The Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons That Help You Inspire, Unite, and Achieve

by Marc Morial, Sheryl Sandberg (Foreword by)

Overview

Ignore radical social changes by clinging to hopes of restoring a past that can never be revisited or embrace change and find ways to use our new realities to create increased opportunities for all.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400216314
Publisher:	HarperCollins Leadership
Publication date:	09/12/2023
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.95(w) x 9.05(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Marc Morial is a former second-generation New Orleans mayor who oversaw many improvements during his terms, including crime reduction, police reform, and the passing of a significant bond issue.

In May 2003, Morial was appointed president and CEO of the National Urban League. Since that appointment, Morial’s Empowerment Agenda has worked to reenergize the League’s diverse constituencies; to build on the strength of its nearly one-hundred-year-old legacy; and to increase its profile both locally and nationally.

Table of Contents

Foreword Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

Section 1 The Kid Who Would Be Mayor 1

Chapter 1 Speed Means Nothing Without Direction: A Leader Must Get Off to a Fast Start with a Solid Plan 11

Chapter 2 A Wise Man Changes, a Fool Never: A Leader Recognizes When to Modify the Plan 29

Chapter 3 With One Canoe, We Can Avoid the Waterfall: A Leader Understands the Value of Building Consensus 47

Section 2 "Senator, I Call Them People" 61

Chapter 4 They're Not Refugees, Dammit: A Leader Shows Strength through Compassion 69

Chapter 5 Know When to Hold 'Em, Know When to Fold 'Em: A Leader Is Skilled at Decision-Making Under Pressure 87

Chapter 6 Get Ready for the Big Payback: A Leader Is Not Paralyzed by the Unexpected 101

Section 3 The Ditch 113

Chapter 7 Ants versus Crabs: A Leader Knows When to Lead and When to Follow 119

Chapter 8 Working the Room: A Leader Builds Networks with Intention 135

Section 4 A Knock on the Door 149

Chapter 9 Persistence Is Always a Winning Formula: A Leader Fights through Disappointments to Achieve Victory 157

Chapter 10 Innovation Requires Seeing New Paths: A Leader Must Seek New Ways to Solve Old Problems 169

Chapter 11 Now We Got Gumbo 179

Afterword Earvin "Magic" Johnson 187

Notes 191

Index 195

About the Author 206

About the Editor 206

Editorial Reviews

'In The Gumbo Coalition, Marc doesn't treat diversity as just a buzzword or a bothersome hurdle as many companies or leaders begrudgingly do. Marc exalts in diversity (gumbo) as a source of great strength, growth potential, and dynamic innovations—and as an imperative for leaders to embrace and actively cultivate if they want to achieve success.'

NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Magic Johnson

'When Marc talks about building coalitions to successfully meet challenges, he's not only talking theory; he's sharing with readers what he's practiced his entire life.'

MasterCard General Counsel Tim Murphy

'Marc Morial is a star of strategy and execution. The Gumbo Coalition, a deeply personal, easy read, brings alive the generational wisdom that lives in the heart and soul of one of the most admired leaders of our time. A winning recipe for achievement, it illuminates behaviors that get in our way and demonstrates that you never have to sacrifice your soul to succeed in building on any front. This is a book that will help you thrive, save you time, money and heartache. I wish I had it at the beginning my career.'

Susan L. Taylor

'The Gumbo Coalition is outstanding, and it's outstanding in ways I didn't expect. The book is a fascinating political memoir, it's also something more: a leadership manual, complete with checklists, tips, and pitfalls to avoid. Marc writes about how to increase your collective power by building consensus, how vital it is to communicate your vision to your team at every step, and how networking done right is about building purposeful and intentional relationships for the common good. To my mind, that makes The Gumbo Coalition essential reading for people across all sectors—especially business leaders.'

Facebook COO and New York Times bestselling author Sheryl Sandberg

'As witness and participant to Marc Morial's gumbo skills over many years his actions speak loudly alongside his words. The combination wins the outcomes that are Marc's leadership hallmarks. To see him in action is to see his embrace of the youngest, least certain to the oldest, most experienced; to feel his strength building momentum tempered by his compassion for all, including those with differences; to witness his respect for each person in his presence and their desire to be encouraged and emboldened by his deeds and assurances. His story and leadership benefit us all.' - John Hofmeister fmr CEO of Shell Oil

From the Publisher