By Al Watts
Learn how to be a "triple-E" (effective, engaging and ethical) leader and organization by mastering four integrity challenges: Identity, Authenticity, Alignment and Accountability. My new book goes beyond integrity as a desirable character trait, and positions it at the heart of sustainable cultures and business strategy.
Preview / Order
Check Featured Books on the main Books/Store page often for new titles and recommendations. Some of the following are "classics," with as much to offer as when first published. Click on any for more info and a link to Amazon.
By Richard Leider For all the years I’ve known Richard, he has consistently demonstrated the personal and professional power of a sense of purpose. This inspiring book is no exception, as he invites and challenges those in later stages of their lives and careers to serve with a renewed sense of purpose – and younger ones to prepare for that role.
By David Whyte Truly an inspirational read from an exceptional writer who easily traverses betwen the worlds of poetry and the bottom line. Written as a captivating personal narrative, this book helps us connect our inner and outer worlds and envision the possibilities that good work holds for each of our lives. “You cannot choose either the artist or pragmatist inside you. There’s a place for both.”
By Kerry Patterson et al This two-book value pack expands on the concept of dialog that I introduce in my book. Crucial Conversations provides solid, straightforward advice for how to have “crucial conversations” – where opinions vary and stakes are high. Crucial Confrontations builds on those concepts and provides resources for conversations with the added element of disappointment – as in dealing with performance issues, broken promises or violated trust This combo will help you prepare for hard conversations and conduct them in ways that yield positive outcomes while preserving or improving relationships.
by Kevin Wilde A very practical guide for managing talent by a talent management star. Kevin packed this gem with useful strategic and tactical talent management advice gleaned from years at General Electric and General Mills. Highly recommended for any with executive and talent management responsibilities.
By Margot Fraser, Lisa Lorimer This is an excellent practical book for anyone in business seeking to align values with operations of a new or small and rapidly-growing comapny. There is lots of direct, practical advice here, and very honest sharing of mistakes about “tough stuff” for entrepreneurs and values-based businesses – icluding managing cash flow, not giving your values away, dealing with crises (including crises of confidence) and more. The authors know what they’re talking about since they started and ran very sccessful and rapidly-growing values-based companies.
By Richard Tedlow This book should be on every executive’s reading list. Using numerous examples, Tedlow explains the dynamics and antidotes for of “knowing but not knowing” that led to many corporate failures, including the demise of A&P, troubles of the American auto industry, IBM’s early denial of the burdgeoning p.c. market and of course denial of plentiful signs that our economy was headed for a significant adjustment. This brings home the reality that leadership excellence requires the capability to face harsh realities.
By Daniel Goleman This groundbreaking book builds on others’ earlier research and work to make it clear that a significant differentiator – and for some work the most important one – accounting for success is emotional intelligence. Read this book to gain an understanding of five core “EQ” competencies and ways to improve them: self-awareness, managing emotions, self-motivation, empathy and social interaction. Principles are applicable to all life arenas; the chapter on “Managing With Heart” is especially relevant for EQ at work, including the costs and missed opportunities when it is deficient.
By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi This classic (by the author few can pronounce!) reminds us that it is possible to find experiences, including work, where we can experieince satisfaction, joy and a sense of effortlessness – or “flow.” He also describes how to attain a state of flow without merely leaving it to chance.
By Jim Collins As with Collins’ and Porrass’ previous book “Built To Last,” there’s a solid research base here. Collins lays out six factors acconting for why some companies are able to make the leap from merely good or even mediocre performance to great ones: “level 5 leadership” (humility), “first who then what” (“Get the right people on the bus”), “confront the brutal facts,” “the hedgehog concept” and “technology accelerators.” From good to great “is not just about building on strength and competence, but about understanding what your organization truly has the potential to be the very best at and sticking to it.”
By Howard Gardner, M. Csikszenthmihalyi and William Damon Howard Gardner is the Harvard Professor who pioneered the concept of multiple intelligences. Mihaly Csikszenthmihalyi brought us “Flow,” and William Damon of Stanford authored “The Moral Child.” Together they bring us a thoughtful work on the meaning of “good work,” work that is of high quality and also socially responsible in rapidly changing times. They explore three professions in depth: journalism, genetics and law, to explore the dilemmas of adhering to high professional standards amidst market and environmental factors that are countervailing forces.
