AMA Edgewise

James Kouzes on Rising to the Leadership Challenge

klee — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0000

The Leadership Challenge, one of the best-selling leadership books of all time, is considered by many as the most trusted source on becoming a better leader. With this fourth edition, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner issue a new collection of case studies relevant to today’s world to illustrate a timeless mission that all great leaders share. (more…)

Michael Gates Gill on How Starbucks Saved His Life

klee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:28 +0000

Michael Gates Gill had it all. But by the time he turned 60, he had lost everything except his Ivy League education and his sense of entitlement. First he was downsized at work; next, an affair ended his 20 year marriage. Then he was diagnosed with a slow growing brain tumor.

Gill had no money, no health insurance, and no prospects. One day as Gill sat in a Manhattan Starbucks, a 28 year old Starbucks manager named Crystal Thompson approached him, half joking, to offer him a job. With nothing to lose he took it and went from drinking coffee in a Brooks Brothers suit to serving it in a green apron. (more…)

Lindsey Pollak on Getting from College to Career

klee — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:59:34 +0000

In Getting from College to Career, Lindsey Pollak offers a definitive guide for building the experience, skills, and confidence needed for college graduates starting a major job search. Her 90 action-oriented tips include strategies ranging from the simple to the expert.
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William Rothwell on Leveraging a Seasoned Talent Pool

klee — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:00:30 +0000

While many employers have traditionally viewed their younger employees as their most precious assets, the truth is that their more seasoned workers are often their most valuable. In his new book, Working Longer (AMACOM), William J Rothwell gives recruiters, managers, and trainers the tools they need to nurture and empower these vital employees. (more…)

Richard Thaler on the “Architecture of Choice”

klee — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:18 +0000

Our errors are what make us human, but until now, they have been largely ignored by those around us, whether they make a complex public policy or sell us a plain old bottle of wine. In a new book, Nudge, Economist Richard Thaler and legal scholar Cass Sunstein, invite us into an alternative world, one that takes our humanness as a given. (more…)

C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan on the New Age of Innovation

klee — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:00:31 +0000

In their new book The New Age of Innovation: Driving Cocreated Value Through Global Networks, authors C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan argue that the key to creating value and the future growth of every business depends on accessing a global network of resources to co-create unique experiences with customers, one at a time. (more…)

Marshall Goldsmith on How to Take Success to the Next Level

klee — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:00:53 +0000

The corporate world is filled with executives, men and women who have worked hard for years to reach the upper levels of management. They’re intelligent, skilled, and even charismatic. But only a handful of them will ever reach the pinnacle — and as executive coach Marshall Goldsmith shows in his book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful, (more…)

Stephen Baum on Experiences That Shape Great Leaders

klee — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:30 +0000

Becoming a leader is not about education or pedigree or even native smarts. Most of the most successful leaders started life as a regular person just like you. Certainly these leaders are smart and talented, but there are countless people even smarter and more talented who stall on the way. Something else is going on. What is it, and what can the rest of us learn from such people to improve our own chances of accomplishment? (more…)

Joan Knutson on Linking Strategy, Execution and Project Management

klee — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:57:48 +0000

Joan Knutson is founder and manager of Project Mentors, a successful multimillion dollar project management training and consulting firm. Joan is the author of Project Management: How to Plan and Manage Successful Project (AMACOM), Succeeding in Project-Driven Organizations: People, Processes, and Politics (John Wiley and Sons) and Project Management for Business Professionals: A Comprehensive Guide (John Wiley and Sons). (more…)

Tony Beshara on How to Ace Your Next Interview

klee — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:41 +0000

At some point, most people have been caught off guard by tough interview questions. In Acing the Interview: How to Ask and Answer the Questions That Will Get You the Job, the employment expert Dr. Phil called “the best of the best” gives job seekers candid advice for answering even the most unexpected questions,Tony Beshara is a 30-year veteran of the placement and recruitment field, and owner of Babich and Associates, a job placement firm. He has appeared numerous times on the nationally syndicated Dr. Phil Show. (more…)

Dan Miller on Saying Goodbye to the Monday Morning Blues

klee — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:36 +0000

The only way to find true security is by following your calling and then finding or creating work that matches your passion. Dan Miller’s new book No More Mondays addresses people looking for guidance on how to launch a new career or business, those who want to stay in their current jobs and give the old 9-to-5 model a twenty-first-century makeover, and managers desperate to understand the way people want to work today. For all of them, Dan Miller’s message is loud and clear: If you’re one of those people who dread going to work on Mondays, do something about it! (more…)

Dan Ariely on Understanding the Logic Behind Illogical Decisions

klee — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:39 +0000

Irrational behavior is a part of human nature, but as MIT professor Dan Ariely has discovered in 20 years of researching behavioral economics, people tend to behave irrationally in a predictable fashion. Drawing on psychology and economics, behavioral economics can show us why cautious people make poor decisions about sex when aroused, why patients get greater relief from a more expensive drug over its cheaper counterpart and why honest people may steal office supplies or communal food, but not money. (more…)

Ron Hira on the Inside Story of Outsourcing America

klee — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:51:32 +0000

One of the hottest, most controversial topics in the news is the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries. Outsourced jobs are extending well beyond the manufacturing sector to include white-collar professionals, particularly in information technology, financial services, and customer service. In his new book Outsourcing America, Ron Hira reveals just how much outsourcing is taking place, what its impact is and will be, and what can be done about the loss of jobs. (more…)

Annie McKee on Becoming a Resonant Leader

klee — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:38 +0000

Exceptional leaders capture passion. They lead for real: from the heart, smart and focused on the future, and with a commitment to being their very best.

A new book, Becoming a Resonant Leader, by Annie McKee, Richard Boyatzis and Frances Johnston, talks about the concept of leadership resonance. (more…)

Howard Behar on the Secret of Starbucks’ Success

klee — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:19 +0000

After a working life spent building Starbucks from a chain of 28 stores to an international coffee business through positions such as executive vice president of sales, founding president of Starbucks International and president of Starbucks North America, Howard Behar tells of the strategies he used to establish the business into the success it is today. Following the release of his book It’s Not About the Coffee, Behar shares the soft skills that helped to construct the company from a regional outlet to a corporation with international reach. (more…)

Alex Frankel on Working Undercover at America’s Top Companies

klee — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:00:28 +0000

Curious to know just what happens behind the “employees only” doors of big companies, journalist Alex Frankel embarked on an undercover reporting project to find out how some of America’s well-known companies win the hearts and minds of their retail and service employees. (more…)

Joseph Grenny on Vital Behaviors for Positive Influence

klee — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:00:39 +0000

Most of us stop trying to make change happen because we believe it is too difficult, if not impossible. We develop complicated coping strategies when we should be learning the tools and techniques of the world’s most influential people. But this is about to change. From the bestselling authors of Crucial Conversations comes Influencer, a thought-provoking book that combines the remarkable insights of behavioral scientists and business leaders with the astonishing stories of high-powered influencers from all walks of life.
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Barry Libert on How “We” Are Smarter Than “Me”

klee — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:00:20 +0000

Online Social Networking is a reality. The millions of people who have a Facebook or MySpace page, or anyone who uses Wikipedia or Google, knows this. But for today’s companies, the question remains, how can we profit from the crowds who are swarming all over the internet?
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Len Sandler on Becoming an Extraordinary Manager

klee — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:00:32 +0000

Nearly all managers dream of being inspiring leaders who elicit the most from their people. But while they may understand the skills needed to manage their teams, very few know how to put their knowledge into practice. Now, any manager can get exceptional results and make an important contribution to the organization. Becoming an Extraordinary Manager(AMACOM) by Len Sandler focuses not just on “understanding” principles of good management, but on taking action.
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Erich Joachimsthaler on Opportunities Hidden in Plain Sight

klee — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:00:27 +0000

In his book Hidden in Plain Sight, Erich Joachimsthaler explains how you can spot opportunities that too often are overlooked. The book introduces the demand-first innovation and growth (DIG) model that shows how to become an unbiased observer of people’s consumption and usage behaviors. Refining this skill helps companies generate organic growth through new products, services, solutions, and experiences that truly enhance peoples’ lives.
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Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski and Thomas Kuczmarski on Changing the Way We Lead and Succeed

klee — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:00:55 +0000

For centuries, leaders have been operating within a “control and compete” mindset. But times are changing. More and more, at the helm of successful companies, you’ll find a different sort of leader. Collaborators, not controllers, they are “square apples,” bold men and women who dare to create success by reshaping the workplace in unexpected ways.
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Mike McGuire on Preparing for a Pandemic Flu Outbreak

klee — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:18:19 +0000

Influenza pandemics are not static events like a hurricane or tornado, nor are they confined to a specific area. Pandemics come in multiple waves and experts believe that many organizations would have difficulty maintaining operations as a result of absenteeism due to illness, employees caring for the sick and other consequences.

While the federal government has plans to help slow the spread of the virus among critical populations, such as healthcare workers and (more…)

Charles Handy on Eudaemonia and Other Important Matters

klee — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:58 +0000

Charles Handy is often referred to as Britain’s greatest management thinker. He has written some of the most influential management articles and books of the past 30 years, including The Age of Unreason, The Elephant and the Flea, The Future or Work, and The Age of Paradox. In his latest book, Myself and Other More Important Matters (AMACOM), Handy shares his special brand of wisdom, giving readers uncommon insight into business and careers…as well as the choices we all have to make in our lives.
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Winners of the 2007 Alliance Awards on Strategic Alliance Excellence

klee — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:39 +0000

Strategic alliances and partnerships play a crucial role in growing businesses in today’s marketplace. But for every success story, there are numerous perils and pitfalls waiting to cause alliances to fail – so what are the secrets to strategic alliance success?

The Association for Strategic Alliance Professionals awarded a handful of companies its annual Alliance Awards for demonstrating excellence in strategic alliances. In this podcast we interview several strategic alliance executives from these companies to share insights behind their outstanding success.
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Gordon Patzer on Why Looks Matter More than You Think

klee — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:23 +0000

Dr. Gordon L. Patzer has devoted the last 30 years to investigating this unsettling phenomenon for both women and men, and how it touches every part of our lives. In his book Looks, (AMACOM) - he reveals not only its impact on romance, but also on family dynamics, performance in school, career, courtroom proceedings, politics and government. (more…)

James Parker on Doing the Right Thing at Southwest Airlines

klee — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:00:41 +0000

People matter most, we all know that. But most companies would rather slash costs, cut headcount, replace well-paid employees with lower-paid employees or outsourced workers, and reduce customer service. In the wake of 9/11, Southwest Airlines was faced with a disastrous situation that threatened to ruin not only their business but the entire airline industry. In response, Southwest Airlines made three pivotal decisions: no layoffs, no pay cuts, and no-hassle refunds for any customer wanting them. The result: Southwest remained profitable, it was the only major airline to protect the jobs of all its employees, and Southwest’s market cap soon exceeded all its major competitors combined. (more…)

Stephen M.R. Covey on Using Trust for a New Year of Success

klee — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:36 +0000

Stephen M. R. Covey is co-founder and CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide. He is the author of The Speed of Trust, which challenges the age-old assumption that trust is merely a soft, social virtue and instead demonstrates that trust is a hard-edged, economic driver—a learnable and measurable skill that makes organizations more profitable, people more promotable, and relationships more energizing. (more…)

Lisa Bodell on Driving Innovation from Within

klee — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:12 +0000

Innovation is critical to the success of both organizations and individuals. But does everyone have the ability to innovate? One company believes the answer is yes.

Lisa Bodell is the founder and CEO of futurethink. Under Lisa’s leadership, futurethink convenes a unique team of savvy businesspeople, award-winning creative strategists and members of elite futurist organizations to bring the power of progress into the reality of business. Clients such as Citigroup, Mastercard and Westin Hotels look to futurethink to develop their innovation efforts. (more…)

Laurence Miller on Handling Difficult to Disturbed Employees

klee — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:00:11 +0000

Every workplace is filled with a wide range of personalities. From Difficult to Disturbed (AMACOM), the new book by Dr. Laurence Miller, gives managers the insight, understanding, and tools they need to get the best from those who present the toughest problems. (more…)

John C. Maxwell on the Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

klee — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:08 +0000

Dr. John C. Maxwell is the founder of Maximum Impact, an Atlanta-based organization with a mission to develop leaders of excellence and integrity. Dr. Maxwell is author of more than 30 books with more than 7 million copies sold, including Failing Forward: Turning Your Failures into Stepping Stones for Success, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. (more…)

Robert Lopes on Growing a Business in the Right Direction

klee — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:00:09 +0000

The first 12 months of a CEO’s tenure provides insights into the effectiveness of his or her leadership style, his or her priorities, and—most important—his or her fit in the organization.

In January 2006, Robert Lopes joined Veritude, a division of Devonshire Investors, the private equity arm of Fidelity Investments, as its president and chief executive officer, bringing his significant professional experience in HR services and proven ability to successfully build a business. (more…)

Jane Linder on the Management Secrets Behind Wildly Successful Initiatives

klee — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:00:24 +0000

Have you ever wondered why so-called “best management practice” produces mediocre results? What if a team wanted to do something truly spectacular? What if it wanted to make a real impact?

In her new book Spiral Up. . . and Other Management Secrets Behind Wildly Successful Initiatives, Jane C. Linder argues that if you want to work wonders, you’ve got to abandon the accepted, linear, day-by-day management mindset and step into the real world. It’s anything but mechanical.
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Rick Rickertsen on Selling Your Business Your Way

klee — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:00:55 +0000

In his new book Sell Your Business Your Way: Getting Out, Getting Rich, and Getting On With Your Life (AMACOM Books), Rick Rickertsen walks readers through the entire process of selling, from valuation and preparing the business for sale to finding a buyer and assembling and closing the deal. He also addresses some often overlooked concerns, including managing the emotional issues that can undermine business and financial decisions. (more…)

Judith Bardwick on Defeating Apathy in the Workplace

klee — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:00:15 +0000

After years of downsizing, outsourcing and corporate greed gone wild, today’s workers believe that their company no longer values them. These vulnerable and resentful feelings affect as many as two-thirds of U.S. workers, who are either actively looking for new jobs or going through the motions at their current jobs. Fueled by bad management practices, this “psychological recession” can take a toll on your organization’s bottom line. So what can we do about this problem? (more…)

Bob Nelson on Sparking Motivation and Initiative in Your Team and Yourself

klee — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:26 +0000

Bob Nelson is an international recognized expert on finding these kinds of simple yet powerful ways to motivate people at work. (more…)

Rafiq Dossani on India’s Rise to the Top of Global Business

klee — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:00:47 +0000

Rafiq Dossani discusses India’s growing role in the global economy in his new book India Arriving (AMACOM Books). India has the world’s fourth largest economy, the largest youth population, and the current ranking of the second-most-preferred destination for foreign investment, yet its importance to the worldwide market seems to be swept under the rug. Rafiq’s book provides a deeper understanding of a country that promises to be the next major player in the world economy.
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Bruce Barry on Free Speech in the Workplace

klee — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:00:23 +0000

In his new book Speechless, Bruce Barry critiques a legal system that gives employers wide latitude to suppress worker expression, and argues that freedom of speech in the workplace is excessively and needlessly limited. Barry advocates changes to the law and to management practice that would expand employees’ expressive rights without jeopardizing the legitimate interests of employers. (more…)

Dan Coughlin on Accelerating Your Leadership

klee — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:11:30 +0000

In his new book Accelerate management consultant Dan Coughlin collects his experiences from over 3,000 hours of executive coaching in over 20 industries. He distills them into 20 lessons for executives and managers looking to catapult their careers and grow their businesses. (more…)

Susan Wilson Solovic on Building a Million Dollar Business

klee — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:00:26 +0000

As the head of the highly successful website Small Business Television, Susan Wilson Solovic is an authority on making money and building a thriving business. In her book, The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business (AMACOM Books), Solovic shows women that not only do they have the power to earn more money and control their financial destinies – they deserve to. (more…)

Alexandra Levit on Harnessing the Next Generation Workforce

klee — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:00:34 +0000

Alexandra Levit is the author of They Don’t Teach Corporate in College, a practical guide that delivers the vital information junior corporate employees need to succeed in today’s tough business climate. As the founder of the career consultancy Inspiration at Work, Alexandra advises both companies and individuals on harnessing the potential of the twentysomething generation. She has two books due out next year, How’d You Score THAT Gig? and Solving the Talent Equation. (more…)

Rodd Wagner on defeating workplace disengagement

klee — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:00:58 +0000

Rodd Wagner is the co-author of 12: The Elements of Great Managing, the long-awaited sequel to the 1999 runaway bestseller First, Break All the Rules. Grounded in Gallup’s 10 million employee and manager interviews spanning 114 countries, 12 follows great managers as they harness employee engagement to turn around a failing call center, save a struggling hotel, improve patient care in a hospital, maintain production through power outages, and successfully face a host of other challenges in settings around the world.
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