Index 285