Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading

Amazon.com
Climbing Mount Everest: dangerous. Hitchhiking in Colombia: very dangerous. Leading through change: perilous. Perilous but possible, say Heifetz and Linsky in their encouragingly practical guide to putting yourself on the line and negotiating the hazards of leadership. As the authors acknowledge, many leadership books are "all about inspiration, but downplay the perspiration." This one doesn't. Leadership is always a risky business, but those risks can be understood and reduced. Effective leadership comes from doing more than the technical work of routine management; it involves adaptive work on the part of the leader, and a willingness to confront and disturb people, promote their resourcefulness, and engage their ability to adjust to new realities. But adaptive change always encounters resistance. Heifetz and Linsky examine four forms of resistance--marginalization, diversion, attack, and seduction--before presenting a number of practical resistance-response skills to nurture and employ. Some are fairly obvious (like developing and maintaining perspective, and holding steady in the midst of change), and others more complex (like thinking politically when dealing with friends, foes, and fence sitters), but shimmering nuggets of insight and practical wisdom can be found in each. The dangers of leadership also spring from within, however, and the book's final section addresses ways to recognize and manage competing "hungers" and learn to distinguish one's roles from one's self. The authors' points are illustrated by the experiences of leaders from all walks of life, making this a useful and inspiring manual for anyone hoping to put themselves on the line and make a difference in the lives of others. --S. Ketchum


From Publishers Weekly
Recognizing that it can be both lonely and difficult at the top, the authors faculty members of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government set out to lend emotional and practical support. Whether leaders represent a local planning board or a Fortune 500 company, they "live dangerously," say the authors, "because when leadership counts, when you lead people through difficult change, you challenge what people hold dear their daily habits, tools, loyalties, and ways of thinking with nothing more to offer perhaps than a possibility." To that end, Heifetz and Linsky offer useful strategies leaders can employ, such as building political constituencies, trying to orchestrate the inevitable conflict, and forcing those who cause problems to actually solve the problems. Indeed, the book does dwell on the negative aspects of leadership, serving more as a troubleshooting guide than a how-to leadership handbook. Some of the examples are informal (e.g., the 1994 Chicago Bulls), while others are more traditional (e.g., city planning and politics). Showing a sympathetic side, Heifetz and Linsky offer tactics to help leaders not to take conflict personally. Remember, they counsel, you are more than your job. This book will undoubtedly provide leaders and managers comfort on days when everything seems to be going wrong in their department or organization. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Every day, in every facet of our lives, opportunities to lead call out to us. At work and at home, in our local communities and in the global village, the chance to make a difference beckons. Yet often, we hesitate. For all its passion and promise, for all its excitement and rewards, leading is risky, dangerous work. Why? Because real leadership-the kind that surfaces conflict, challenges long-held beliefs, and demands new ways of doing things-causes pain. And when people feel threatened, they take aim at the person pushing for change. As a result, leaders often get hurt both personally and professionally. In Leadership on the Line, renowned leadership authorities Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky marshal a half century of combined teaching and consulting experience to show that it is possible to put ourselves on the line, respond effectively to the risks, and live to celebrate our efforts. With compelling examples including the presidents of countries and the presidents of organizations, everyday managers and prominent activists, politicians and parents, the authors illustrate proven strategies for surviving and thriving amidst the dangers of leading: · "Getting on the balcony": stepping back to get perspective while remaining fiercely engaged · "Thinking politically": keeping the opposition close, but watching your allies, too · "Orchestrating the conflict": using stress productively to work the issues · "Giving the work back": putting the responsibility on those who need to make the change · "Holding steady": maintaining your focus while taking the heat The authors also address often-neglected aspects of leadership, such as how to manage your personal vulnerabilities, and how to anchor yourself and sustain your spirit through tough times. Both uplifting and practical, this essential book enables each of us to lead courageously and confidently-without losing ourselves.


Book Info
An encouragingly practical guide to putting yourself on the line and negotiating the hazards of leadership. The authors' points are illustrated by the experiences of leaders from all walks of life, making this a useful and inspiring manual for anyone hoping to put themselves on the line and make a difference in the lives of others.


From the Author
This book is about the personal challenges and dangers of exercising leadership. We wrote it after a half-century of teaching and consulting between us. We have worked in medicine, law, music, journalism and politics and we have been working together for some fifteen years. We have heard literally thousands of stories from people, some of them at the top of large organizations, some in the middle, some on the outside. Many of their stories come from professional experience, but many come from folks’ civic and personal lives, as well. What these stories have told us is that leadership is difficult and dangerous, but also that there are many powerful and practical ideas that can reduce the risks; moreover, exercising leadership is worth doing because it adds significance and meaning to your life. This book grew out of their stories. We use these stories to illustrate both the mistakes you can easily make and the ways you can avoid making them. How do you put yourself out there without you becoming the issue? How do you stay in a leadership role, asking the difficult questions, pointing out the gap between espoused values and behavior, keeping uncomfortable subjects on the table or doing yourself in? How do you keep your own spirit alive when those threatened are attacking you and some of your allies are abandoning you? Finally, this book is about why exercising leadership is so important, not only for the groups, organizations and communities you are trying to affect, but also for you, yourself, in the significance and meaning in your own life. Our deepest aspirations for Leadership on the Line are that it will provide both practical advice and inspiration, so that you will have better tools and means to lead, protect yourself, keep your spirit alive, and celebrate the fruits of your labor.


From the Back Cover
"This is not a conventional book about how to inspire and lead a large organization. It is a much more ambitious work that describes the personal challenges and tactical problems that arise in trying to exert a constructive influence in all kinds of organizational settings. In its wealth of examples, insights, and suggestions, every reader will find ideas of genuine value." -Derek C. Bok, President Emeritus of Harvard University and author of The Trouble with Government "With stories that are inspiring and sobering, Heifetz and Linsky show us the perils of leadership and offer us the keys to survival. This book will be indispensable to anyone trying to make big changes in how their company does business." -Robert Iger, President and COO, Walt Disney Company "This practical guide to the art of leadership contains wisdom for us all, combining vivid stories with intellectual rigor. The authors honor the notion that we each have unique gifts to offer, and through our offering we can both serve the common good and, in so doing, derive a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives." - The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, Episcopal Church in the United States "Chock-full of political wisdom as well as wisdom for the soul. Anyone with passion to make a difference in public life ought to read this book before taking another step." -Doris Kearns Goodwin, historian and author of No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt-The Home Front in World War II "Leadership on the Line could also be called 'High Risk, High Payoff.' Having the courage to step forward with solutions regardless of an accepted pecking order is what real leadership is all about. Overcoming the perils of leading and the satisfaction that comes in doing so is the theme of this splendid work." -Lieutenant General Bernard E. Trainor, USMC (Ret.) Senior Fellow for National Security, Council on Foreign Relations "There are many books about leadership, but I know of none more realistic about the risks and rewards of challenging an organization than this one. It is 'tough love' applied to the real world." -David S. Broder, The Washington Post "This book goes well beyond making a significant contribution to the field of leadership. Heifetz and Linsky leverage their formidable professional and personal experiences to show all of us, at work and love and play, how to lead and live more fully." -Warren Bennis, University of Southern California, coauthor of the forthcoming Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values, and Defining Moments Shape Leaders


About the Author
Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky are on the faculty at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Heifetz is the author of Leadership Without Easy Answers and Co-director of the school's Center for Public Leadership. Linsky is Faculty Chair of many of the school's executive programs, including Senior Officials in State and Local Government and Leadership for the 21st Century.


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Why Soundview Likes This Book
Leadership on the Line offers a well-rounded approach to leadership that embraces the humanity of the leader while providing numerous pertinent examples and lessons about successful leadership strategies. The authors' words of practical advice and inspiration are packed with wisdom and experiences that can give any leader a better perspective on their crucial role in business, family, government and community. Copyright (c) 2002 Soundview Executive Book Summaries


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