The Myth: The Heroic Strategist. Our current image of a masculine, take-charge heroic leader with a visionary strategic plan who goes unerringly for the goal.
The Reality: Chaotic change and influence without authority. We have multicultural women and men often leading in chaos, in situations with limited authority, or by influencing others from behind the scenes.
The Solution: Inclusive leadership. A broader definition of leadership that looks at a wider range of traits, skills, and situations to inspire actual and potential leaders to be more effective in today's world.
Dr. Robin offers practical ways to discover, develop and use your unique leadership style. This book shares five styles of leadership - Flowing (planned, one-step at a time), Staccato (command-control-direct-protect), Chaos (emergent order without predictability), Lyrical (relational and emotionally intelligent), and Stillness (being the change you wish to see). She links these five styles to personality information, leadership research, and provides multicultural male and female examples to show you how you can lead in your unique way. The book provides a questionnaire to help you assess your leadership style.
Dr. Robin Johnson brings truly extraordinary creativity, brilliance and caring to her leadership development programs - and those qualities infuse this gem of a book. She offers fresh insight and support to anyone - from the seasoned veteran to the novice - who wants to be a more effective leader in our multicultural world. --- Connie Gersick, Lansberg, Gersick and Associates Consulting
For decades I've held the assumption "I'm not a leader...I don't want to lead people" because I was so bombarded by the Staccato command-control image of leadership that would never be my leadership style. You've helped me shed that limiting assumption. I found my style. And I also feel your respect for all styles and all different kinds of people throughout this book. For the first time in my life I'm willing to say, and believe, "I do want to lead...and I can!" --- Leslie Aguilar, OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts.
This creative approach to leadership adds Dr. Johnson's practical insight to her deep understanding of the research to provide valuable guidance to actual and aspiring leaders of all kinds. It is truly a way to learn and lead from diversity. --- David M. Porter, Jr., Executive Director Kaitz Foundation
