Synopses & Reviews
In a complicated, insecure, and constantly changing world, how do effective leaders in high-performing companies continue to succeed? Are they fearless heroes who have all the right answers-transforming businesses, making fast decisions, and inspiring everyone no matter how complex the situation? Or are they "real people" who work hard to trust others, acknowledge their own flaws, and challenge conventional thinking? Are leaders who win followers and get things done heroic figures? Or do they actually possess characteristics and practice skills that fall outside the comfort zone of executives steeped in traditional leadership methods?
Written by David Dotlich and Peter Cairo— two of the country's top executive coaches and educators— Unnatural Leadership debunks the common notion of the natural leader as a flawless figure. The book describes the truth about being a real leader in a business environment turned upside down by e-commerce, diversity, security concerns, globalization, and matrix structures. Drawing on personal experience working with successful leaders in top-tier companies throughout the world, Dotlich and Cairo identify a style of leadership used by those who succeed in complicated business and people situations, a style that maximizes a leader's strengths and acknowledges weaknesses.
Using a variety of tools and techniques based on their proven Action Learning workshops and Action Coaching methods, the authors reveal how to transition from the traditional natural leadership role and develop successful, effective unnatural leadership traits. Dotlich and Cairo recommend simple, practical ways that effective leaders use to get things done, motivate and lead, and deal with their own weaknesses and impulses.
Each chapter contains a wealth of tips and techniques to help implement and develop the skills needed to become a new kind of leader. Dotlich and Cairo challenge conventional wisdom about leadership such as "be in control" and "hide your flaws." Instead, they identify ten "unnatural acts" that effective leaders regularly commit and are, in fact, the best response to an "irrational, chaotic, and unpredictable universe." These include:
- Refuse to be a prisoner of experience
- Expose your vulnerabilities
- Create teams that create discomfort
- Trust others before they earn it
- Coach and teach rather than lead and inspire
Unnatural Leadership is a realistic and truthful road map to becoming a successful leader in today's challenging business environment. It provides a practical manual for anyone who longs to be both authentic and effective.
Review
"...well presented challenging ideas..." (
Long Range Planning, Number 38, 2005)
Pity the CEO who thinks he can be a know-it-all micromanager and still succeed. In Unnatural Leadership (Jossy-Bass), executive coaches David L. Dotlich and Peter Cairo list 10 guidelines that today's best executives are adopting. Among them: inviting change, being approachable and considering the views of the mail-room kid with the green hair. "We tell our clients, 'You have to win your followers every day,' " says Dotlich. Some of the unnatural acts the authors recommend are: "Coach and Teach Rather Than Lead and Inspire," "Expose Your Vulnerabilities" and "Trust Others Before They Earn It." Cairo says what's missing from other leadership manuals are instructions on how to practice the techniques. So each chapter in this book ends with exercises like "acknowledging your shadow side" (the power-hungry, mircromanaging stuff) to smooth the transition from arrogance to unnatural humility. (Time Magazine, May 20, 2002)
"...there is a lot here to stimulate you to review what you think is 'natural' and consider alternative courses of action which might prove, in the long term, to be more worthwhile..." (EDGE, Autuymn 2002)
Review
“This is a sophisticated and comprehensive treatment of the power of Socratic questioning of dogmas and a prophetic witness against the conservative status quo. As an educational praxis it is a must-read for all seriously engaged teachers.”
--Cornel West, Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University
“Stephen Brookfield disturbs and enriches the entire field of adult learning with this brilliant piece of teaching. The Power of Critical Theory is a practicing-what-it-preaches treatment of the power dimensions pervading the adult learning enterprise.”
--Robert Kegan, Meehan Professor of Adult Learning, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
“The volume is a major contribution by a leading professional and will become an invaluable resource for graduate programs of adult education and allied fields. It belongs in the professional libraries of serious educators of adults everywhere.”
--Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus, adult and continuing education, Columbia University, Teachers College
“I learned more from this book than from dozens of other adult education publications. Brookfield clearly presents various elements of critical theory and makes cogent connections to adult educational practices. This book is sure to become a major reference text in the field.”
--Elizabeth Hayes, professor of curriculum and instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“In masterly and lucid fashion Stephen Brookfield effortlessly connects theory and practice. Simplifying without eroding he complexity of critical theory, Brookfield traverses the grand themes of ideology, power, alienation, liberation, reason, and democracy; showing how they inform the adult education practice of fostering critical thinking and critical reflection.”
--Mark Tennant, professor of education and dean, University Graduate School, University of Technology-Sydney (Australia)
“This extraordinarily useful book illuminates the complex and abstract concepts of critical theory through frequent examples and practical applications. By reviewing the contributions and critiques of African American and Feminist writers The Power of Critical Theory provides an inclusive and accessible entry into the critical tradition.”
--Tom Heaney, professor of adult education, National Louis University-Chicago
“In The Power of Critical Theory Stephen Brookfield provides a lucid, accessible overview of how critical theory (with its daunting vocabularies and internal debates) illuminates the contexts of adult learning and orients teaching practices. The book stands an excellent chance of establishing critical theory as a dominant and legitimate interpretive practice within adult education.”
--Michael Welton, professor of adult education, Mount St. Vincent University (Canada)
Synopsis
Written by David Dotlich and Peter Cairo-- two of the country's top executive coaches and educators-- Unnatural Leadership debunks the common notion of the natural leader as a flawless figure. The book describes the truth about being a real leader in a business environment turned upside down by e-commerce, diversity, security concerns, globalization, and matrix structures. Drawing on personal experience working with successful leaders in top-tier companies throughout the world, Dotlich and Cairo identify a style of leadership used by those who succeed in complicated business and people situations, a style that maximizes a leader's strengths and acknowledges weaknesses.
Synopsis
"This book strongly reinforces my own mantra, that healthy people and healthy relationships are what make healthy companies. Dotlich and Cairo have learned that the leaders who succeed in today's workplace are those who expose their vulnerabilities, admit their flaws, embrace team members who are 'different.' As a psychologist, I applaud this trend for human reasons. As a business advisor, I acknowledge that it's a prescription for corporate success."
— Bob Rosen, CEO of Healthy Companies International and author of Global Literacies and Leading People
Synopsis
"
Unnatural Leadership captures the dilemmas and complexities of leading in a high-performing organization. These two executive coaches draw on their broad experience in working with some of the world's top companies to offer a compelling look at how executives think about leading in the 21st century. The book is packed with true stories from the front lines. Each page conveys what today's leader needs to do in order to achieve extraordinary results."
— Andrea Jung, chairman and CEO, Avon Products
"I've given many presentations on the connection between strong character and strong leadership. It's encouraging to read a book that recognizes this truth. It does take strength of character to break out of the comfortable, expected methods of running a company and to look a subordinate in the eye and unflinchingly say, 'I don't know.' That's what unnatural leadership is all about."
— Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
"This book is unnatural . . . It delves into the challenges, realities, and contradictions of being a leader today. Dotlich and Cairo reveal what they've learned from working with global CEOs and senior leaders, and how leaders at any level can accept their strengths and weaknesses, and improve on them."
— Bill Weldon, vice chairman, board of directors, Johnson & Johnson
"Leading today is complex. Our world is becoming more and more global, interconnected, and turbulent. In Unnatural Leadership, Dotlich and Cairo offer practical ideas and useful tips for dealing with the challenges of leading in a global organization."
— Joseph Berardino, CEO, Andersen
"This book strongly reinforces my own mantra, that healthy people and healthy relationships are what make healthy companies. Dotlich and Cairo have learned that the leaders who succeed in today's workplace are those who expose their vulnerabilities, admit their flaws, embrace team members who are 'different.' As a psychologist, I applaud this trend for human reasons. As a business advisor, I acknowledge that it's a prescription for corporate success."
— Bob Rosen, CEO of Healthy Companies International and author of Global Literacies and Leading People
Synopsis
The Power of Critical Theory is Brookfield’s attempt to put the “critical” back into critical thinking by emphasizing that it is an inherently political process. The book presents powerful arguments for the importance of critical theory in fostering the kind of learning that leads to a truly democratic society, and it explores a number of tasks for adult learners including learning to challenge ideology, contest hegemony, unmask power, overcome alienation, learn liberation, reclaim reason, and practice democracy.
Synopsis
In this essential resource, Stephen D. Brookfield makes a powerful case for how critical theory can illuminate the everyday practices of adult educators.
The Power of Critical Theory is Brookfield's attempt to put the "critical" back into critical thinking by emphasizing that it is an inherently political process. The book presents powerful arguments for the importance of critical theory in fostering the kind of learning that leads to a truly democratic society, and it explores a number of tasks for adult learners including learning to challenge ideology, contest hegemony, unmask power, overcome alienation, learn liberation, reclaim reason, and practice democracy.
The Power of Critical Theory examines the work of such noted theorists as Adorno, Horkheimer, Foucault, Althusser, Gramsci, Fromm, Marcuse, and Habermas. Brookfield guides readers through key concepts and explains which theorist is most closely identified with each concept. He also explores the issues of race and gender and offers critiques of the major theorists by drawing on the work of Cornel West, Angela Davis, and bell hooks, among others.
At the conclusion of the book, Brookfield shares his personal reflections and reveals the dilemmas, contradictions, pleasures, and frustrations inherent in his own attempts to teach critical theory.
Synopsis
"This is a sophisticated and comprehensive treatment of the power of Socratic questioning of dogmas and a prophetic witness against the conservative status quo. As an educational praxis it is a must-read for all seriously engaged teachers."
Cornel West, Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University
"Stephen Brookfield disturbs and enriches the entire field of adult learning with this brilliant piece of teaching. The Power of Critical Theory is a practicing-what-it-preaches treatment of the power dimensions pervading the adult learning enterprise."
Robert Kegan, Meehan Professor of Adult Learning, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
"The volume is a major contribution by a leading professional and will become an invaluable resource for graduate programs of adult education and allied fields. It belongs in the professional libraries of serious educators of adults everywhere."
Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus, adult and continuing education, Columbia University, Teachers College
"I learned more from this book than from dozens of other adult education publications. Brookfield clearly presents various elements of critical theory and makes cogent connections to adult educational practices. This book is sure to become a major reference text in the field."
Elizabeth Hayes, professor of curriculum and instruction, University of WisconsinMadison
About the Author
David L. Dotlich-- former executive vice president of Honeywell and Groupe Bull-is a partner of CDR International (www.cdr-intl.com) and coauthor of Action Learning (Jossey-Bass, 1998) and Action Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 1999), both of which identify breakthrough ways to develop leaders and are used by companies throughout the world. He is a business adviser, educator, and coach to top executives of Johnson & Johnson, Intel, Siemens, Bank of America, Novartis, Sun Microsystems, The Gap, Nike, Sprint, Washington Mutal, and more.
Peter C. Cairo former chair of the Department of Organizational and Counseling Psychology at Columbia University, specializes in the areas of leadership development, executive coaching, and business effectiveness. He is a partner of CDR International (www.crd-intl.com). His clients include Andersen, Avon, Bank of America, Colgate Palmolive, Lilly, and Merck. He is a coauthor of Action Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 1999).
Table of Contents
Foreword (Stephen H. Rhinesmith).
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
Part One: The Importance of Unnatural Leadership.
1 Ten Unnatural Acts.
Exercise: Assessing Your Unnatural Leadership.
2 Adapting to an Increasingly UnnaturalEnvironment.
Exercise: Breaking the Rules of Natural Leadership.
3 Resistance Factors.
Exercise: Assessing Your Resistance to UnnaturalLeadership.
Part Two: Personal Challenges for the Unnatural Leader.
4 Refuse to Be a Prisoner of Experience.
Exercise: Refusing to Be a Prisoner of Experience.
5 Expose Your Vulnerabilities.
Exercise: Exposing Your Vulnerabilities.
6 Acknowledge Your Shadow Side.
Exercise: Acknowledging Your Shadow Side.
7 Develop a Right-Versus-Right Decision-MakingMentality.
Exercise: A Tool for Developing an UnnaturalDecision-Making Mentality.
Part Three: Leading Teams as an Unnatural Leader.
8 Create Teams That Create Discomfort.
Exercise: Creating Teams That Create Discomfort.
9 Trust Others Before They Earn It.
Exercise: Trusting Others Before They Earn It.
10 Coach and Teach Rather Than Lead and Inspire.
Exercise: Coaching and Teaching Rather Than Leadingand Inspiring.
Part Four: Leading the Organizationas an Unnatural Leader.
11 Connect Instead of Create.
Exercise: Connecting Instead of Creating.
12 Give Up Some Control.
Exercise: Giving Up Some Control.
13 Challenge the Conventional Wisdom.
Exercise: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom.
14 Giving Yourself Unnatural Options.
Bibliography.
Index.
About the Authors.