The Work of Leaders How Vision, Alignment, and Execution Will Change the Way You Lead

Author: Julie Straw; Barry Davis; Mark Scullard; Susie Kukkonen
Publisher: Pfeiffer
ISBN: 9781118636534
Published In: April 2013
Format: Hardback , 240 pages
Jurisdiction: International ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Comprehensively researched, thought-provoking, and eminently practical VAE: The Work of Leaders stimulates fresh conversations and new perspectives regardless of the leader’s knowledge or experience. It’s an opportunity for leaders at all levels of learning to reflect on how they approach each step of their work along a “leadership continua” and helps leaders take action with personalized tips and strategies that give clear direction and are easy to apply.

Introductory chapters introduce the steps of the VAE process, defines, demystifies, and contextualizes each, and sets up the three key “drivers” for each step. Subsequent chapters address each driver in detail.

Driver chapters introduce keys and behaviors that leaders use to further each step of the model and provides specific strategies for those who are looking to increase their ability to explore during the vision process. It also makes these ideas concrete by relating illustrative examples or anecdotes about people and organizations who have used these drivers to improve their effectiveness to realize each step in meaningful ways. Throughout each chapter, proprietary research and quotes from key thinkers help to add interest and depth to the discussion.

Concluding chapters aim to “bring to life” each step with real-world stories that illustrate key lessons about each step on the leadership continua. These examples show the simplicity, intuitiveness, and usefulness of each step as a part of the work of leaders. It also includes suggested reading for further exploration of this aspect of the work of leaders.

Acknowledgments ix

Foreword by Dr. Bernard W. Franklin xiii

Introduction xvii

1 Welcome to the Work of Leaders 1

VISION 11

2 Introduction to Crafting a Vision 13

3 Crafting a Vision Through Exploration 23

4 Crafting a Vision Through Boldness 33

5 Crafting a Vision Through Testing Assumptions 43

6 Summary of Crafting a Vision 53

ALIGNMENT 59

7 Introduction to Building Alignment 61

8 Building Alignment Through Clarity 69

9 Building Alignment Through Dialogue 79

10 Building Alignment Through Inspiration 89

11 Summary of Building Alignment 99

EXECUTION 105

12 Introduction to Championing Execution 107

13 Championing Execution Through Momentum 113

14 Championing Execution Through Structure 125

15 Championing Execution Through Feedback 135

16 Summary of Championing Execution 147

Afterword: Using VAE in Your Organization 153

Appendix A: The Development of the Work of Leaders VAE Model 161

Appendix B: Feedback Outtakes 189

References 193

Resources 197

About Inscape Publishing 201

About the Authors 203

Index 207

Julie Straw oversees Inscape's network of more than 1,800 trainers, coaches, and consultants and has guided development of this book from the reader's perspective.

Mark Scullard, PhD, leads all aspects of research for Inscape and personally combed through all of the data—hundreds of thousands of item responses—that made this book possible.

Susie Kukkonen leads all product development efforts at Inscape and juggled the writing of this book with a full-tilt product development schedule.

Barry Davis oversees both marketing and product development for Inscape, and his passion for innovation means that he doesn't understand the phrase, "But that's how we've always done it."