By using a research-driven model, discussing compelling cases from leading companies, and presenting seven actionable ideas to make progress, this book blends scholarly research and actionable strategies to empower readers to decide what issues to focus on and in what direction to lead.

Weaving together original research, novel strategies and tactics, and stories of successful leaders, this book provides insight into how to become a progress-making leader. Written by an academic and a business executive, the book provides actionable ideas grounded in sound research and tested in real organizations.

We live in a challenging, complex, inter-connected and unpredictable world beset by a range of seemingly insoluble problems. But, says Michael Fullan—an internationally acclaimed authority on organizational change—we have an increasing understanding of how to tackle complex change. This involves developing a new kind of leader: one who recognizes what is needed to bring about deep and lasting changes in living systems at all levels. These leaders need a deep understanding of what motivates us as human beings and how we tap into and influence other people's self-motivation. In his previous best-selling books The Six Secrets of Change, Leading in a Culture of Change, and Turnaround Leadership, Michael Fullan examined the concepts and processes of change. In Change Leader he turns his focus to the core practices of leadership that are so vital for leading in today's complex world. He reveals seven core practices for today's leaders, all of which appear to be deceptively simple but actually get to the essence of what differentiates a powerful leader from one who is merely competent: Practice Drives Theory Be Resolute Motivate the Masses Collaborate to Compete Learn Confidently Know Your Impact Sustain Simplexity Throughout the book Fullan argues that powerful leaders have built bedrocks of credibility, have learned how to identify the few things that matter most, and know how to leverage their skills in ways that benefit their entire organization. The author shows leaders how to avoid policies and strategies that focus on shallow and short-term goals and develop leadership skills for long-term success. With a wealth of illustrative examples from business, education, nonprofit, and government sectors Change Leader provides a much-needed leadership guide for today's turbulent climate.

2007 National Communication Association, Organizational Communication Division, "Best Book" Award Citing the well known adage that there are as many definitions of leadership as there are leadership scholars, Fairhurst acknowledges the contributions which psychologists have made to leadership research, before probing the inevitable limitations to their formidable body of work. Fairhurst′s work is also thought provoking on the issue of authenticity on the part of leaders." —HUMAN RELATIONS Discursive Leadership: In Conversation with Leadership Psychology presents a new, groundbreaking way for scholars and graduate students to examine and explore leadership. Differing from a psychological approach to leadership which tries to get inside the heads of leaders and employees, author Gail Fairhurst focuses on the social or communicative aspects between them. A discursive approach to leadership introduces a host of relatively new ideas and concepts and helps us understand leadership′s changing role in organizations. Key Features: Compares and contrasts discursive leadership with leadership psychology: This comparison facilitates a clearer definition of discursive leadership. Presents new ways to study leadership: By treating each discourse concept as a heuristic device and supporting each concept with examples, new ways to study leadership are introduced by focusing on key concepts from the organizational discourse literature. Addresses some key challenges within leadership psychology: Each chapter begins with an ongoing debate in leadership psychology and illustrates how a discursive approach can join that debate. Charimatic leadership, leader-member exchange, authentic leadership are just a few of the examples. Offers reactions from leadership psychologists: Leadership psychologists and other discourse scholars respond to the author′s proposed ′conversation′ between them broadening the debate and introducing new perspectives. Provides quick reviews and extended examples: The book includes critical summaries at the end of each chapter and easy-to-reference appendices. Intended Audience: This book helps scholars, researchers, and practitioners understand the complexities of leadership as it continues to evolve due to such influences as globalization, technology change, and democratization of the workplace. It is also an excellent text for graduate courses such as Leadership; Rhetoric of Leadership; Interpretive Studies of Organizational Communication; Organizational Communication; and Leadership & Communication in the departments of communication, business & management, psychology, and educational administration.

From the ill-fated dot-com bubble to unprecedented merger and acquisition activity to scandal, greed, and, ultimately, recession -- we've learned that widespread and difficult change is no longer the exception. By outlining the process organizations have used to achieve transformational goals and by identifying where and how even top performers derail during the change process, Kotter provides a practical resource for leaders and managers charged with making change initiatives work.

A new book from the authors of the highly praised Transforming Leaders into Progress Makers, Leading with Care breaks new ground in the exploration of servant leadership. Bob DeKoch and Phil Clampitt, long-time collaborators, draw on their years of innovative practice and research to describe with vivid, real-world experiences, how leading with care enriches people and transforms organizations in our challenging times. DeKoch, with over 40 years of diverse executive leadership experience, which included 20 years leading The Boldt Company, a $1 billion construction services and real estate development company, has developed novel insights into leadership thinking and practice. Clampitt, an endowed, award-winning communication and information science professor at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has over 40 years of experience in university teaching, ground-breaking research, and business consulting. His lifelong passion is to explore the dynamic relationship between leadership, communication, and big ideas. Gallup recently reported that only 15% of employees in the United States are truly engaged in their workplace. Yet nearly 70% of employees say they would work harder if they felt more appreciated. Over 90% of employees surveyed believed their leadership “lacked communication skills to lead.” The gloomy stories behind sobering statistics reveal employees’ disappointment with current leadership approaches. Leaders can do better. That’s why the authors sought to go beyond the laudable sentiments of the “servant leadership” movement by envisioning, creating, and testing a new leadership platform based on a set of guiding beliefs and actual day-to-day practices. The authors’ unique perspective transforms traditional practices, like employee coaching and collaboration, into dynamic self-actualizing workplaces. How? By sharing how caring leaders adroitly blend visible and subtle practices to realize the aspirational benefits of coaching and collaboration. The authors use a similar approach to share insights about less frequently discussed leadership issues such as how to build an empowering network of relationships and transform pushback into progress. Anyone who wishes to craft their own distinctive, compelling, and empowering leadership style that unleashes the latent energy of people and their organizations will discover a robust and enriching framework for doing so in Leading with Care in a Tough World. “This book offers a simple yet powerful promise: caring leaders can produce extraordinary outcomes. With extensive research and sparkling details, DeKoch and Clampitt reveal how leaders at all levels can enlist our basic humanity to bring out the best in their teams.” --Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, When, and Drive “Leading with Care in a Tough World is a masterful book!!! It is pragmatic, thought-provoking, and exceptionally well-written. Effective leadership today requires you to grapple with a broad range of variables. DeKoch and Clampitt provide a framework, reinforced with real-world examples and self-assessment tools, that will help you turn ideas into effective action. If you’re a leader, or aspiring to become one, I strongly recommend this book.”--Frank Sonnenberg, Award-winning author of nine books, including Managing with a Conscience and The Path to a Meaningful Life "Unlock the keys to successful leadership in Leading with Care in a Tough World. Filled with inspiring stories, practical advice and years of tried-and-true methods, DeKoch and Clampitt will teach you how to be the leader of the future. An excellent read!"--Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of Triggers, Mojo, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. "How can we lead others - and ourselves - in an uncertain and fast-changing world? This humane, thoughtful, and practical new book shows the way." --Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business “Brilliant insight into the realities of leadership. DeKoch and Clampitt expose the manipulations that pass for emotional intelligence and the toxicity of fake positivity. Grounded in the difficult truths of human relationships, this excellent book illuminates the values and beliefs that guide a leader to success.” --Robert McKee, Fulbright Scholar and Globally Renowned Screen Writing Lecturer, Coach and Best Selling Author “An island of innovative insight amid an ocean of leadership BS.” --Professor James Barker, Herbert S. Lamb Chair in Business education, Dalhousie University

This book is designed to provide insights into an understanding of the best practices and contemporary approaches to the identification, assessment, selection, and development of future leaders of an organization with a focus on executive and transition coaching as a development tool. A company's leadership pipeline is expected to deliver its next generation of leaders who are capable of leading now. It is evident that conventional leadership development practices are no longer adequate. Organizations need to incorporate the next-generation leadership competencies globally in order to address the development needs of their rising leaders. The current digital transformation that underpins the Fourth Industrial Revolution (also known as Industry 4.0) has ushered in a new business environment that is fast, open, and responsive, resulting in a number of organizational and leadership challenges. How do organizations develop the next generation of leaders to meet these challenges? This book is designed to provide insights into an understanding of the best practices and contemporary approaches to the identification, assessment, selection, and development of future leaders of an organization with a focus on executive and transition coaching as a development tool.