Steel your team against the unexpected by planning for uncertainty Extraordinary Outcomes presents an innovative approach to thinking and planning, giving leaders a playbook for dealing with uncertainty. Written by internationally recognized authorities on problem solving and creativity in organizations, this book provides an alternative outlook on business strategy and people management for leaders navigating uncertain waters, where the future is anything but guaranteed. The framework is the result of research in multiple fields and the authors' experiences with individuals, teams, and organizations, with examples from real-world situations that illustrate the concepts and dynamics at work to give readers deeper insight. The focus is on conquering uncertainty eliminating it where possible, reducing it where it can be reduced, and embracing it when it's inevitable. Traditional ways of thinking and planning do not work in the face of an uncertain future. Frequently there are just no guarantees, nothing written in stone, and even a fortune-teller couldn't accurately predict the outcome. Extraordinary Outcomes helps leaders prepare for that, with strategies geared toward preparedness and embracing uncertainty. * Learn why skills and talent are only two pieces of a bigger puzzle * Discover how to better galvanize the team, and keep them motivated long-term * Connect to a purpose that inspires enthusiastic engagement * Conquer uncertainty, and develop a strategy for dealing with mistakes No one likes to be caught off guard, and the consequences can be severe at the organizational level. Leaders can't be psychic, but they can plan for possible outcomes and always have a solution at the ready. For those who like to have an answer for everything, Extraordinary Outcomes provides a roadmap toward an uncertainty-proof strategy for doing business.
Praise for Extraordinary Outcomes
"Extraordinary Outcomes provides the rare and rich delight of reading in nearly every paragraph an aphorism or witticism that ranks with the kind of sage advice generally rationed as chapter-starting epigrams, and then in only a few of the chapters of the best management books. Better still, these linguistic gems are woven into trenchant real-life examples of people and organizations who have transcended commonly accepted limitations to make the world a significantly better place. This book will at once make you happier, smarter, and more useful to your teammates."
--Martine Rothblatt, founder and former CEO, SiriusXM Radio and founder and CEO, United Therapeutics Corp.
"The work of Firstenberg and Rubinstein is a must read for those enlightened organizational leaders whose objective is to succeed in uncertain times. Mammals learn and adapt to changing environments and don't operate to a fixed master plan or strategy, neither should leaders responsible for the continued success of their organizations as the environment around them changes."
--The Honorable Daniel S. Goldin, 9th NASA Administrator, retired Chairman and CEO, The Intellisis Corporation
"Take care when reading this book. It has so much delicious food for thought you may gain weight just by reading it."
--Gordon Peters, Founder and CEO, Institute for Management Studies
"Not just a business book on leadership but also a thoughtful and compelling read on how to live a better life. Through the use of fascinating stories and extensive research, the themes are easy to grasp and execute. There are so many great stories, I'm afraid I will dominate the cocktail party conversation for months."
--George Borst, former President and CEO, Toyota Financial Services
"The authors have created an extraordinarily thoughtful guide for the leader who aspires to define the future. This delightful work is laced with vivid and memorable examples, making it almost effortless to internalize the wealth of practical tools and concepts as you read the book."
--Ron Sugar, former CEO, Northrop Grumman
