Synopses & Reviews
Baldoni’s insights are easy to understand and absolutely on target for the requirements of a modern-day leader.”
— Jim Moore, former Chief Learning Officer, BellSouth, Nortel, and Sun Microsystems
“John Baldoni has a distinct ability to peel away the complexities of leadership and deliver truly practical advice. His deeply useful ideas will resonate with managers at all organizational levels.”
— Paul Michelman, Director of Content, Harvard Business Digital, Harvard Business Publishing
“A new book by John Baldoni is an event, and this one may be the best of all. It’s packed with content (principles and stories) written so that the lessons are incredibly easy to absorb and remember. It will be a classic.”
— David Maister, preeminent authority on the management of professional service firms and author, First Among Equals and Trusted Advisor
“Lead by Example takes a unique approach to leadership. While most books on leadership focus on the ‘me’ aspect of leadership—how can I be a great leader— Lead by Example offers pragmatic, actionable advice that pinpoints the real power source of great leaders, namely the people that are inspired to ‘follow’ them. Lead by Example will quickly become a must read.”
— Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus, CIO Magazine
“In a world plagued by headlines of leadership missteps, here’s a book that speaks to how effective leaders are getting it right.”
— Nick Nissley, Ed.D., Executive Director,
The Banff Centre, Leadership Development, Banff, Canada
Review
“…your bookshelves may already be stuffed with books on leadership, make room for Lead by Example.” -- T & D magazine
Review
“…your bookshelves may already be stuffed with books on leadership, make room for Lead by Example.” -- T & D magazine
“…the man, who was named one of the ‘30 Most Influential Leadership Gurus’ …can inspire results.” -- Entrepreneur.com
“…a source of inspiration…about relating to staff or suggest ways you might drive innovation.” -- CIO magazine
“…excellent and practical book that addresses areas that leaders need…to be the kind of person that people will… follow.” -- Leadershipnow.com
“…provides insights on everything from managing crises, defusing tensions, earning employee trust…even how leaders can lighten up.” --Managesmarter.com
"...its lessons are universal and well worth studying." -- Financial Executive magazine
“…a fantastic handbook for anyone who is responsible for getting their organizations through these tough economic times… should be on every manager's bookshelf for ready reference.” -- Graziadio Business Report
“..removes the intricacies of leadership and offers easily understandable ways leaders can inspire results... gets to the heart of what makes a leader effective.” -- Execunet’s CareerSmart Advisor Newsletter
“…reaches across time to provide advice and insights from the greatest political, business and social leaders of the past 100 years in how to inspire people.” -- TheStreet.com
Review
“…the man, who was named one of the ‘30 Most Influential Leadership Gurus’ …can inspire results.” -- Entrepreneur.com
Review
“…a source of inspiration…about relating to staff or suggest ways you might drive innovation.” -- CIO magazine
Review
“…excellent and practical book that addresses areas that leaders need…to be the kind of person that people will… follow.” -- Leadershipnow.com
Review
“…provides insights on everything from managing crises, defusing tensions, earning employee trust…even how leaders can lighten up.” --Managesmarter.com
Review
"...its lessons are universal and well worth studying." -- Financial Executive magazine
Review
“…a fantastic handbook for anyone who is responsible for getting their organizations through these tough economic times… should be on every manager's bookshelf for ready reference.” -- Graziadio Business Report
Review
“..removes the intricacies of leadership and offers easily understandable ways leaders can inspire results... gets to the heart of what makes a leader effective.” -- Execunet’s CareerSmart Advisor Newsletter
Review
“…reaches across time to provide advice and insights from the greatest political, business and social leaders of the past 100 years in how to inspire people.” -- TheStreet.com
Synopsis
To be effective, the people in charge must give their team a reason to believe in their talents and their ability to get people to work together. Great leadership requires decisiveness, authority, conviction, compassion, amd, most importantly, the ability to set the right example. In Lead by Example, leadership guru John Baldoni reveals the traits and abilities leaders need to know to inspire others to follow them.
Synopsis
Leadershipnow.com / The Best Leadership Books of 2008
Taking over the top job, whether it's the CEO of a company or the manager of a department, is never easy. When done the right way, it results in inspired leadership; when done the wrong way, it can lead to disaster. To be effective, the people in charge must give their team a reason to believe in their talents and their ability to get people to work together. Great leadership requires decisiveness, authority, conviction, compassion, and, most important, the ability to set the right example. It would seem easy, but it takes a lifetime of trying to put it into practice. In Lead by Example, recognized leadership guru John Baldoni reveals the traits and abilities leaders need to know to inspire others to follow them. Readers will learn how to:
listen for ideas - manage around obstacles - defuse tension - check their egos - stand up for what they believe in - manage crises - develop team confidence - recruit good people - deliver bad news - handle defeat - engage their enemies
Filled with examples of visionary leaders who have overcome their shortcomings and achieved greatness, Lead by Example will show readers how to build trust, drive results, and win the respect of the people they lead.
Synopsis
Leadershipnow.com / The Best Leadership Books of 2008
Taking over the top job, whether it’s the CEO of a company or the manager of a department, is never easy. When done the right way, it results in inspired leadership; when done the wrong way, it can lead to disaster. To be effective, the people in charge must give their team a reason to believe in their talents and their ability to get people to work together. Great leadership requires decisiveness, authority, conviction, compassion, and, most important, the ability to set the right example. It would seem easy, but it takes a lifetime of trying to put it into practice. In Lead by Example, recognized leadership guru John Baldoni reveals the traits and abilities leaders need to know to inspire others to follow them. Readers will learn how to:
listen for ideas • manage around obstacles • defuse tension • check their egos • stand up for what they believe in • manage crises • develop team confidence • recruit good people • deliver bad news • handle defeat • engage their enemies
Filled with examples of visionary leaders who have overcome their shortcomings and achieved greatness, Lead by Example will show readers how to build trust, drive results, and win the respect of the people they lead.
About the Author
John Baldoni is an internationally recognized leadership consultant, speaker, and author of seven books, including Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders. In 2007, he was named one of the “30 Most Influential Leadership Gurus” by Leadership Gurus International. John’s leadership writings have appeared in BusinessWeek.com, FastCompany.com, and Harvard Business Publishing. He has been featured or quoted in many publications, including the New York Times, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, and Investor’s Business Daily. Visit him at www.johnbaldoni.com.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
Prologue xiii
PART I: SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE 1
LESSON 1: It All Starts with Character 3
LESSON 2: Knowing What You Know (and Don’t Know) 7
LESSON 3: Accountability: The Buck Stops Here 13
LESSON 4: Courage: Stand Up for What You Believe 17
LESSON 5: Check Your Ego 21
LESSON 6: Take a Hard Look in the Mirror 25
LESSON 7: Patience, Patience 28
LESSON 8: Make Your Presence Felt 31
PART II:
ACT THE PART 35
LESSON 9: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! 37
LESSON 10: Listening for Ideas 42
LESSON 11: Developing Questions 47
LESSON 12: Giving Feedback 51
LESSON 13: Decisiveness: Decide or Not 55
LESSON 14: Influence: Getting People on Board 58
LESSON 15: Influencing Without Authority 61
LESSON 16: Know How to Win 64
LESSON 17: Hang Out the Lifelines 68
LESSON 18: Manage (and Lead) 71
LESSON 19: Managing by Inclusion 75
LESSON 20: Manage Around Obstacles 79
LESSON 21: Leading Innovation 82
LESSON 22: Moving from What to How 86
LESSON 23: Delegate (and Execute) for Results 89
LESSON 24: Upside-Down Leadership 93
LESSON 25: Make It Personal (Sometimes) 97
LESSON 26: Sustaining a Winning Culture 101
PART III:
HANDLE THE TOUGH STUFF 105
LESSON 27: Defusing Tension 107
LESSON 28: Engage the Enemy 110
LESSON 29: Managing Crises 113
LESSON 30: Avoiding the Cross-Purposes Trap 117
LESSON 31: Delivering Bad News 121
LESSON 32: Persuading the Unpersuaded 124
LESSON 33: Handling Defeat 130
LESSON 34: Perseverance: Keep Pounding the Rock 133
LESSON 35: Resilience: Get Up and Do It Again 136
LESSON 36: Adaptability: Everything Changes, Even Leaders 140
LESSON 37: Forgive (Not Forget) 144
LESSON 38: Avoid the Blame Game 148
LESSON 39: Negotiate Position, Not Values 153
LESSON 40: Being Tough 158
LESSON 41: Letting Off Steam 163
PART IV:
PUT THE TEAM FIRST 167
LESSON 42: Developing Team Confidence 169
LESSON 43: Managing Dissent 173
LESSON 44: Recruiting Good People 176
LESSON 45: All You Need Is Love 180
LESSON 46: Get off the Pedestal 186
LESSON 47: Grace: Make It Look Effortless 189
LESSON 48: Humility: Get out of the Limelight 193
LESSON 49: Remembering the Past 197
LESSON 50: Humor: Lighten Up, It’s Only Work 201
Epilogue 205
Notes 209
Index 217