Leading So People Will Follow

by Erika Andersen

Overview

A unique take on leadership from a popular Forbes blogger and nationally-known leadership coach

Leading So People Will Follow explores the six leadership characteristics that inspire followers to fully support their leaders. Using Erika Andersen’s proven framework, new leaders and veterans alike have increased their capacity for leading in a way that creates loyalty, commitment and results. Step by step, Andersen lays out six key attributes (far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness) and gives leaders the tools for developing them. This innovative book offers a practical guide for building the skills to become a truly 'followable' leader.

• Filled with examples from forward-thinking organizations such as Apple, NBC Universal, Union Square Hospitality Group, and MTV Networks
• Maps out the six attributes of leadership
• Includes a free online Followable Leader assessment
• Author Erika Andersen is one of Forbes' most popular bloggers and coaches some of the most successful leaders in America

Using self-assessments, real-world examples, and concrete tools, Leading So People Will Follow helps build timeless core skills that work for leaders in any field.

 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118379875
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/16/2012
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,049,031
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 2.80(d)

About the Author

ERIKA ANDERSEN is founding partner of the consulting firm Proteus International and the author of Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers and Being Strategic: Plan for Success, Out-Think Your Competitors, Stay Ahead of Change, which she adapted into a public television show, Being Strategic with Erika Andersen. She also blogs at blogs.forbes.com/erikaandersen and at erikaandersen.com.

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Table of Contents

1 The Longing for Good Leaders 1

Our Leader Longing Is Wired In

Cracking the Code

2 Firesides and Folktales 7

Stories Hold the Map

The Six Attributes

Reflecting on Your Leadership

Hearing the Story

3 Farsighted 21

See Possible Futures

Articulate the Vision

Model the Vision

See Past Obstacles

Invite Participation

4 Passionate 49

Commit Honestly

Make a Clear Case Without Dogma

Invite Real Dialogue

Support Your Passion

Remain Committed

5 Courageous 63

Make Tough Choices

Risk Yourself for the Enterprise

Do Personally Difficult Things

Take Responsibility

Admit Mistakes

6 Wise 83

Be Curious—Listen!

Assess Objectively

Learn from Your Experience

See and Share Patterns

Act Based on Your Sense of Right

7 Generous 105

Assume Positive Intent

Share Power

Share What You Know

Freely Give Credit, Praise, and Reward

Provide Necessary Resources for Success

8 Trustworthy 137

Tell the Truth

Do What You Say You Will

Keep Confidences

Speak and Act for the Greater Good

Get Results

9 Friends for the Journey 157

Leading as a Group Endeavor

Wizards, Well-Wishers, and Wild Cards

Finding Your Supporters

10 Your Own Tale 167

Reassess Yourself

Make a Plan

Rely on Your Wizards, Well-Wishers, and Wild Cards

Epilogue 173

Listening and Self-Talk for Leaders: Bonus Section 175

Acknowledgments 187

The Author 189

Index 191

Editorial Reviews

Andersen attempts an uneasy marriage of lore, fairy tales, and contemporary business practices in this overly reductive approach to defining the attributes of a good leader. Her initial premise is that "core timeless attributes" of leadership are "remarkably consistent across time and culture," and can be learned. She derives from "the folktales and fairy tales of many cultures" a prescription for the essential leadership traits: far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness. Self-assessment exercises are provided for readers. Andersen's experience at consulting and coaching firm Proteus International, liberally referred to throughout, indicates hands-on experience in the practical aspects of promoting leadership behavior. Several assumption merit more consideration than the glib generalities sprinkled throughout. Overall, how are people to distinguish between the patina of leadership, made shiny by public relations and press releases, and the genuine article? Andersen offers a useful tool for the "How-to" school, but offers little insight into basic questions. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

You recognize leadership when you see it, but many people tend to stumble when asked to come up with a definition. Not so for Andersen, who is a leadership coach and Forbes blogger. She couldn’t be more direct and succinct as she breaks down the definition of leadership into six components or, more apropos to her discussions, the six attributes of a good leader—far-sightedness, passion, courage, wisdom, generosity, and trustworthiness. Her point and approach are to teach how to be an effective leader, supported by her fundamental philosophy that “when someone who is put in the ‘leader’ seat doesn’t demonstrate the leadership qualities for which human beings have a kind of built-in radar, that person is unlikely to be effective as a leader.” To that end, she offers five “key behaviors” for each of the six leadership components. A book to read more than once and to consult many times.— Brad Hooper, Booklist Online

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