The Versatile Leader: Make the Most of Your Strengths Without Overdoing It (J–B US non–Franchise Leadership) - Hardcover

Kaplan, Bob; Kaiser, Rob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787979449 ISBN 13: 9780787979447

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2006

Synopsis

In this groundbreaking new book, Bob Kaplan and Rob Kaiser introduce an innovative approach to identifying and correcting lopsidedness in leaders. You will discover how to make optimal use of your strengths and avoid getting trapped in a one–dimensional mindset that results in ?too much of a good thing.? Based on twenty years of research and extensive work with senior leaders, The Versatile Leader is packed with illustrative cases and practical applications. The book is equally useful for self–improvement and for coaching other managers.

About this title

About the Author

Bob Kaplan is a partner with Kaplan DeVries Inc., which provides leadership consulting to individual executives and management teams. Previously, Kaplan played a senior role at the Center for Creative Leadership. He has consulted to many top executives over the years, and is the author of numerous articles as well as the book, Beyond Ambition: How Driven Managers Can Lead Better and Live Better.

Rob Kaiser, also a partner with Kaplan DeVries Inc., is director of¿research and development. Kaiser also coaches individual leaders, specializing in helping high potentials prepare for senior leadership roles. Previously, he served on the Center for Creative Leadership′s research staff.

From the Back Cover

Praise for The Versatile Leader

"Bob Kaplan transforms ancient wisdom of ′know thyself′ and ′nothing in excess′ into practical tools to help modern leaders increase their versatility and effectiveness."
Wendell Weeks, CEO, Corning, Inc.

"Bob Kaplan is one of the true professionals in this field. When I work with him on this subject matter I have a sense of calm because he delivers practical solutions to thorny problems. This books affirms his deep expertise. A must read for executives and HR professionals."
Sandy Ogg, chief human resources officer, Unilever

"Bob Kaplan′s book, The Versatile Leader, offers a valuable mapping of the terrain of outstanding leadership, and useful roadmap for how to get there."
Daniel Goleman, author, Emotional Intelligence

"Bob Kaplan′s notion of lopsidedness: just the word is so clear. Managers will quickly understand how to apply it to themselves. It′s about balancing strengths when to turn the dial up on something you′re good at and when to dial it down when it′s not needed. This concept, with the versatility index, is the next chapter in understanding your impact on others."
Maureen Nash, director of learning & organizational development, TYCO Engineered Products & Service

"First, read this book a compelling, how–to guide that can help every leader, no matter how seasoned, improve his or her game. Blending solid research, vivid case studies, and deep executive coaching experience, Kaplan and Kaiser have surfaced fresh insights into becoming a more versatile leader through calibrating strengths and minding gaps."
John Alexander, president, Center for Creative Leadership

From the Inside Flap

While self–help gurus urge leaders to "focus on strengths," a hidden danger lies behind this seductive advice. Ironically, a leader′s strengths often prove to be his or her undoing.

We all know the phrase, "strengths become weaknesses." But many leaders don′t readily grasp how placing great faith in what they are good at can cause them to go overboard and get out of balance. Yet all around us we find lopsided leaders "strong leaders" who fail to empower their staff, results–oriented leaders who lose sight of the bigger picture. The list goes on, illustrating how a strength taken too far crowds out the complementary skill.

In this groundbreaking new book, Bob Kaplan and Rob Kaiser introduce an innovative approach to identifying and correcting lopsidedness in leaders. Readers will discover how to make optimal use of their strengths and avoid getting trapped in a one–dimensional mindset that results in "too much of a good thing."

Based on twenty years of research and extensive work with senior leaders, The Versatile Leader is packed with illustrative cases and practical applications. It is equally useful for self–improvement and for coaching other managers.

Managers who become versatile will be able to continually adjust their behavior and deftly apply the right approach, to the right degree for the situation.¿They will boost their personal effectiveness and enhance the organization′s vitality and productivity.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787979449
• ISBN 13: 9780787979447
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304