Lasting Impact of Positive Leadership
By Stan Toler 4 stars The book outlines modern or current ideals about leadership strategy and the impact upon people. It works from a positive mind thinking strategy that will lead to habit building. Once the mindset is established points to coaching as best practice for leadership development and performance improvement. Using sporting analogies, it points to leaders leading by principle, through training others perform. There are some ‘winning’ strategies the book refers to: Train other; Build winning relationships; monitoring performance; and the giving and receiving feedback. There are numerous practical strategies for the development of leaders. Those training leaders, coaching others, and those stepping into leadership roles will benefit from this title. This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. # TheLastingImpactOfPositiveLeadership #NetGalley
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By John P. Keyser 5 stars Discussion of the principles of highly effective leadership This book contains many gems for leaders to self-improve and improve the teams around them. Divided into four section: The Qualities of a leader; Gift of leadership; Leadership skills; and Corporate culture / teamwork. Written from experience as a business consultant and business leaders experience. A few of the gems I picked up included:
This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review. # WhenLeadershipImproves,everyoneWins #NetGalley The Agile Leader
By Simon Hayward Broken into three parts. Firstly, defines an Agile leader - one who is connected and responds to opportunities in a digital age. Secondly how this looks in business. Lastly developing an agile organisation Examples are provided including the change in transportation resulting from Uber, Airbnb, Five characteristics of the Agile - Balance, Strength, Speed, Coordination, and Endurance. Opinion - While the book has a researched basis, the key messages could be written simpler and on facts sheets, rather than a full book. While the concepts are worth considering, the change required for someone to become an agile leader will not occur from reading this book. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. #TheAgileLeader #NetGalley Reviewed by Heath Henwood www.books-reviewed.weebly.com Leadership Lab
By Chris Lewis and Pippa Malmgren 3 stars The book provides and attempts to answer a range of issues that leaders face or must consider. While I found that it does promote thoughts and discussion, it does not answer a lot of questions. The thoughts it does provoke, some of which are quite deep, are worth considering. My first question though is who is the intended audience? Is it corporate leaders, policy makers, or someone else? The book outlines comprehensively the influences on leaders, organisations and individuals/ staff of government policies including economic. It highlights the information overload due to technologies that leaders face, along with lessons that leaders to work through as they develop patience in followers. Other issues that are addressed include the importance of leaders engaging in intelligence; accessing people more intelligent than themselves; Being aware of different forms of intelligence; Leaders need to be aware of and active in politics, locally, nationally and internationally.; and the role that leaders play in the political arena. Lessons include how Information and data is used and analysed as tools for leaders; How leaders consider how technology is affecting people socially, and time wise; and the effect of technology on relationships. The authors promote the use of tech currencies such as bitcoin. Arguing that they counter inflation and are more reliable. Overall an accepted book on considerations that leaders must face. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. #TheLeadershipLab #NetGalley Reviewed by Heath Henwood www.books-reviewed.weebly.com The Emotionally Healthy Leader By Peter Scazzero Reviewed by Heath Henwood www.books-reviewed.weebly.com “How transforming your inner life will deeply transform our church, team and the world”. This book addresses, with examples, what it means to be a unhealthy leader, and what it means to be a healthy leader. It really is a guidebook on learning to be an emotionally healthy leader. “I am a human BEING, not a human DOING”. It deals with being a emotionally intelligent person, as much as a leader. It is broken into parts dealing with your inner life, and outer life; planning, decision making, team building, and includes staregies to be included in the church or organisation. “Slowing down to be with Jesus”. While this is, a book targeting the church, the principles can be applied to leading any organisation. A must read for pastors, church leaders, and developing leaders. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. The Power of Visual Storytelling
How to Use Visuals, Videos, and Social Media to Market Your Brand By Ekaterina Walter, Jessica Gioglio With the rise of social media, particularly digital media, there is an ever increasing number of books for business on visual marketing. Walter’s has brought her expertise provide advice on how to effectively use social media, whether it is Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or any of the hundreds of other tools. The Power of Visual Storytelling is a brilliantly useful resource show how to tactically use images. The book includes case studies and statics to highlight points. The colourful pictures and screenshots are perhaps the most useful aspect to the book. All businesses and organisations that are actively or considering utilising social media should read this book. Reviewed by Heath Henwood. Copy received via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. Books reviewed by Heath can be found at http://books-reviewed.weebly.com/ Everything you want to know about achieving sustainable success
By Gordon Tredgold Publisher: Panoma Press This is a very different leadership book, written in an easy to follow style. However it is not simple in its content, rather it contains an encouraging message on leading for the long haul. Tredgold shares the journey of leadership, from setting vision and developing a team. The value is in the story rather than a set of steps to follow like a recipe, as some leadership texts do. It does not teach that just thinking about something will make it happen. It teaches that you have to DO something to make it happen. The book will leave you motivated and inspired to do something. The Complete Marketer
BY Malcom McDonalds and Mike Meldrum Publisher: KoganPage Subtitled 60 essential concepts for marketing excellence this book provides a broad sweep of marketing concepts and information. Written as a text book it provides information on the concept of marketing; types of marketing; understanding the market and customers; use of social media and digital technologies; and the planning and developing strategy for a marketing program. The information is comprehensive, while still being a readable format for the average small business person. A useful resource on marketing and getting a business strategy right. Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret: The Power of a Lot of Little Things Done Well Written from the depth of experience of Coach Wooden, this teaching in this book is applicable to everyday life. By paying attention to the detail, working on the little things, success can follow. While this is not the only book on how to be successful, it is written from the wisdom of a professional sports coach, and shares the secrets of his, and his teams success. The book includes the success stories and secrets from others who have achieved greatness in their respective fields, including Lou Holtz, Walt Disney and Steve Jobs. A book for the leaders, sports fans, and those looking for the edge to success. Doer’s Dilemma Why Achievers Suffer and What to do about it By Tom E Jones Publisher: Worx Publishing Doer’s Dilemma is a surprisingly useful book for looking at people, particularly those in the workplace and reviews of different people and how to deal with their particular idiocies. It focuses on relationships, and they interactions with people affect your work and career. This book will explain why things occur and how to deal with them, such as people that are incompetent, and how to work with them to achieve goals. Jones does not wander with personal success stories, and is not big noting himself, rather providing a practical guide to organisational relationship success. Other topics include communication issues , dealing with negative information, lack of direction from managers, collaboration and team work, taking responsibility and having accountability, dealing with motivation in the workplace, taking initiative, performance coaching, workplace dysfunction, and the change process. There is a toolbox at the end, that relate to each chapter, with checklists of strategies. This book is one that I plan to keep with me as I work with the issues that occur in different organisations I work with. By Fred Dawkins Publisher: Dundurn Dawkins uses the art of storytelling to explain how to become an entrepreneur. Writing from his own experiences he shares the positives to create your own job in the 21st century. He discusses cash flows and money, both as a reward for hard work, and as a fear to conquer to enable success. The book also highlights some of the dangers of being an Entrepreneur, including the demands of time upon a family. This book is ideal for anyone considering taking the step into becoming self-employed, starting or taking over a business. While there are lots of books and advice on becoming an Entrepreneur, this one is adds to the collective knowledge and is written in a way that is easy to read. Greer & Horst identify the great challenge of any leader - ensuring the organisation stays true to its mission, particularly applied to the setting of churches in the modern society. Writing from their own experiences and challenges in running a mission organisation, and the temptations to modify their mission for significant financial support. They supplement with stories from organisations that have changed their purpose and mission over time. They provide strategies to avoid mission drift, and to keep the organisation focussed on its true mission. Substantial time is spent on leadership and governance of organisations, particularly on the integrity of the individuals and groups involved in setting and running the strategic direction of the organisation. A particularly good book for senior leaders and those in governance to ensure that they recognise the signs leading to drifting from purpose and how to rectify issues. The Secret Science of Brilliant Leadership By Alan Watkins Publisher: Kogan Page Why do people underperform? Whether on the sporting field or in business, people fail to reach their potential. Watkins unlocks the key to why this occurs. He discusses enlightened leadership, allows a leader to tap into his potential through the aligning of their physiology, emotions, feelings, thoughts, behaviours and relationships. The book looks at finding the balance with time management and energy management. He encourages not more time spent on activities, but the investing of my energy into our teams and organisations. Coherence outlines how to be healthier, happier, and smarter, through finding balance. This in turns leads to being successful and influential in life and business. The book is very detailed and has research to support his arguments. This means that it is not an easy read, and will take some effort to implement Watkins ideas. How to Transform and Lead in the Age of Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability By Faisal Hoque, Drake Baer Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Everything Connects examines changing the behaviour of leaders, through finding holistic solutions to problems in leader’s lives and in the organisations they work in. It does use one particular strategy, rather draws on different disciplines of organisational theory, management theory, neuroscience, psychology, spirituality and self-improvement, believing that everything it connected, thus a multi discipline approach is required. It is written in three parts. Firstly discovering when, who, and how you are, thus allowing us to gain a better understanding of ourselves. Second part examines the personal experiences, cultures while applying it to innovations and leading. The final part looks at values, decisions and finding ideas. Drake and Faisal have combined their understanding of business and psychology for this book. Everything Connects contains research to support their various ideas and theories, and allow the modern businessperson to find balance amongst ideas on innovation and sustainability, leadership and motivation. While it is an interesting read, I felt they have not considered all the elements that contribute to the modern leader, and their slant to spirituality is biases, or perhaps just disagrees with mine. Not that I am disconnecting spirituality as a contributing factor, just their particular brand. Overall, there are elements and ideas that the modern leader will take from this book, to place into action in their own lives. Big Data Lessons for Navigating the Skills Gap and Building a Competitive Workforce Matt Ferguson, Lorin Hitt, Prasanna Tambe Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional The Talent Equation examines the relationship between personnel and big data. In particular utilising data to recruit, train and retain employees. Companies using big data to analysis consumers has been occurring for years, and large companies particularly are good at collecting and analysising this data. This book looks at how to apply this same concept to human resources. The Talent Equation encourages companies to focus data analysis to enable them to find, train and retain the right people, in spite of potential skills shortages, resources limitations, and other recruitment challenges. There will be two readers of this book. Firstly the Human Resources Managers of companies, wanting to improve their recruitment and personnel departments, as well as reducing costs from frequent hiring processes. They will learn how to analysis the data provided from job seekers, and the available data in the marketplace, as well as develop big data records with analysis for existing employees. The second to benefit of this book will be job seekers, who will gain insight in how organisations are recruiting and using data. The book is full of data, reports and examples, and will take a HR department a while to break down into manageable action plans. Once done though it will place them ahead of their competitors. The Secret to Hot Startups, Smart Investing, Savvy Marketing, and Fast Innovation By Joel Gurin Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Having read several books (none any good) on big data, I was hesitant when this one arrived. I must admit I was surprised, and I actually learnt something reading the book – always a good thing! There is a surplus of data available to business from their own collection methods. Open data is the governmental data that is available to all, generally free of charge. Most governments have established web pages to access this data source to improve their business prospects. While this is an American book, I was surprised that the Australian government had a similar database available. (www.data.gov.au). As more data becomes available each day, this book becomes an important tool for business to access data to improve their business plans, target marketing strategies, and having access to the latest trends as they emerge. Open data is public, transparent and serves a purpose that anyone can access. Talk is (Not!) Cheap: The Art of Conversation Leadership By Jim McCann I must admit the title caught my eye, and I wanted to read it to improve my own conversation leadership style. There is some good, and some not so good in the book. Firstly the good. It is a quick and easy read, with a few gems to find that will improve your conversation skills. It would be ideal for a sales manager to pass onto his sales team to read, as they would find some gems in relating to customers. It does provide a common sense guide of home truths to apply to any conversation. It has ten principles or tips, with the best being common sense "stop talking and start conversing. Start listening to each other. Start asking questions to get more information." The not so good, is that it not a leadership guide or manual to improve leadership conversation. It is more a testimony of Jim McCann’s business success. It is a blatant promotion of his company. The book was disappointing in that it didn’t deliver what the cover promised. As for the ten principles, noting you couldn’t get from google, or talking with your grandfather. By Jeremey Donovan Published by McGraw-Hill Professional Not all of us will have the opportunity to make a TED Talk, but most of us will need to speak publicly at some point in our lives. This book builds a platform for everyone to develop and present a speech. The book includes more than 100 tips, which are explained with examples. The book is divided into four parts: Content, Delivery, Design and Journey as a Public Speaker. Within each of these parts are chapters covering a multitude of topics. The first part is establishing your Content, with topics including: selecting, organising, crafting and concluding your talk. There are helpful hints along the way. I found the part of transitioning between parts of a talk particularly helpful. The second part contains vital information around the Delivery. Projecting emotions, adding humour, and movement including moving around the stage and non-verbals. The third part is around the extras that make a difference. Using slides and video to inspire, Using props and a lectern, and dressing for success. The final part is around the journey of a public speaker. This contains information to inspire you to be selected to give a TED Talk, as well as promoting your TED video. Jeremey Donovan is the founder and lead organizer of TEDxMillRiver that focused on revolutionary innovation. Jeremey is Group Vice President of Marketing at Gartner Inc., the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company with $1.6 billion in annual revenue. I highly recommend this book for anyone who does any form of public speaking. Thanks to Netgalley & McGraw-Hill Professional for my copy. This review can also be found on my blog, Managing Projects (20-Minute Manager Series) Published by Harvard Business Review Press
This concise book cover the basics of managing a project for those on the run.
It is a very practical book covering Drawing up a realistic schedule and project plan; Monitoring key tasks and benchmarks; Communicating with stakeholders; and Bringing the project to a close.
This book is part of the popular Harvard Business Review’s 20 minute manager series. These books contain quick and helpful advice on management topics.
Recommended for managers that need quick tips as they are handed their next project. Thomas H. Davenport Published by Harvard Business Review Press What is Big Data? This book explains what Big data is and how it is different from conventional data, and why it is important for business. In understandable terms, Davenport describes Big Data as unstructured data that flows continuously. Technology and the internet provide this type of data, for businesses to process and analyse, often on the run. The book goes on to explain how to start and develop a strategy to get on board, and integrate it into the business. This needs to be more practical than it is. A worthwhile read and one for those who want to understand more about big data, but not for those wanting a book that will allow them to develop an action plan. Thanks to Netgalley & Harvard Business Review Press for my copy. This review can also be found on my blog, Books-Reviewed. by Stuart Crainer, Des Dearlove Thinkers 50 titles have been design to review and provide the latest thinking on topics including leadership, management and strategy planning. This title on leadership does just that, reviews the current thinking and best practices, summarizing it with examples, in an easy to read format. While it is not the ”treasure trove of leadership wisdom” from the top minds in business that they claim, it is a good summary of the latest concepts and theories. The book addresses common themes around leaders, including their characteristic, born or nurtured, and levels of leadership. It draws the conclusion that no-one. model fits all, and that context plays a vital role in the success or failure of an organization key leader. Thee authors also address the differences in generational issues and styles. With a reminder of the importance of leaders being authentic in their roles and lives. Organizational success through leadership reflects heavily on historical leaders while trying to shape future leaders and leadership trends. This is not achieved as well as the authors probably hoped. Having said that, there are some lessons to be learnt between the covers. By John Walsh The book promises to give you easy steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story, thus learning the Art of Storytelling. Many of us would love to hold the attention of a crowd by telling stories, yet feel under equipped to do so. John Walsh’s book reveals some of the secrets in being a great storyteller. It is an easy to read story, rather than a text book or manual. There are three parts to this book. The first section, the longest, presents the steps necessary to craft a captivating story. He breaks the art of crafting a story into fourteen steps. From story selection, to finding a memory hook, to planning the end of the story, the author shares ways to plan out a story. The second section outlines seven tools that are needed to present a captivating story. Walsh writes from his own experiences and mistakes. He covers practical things like gestures, voice, facial expressions, and nervousness. The final section of the book offers some practical examples and applications on retelling Bible stories. The author argues that churches ought to be telling more stories instead of preaching more sermons. While the book is written for a Christian audience, it holds keys that any public speaker, or anyone telling stories in public can find useful. It enables the speaker to make a story engaging, with strategies on using gestures and modifying the story to take in factors about the audience. For example men think in pictures and women in words. I recommend this book for anyone in public speaking or trying to get into public speaking. Everyone a Leader David Colcleugh The concepts behind the book, of taking responsibility, of value adding to the worth of projects, is similar across disciplines. Colceugh uses his experience and knowledge to establish a framework for those young in the industry to apply to their framework. It suggests that leadership is a trait that each individual can apply to their situation. That this leadership element can be fostered and developed as individuals develop from engineers to leader-engineers. Colceugh utilises his experiences, particularly at DuPont, to give practical applications to the theories and models he puts forward. David Colcleugh retired as Chairman, President, and CEO of DuPont Canada in 2003 after a 39-year career with the company. He currently teaches Leadership Development in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering at the University of Toronto. I would suggest this book for student engineers, those young in their careers, and those that are having difficulty coping with the changing world, particularly as business and technology continue to invade the world of engineering. By Brandon Cox While there are a lot of books available about ministry and a lot about technology, Brandon Cox’s book has a twist, combining the two, in a well written book. Brandon writes from experience having adopted modern technology to connect with the world and build relationships. He neglects none of the gospel message, but presents utilising the technology people use everyday. It is written easy enough that you can read it in a single setting, but a second read, in depth reveals just what many churches and leaders are missing out on. This is a very practical book, contains short chapters examining different aspects of social media, as well as the how to of social media. It allows the church pastor to reconnect with their own flock easier, and to reach further into the community. I like the depth of thought, insight and theology of mission and leadership, he contains in the book. Particularly I admire the constant call back to relationships, and the call to examine motives behind using social media. Church leaders will easily be able to bravely step into social media, regardless of where they are at. There is something for all in ministry, in how they approach social media and connect to people in the world. Rick Warren, well known pastor of Saddleback Church has written the foreword for the book. He encourages leaders to ride the social media wave to spread the Gospel farther and faster than ever before. Brandon Cox in his book encourages church leaders to utilise the digital world in spreading the endless message of the Gospel. It is easy to read, and will enable even the most reluctant minister to step forward into a brave new world, carrying the message they treasure, to a new generation. A must read for all pastors and church leaders. by Joanna Barsh, Johanne Lavoie Leadership guidebook or guide to transform your life. I was undecided early on, and honestly I am still not sure. The authors presents her approach to self-improvement, based on a foundation of discovering meaning; examining how they Frame the world; being Connected to get there; how to Engage on their goals; and how to stay Energized. The book suggest using it as a workbook with a group, and certainly for change to occur it will be easier to be motivated working within a group. It will take a very self-motivated individual to follow her directions to accomplish all that the book has. The authors illustrate their principles with personal and inspirational stories, from a variety of leaders, as well as providing practical tips that allow the reader to put learning into action. It contains questions to assist your learning. The content is based on quantitative research, which I have not validated. The stated aim is for any leader, from novice to corporate CEO to acquiring the same skills as today's most esteemed leaders, and therefore reaching their highest potential. There are some ideas in the model for people on the journey of self-discovery, as well as developing leaders. It is not a quick fix, but rather the beginning of a journey into leadership. |
AuthorHeath Henwood consults and speaks on Leadership, Strategic Planning and Management techniques. He has a Masters in Leadership, and is a Doctorial Candidate focusing on Leadership Development Strategies. He has extensive experience in private business and serves on several boards. Archives
January 2020
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