Paid to Think: A Leader's Toolkit for Redefining Your Future

by David Goldsmith

Have you ever thought about the fact that a craftsman has more and better tools to solve challenges on the job than the leader of a business or organization does? Leadership "tools” are usually defined as computers, spreadsheets, data, and even experience, but in reality, leaders need thinking tools that are hard to come by, so they find themselves hunting and pecking for answers in books, at seminars, through on-the-job training programs, from mentors, and at business schools, and still, they’re left with gaps. Surely, most leaders are good at what they do, but the daily challenges of their jobs, like accelerating growth, increasing productivity, driving innovation, doing more with less, and balancing work with life don’t come with some sort of leadership toolkit...until now.

In Paid to Think, international consultant David Goldsmith presents his groundbreaking approach to leadership and management based on research revealing the twelve specific activities that all leaders perform on a daily basis, and he provides you with each activity’s accompanying tools and instructions proven to boost your performance and that of your entire organization.

Take the uncertainty out of everyday leading, convert ideas to realities, and maximize your intellectual value. Learn how decision makers at some of the world’s most successful organizations have already used Paid to Think’s universal and easily transferable tools—regardless of their industries, sectors, geographic locations, or management levels—as their greatest advantages in achieving more, earning more, and living more.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Management, Professional Development, Productivity, Audiobook, Nonfiction

544 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2012

Reviews

[Kare Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply this is the best book I’ve read on how to stay focused on solving the biggest problems, sometimes before they happen and seize the opportunities that keep a company ahead of competitors. In our increasingly disruptive world where competition his faster, harder and from more places the companies that thrive have leaders who know what to track and how to make swift decisions that attract swift, apt, vital support. In short top leaders know they are Paid to Think, not manage nor other distractions that take their eyes off the ball. Such leaders are so clear and competent at that core role that others want to be a part of their team, knowing they get to use their best talents because that’s what they were hired to do. Not only is this book packed with practical specifics it is written by someone who does what he advocates, as I know first-hand.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a matter of disclosure, I read this book as one of the selections for the Credit Union Leaders Book Club group on LinkedIn. In addition, I serve as one of the moderators for the group.

This book, by David Goldsmith, is not one of your typical 200-250 page tomes on a business related topic that has been popular for the past several years. This is a detailed explanation of the Enterprise Thinking process and how it can be incorporated across the four key areas of strategizing, learning, performing and forecasting. The book is rich in graphics, examples and exercises to help the reader integrate the process. An advantage is that the graphics can be downloaded from the Paid to Think website.

Strategizing is divided into chapters encompassing Developing Plans, Creating New Products and Services, Establishing Alliances and Leveraging Technology. I found each these chapters especially intriguing in that they caused me either think in a different way or give organization to the thought processes that I have used in the past.

Learning contains chapters on Acquiring New Knowledge, Enhancing Global Awareness and Watching Competition. As Learner is my strongest characteristic on the Strenghtsfinder profile, I found this section provided me with several new ideas to expand my quest for knowledge.

Performing has chapters that address Leading the Charge, Empowering Others, Innovating Everywhere and Selling Continuously. Yes, this section of the book is about leadership. While it contains several points that I have read in other books, blogs, etc. I still found the ideas and concepts of interest.

Forecasting was a single chapter on Forecasting the Future. It provided me with some additional organization and processes for thinking about the future for myself and the organizations that I work with.

The last chapter in the book is devoted to implementing the ideas and concepts contained within the chapters.

The book is well researched with extensive notes and a glossary that addresses the terms used by the author.

This is the type of book that you will need to go back and reread chapters as you implement the process of Enterprise Thinking in order to make sure that you are not skipping any of the steps.

I recommend this book for individuals who are truly serious about expanding the way they think and are willing to spend the time and effort needed to do it.

[Anthony Bovino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative and executives alike- this tome (yes it's that big) is an MBA Leadership course between two covers

[Curtismchale · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a single standout idea and process. His process for reframing your problems into challenges and making sure that you’re in fact working on the right stuff was awesome.

The rest of the book was bogged down in 3 Criteria, with 5 steps instead each and 12 sub-steps. Each sub-step may have 3 nuances to it.

It continually made me think of Dr Suess and Yurtle the Turtle. Each stack of steps was just a big unending stack of turtles. One on top of the other and the further we go the more “nuances” (turtles) we find and the more steps you have to take.

I think that I’d have to hire someone just to do the work in the book because I’d never be able to do it and get anything done in my business.

[loafingcactus]

Maybe if I had been in the mood to read a whole book to find that one management idea that was new-to-you on the topic. But I'm not, and this book isn't what I thought I was getting.

Didn't give a star rating because anything I would give is perhaps unfair to the book for what it is.

[Bon Osonwanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consulting goldmine

Good read for anyone building a business in information technology to create value for clients or management consulting, building systems and structures in place to deliver wildly successful projects and great career advise.

[Frank Malamia]

good