Leadership Conversations: Challenging High Potential Managers to Become Great Leaders

by Alan S. Berson, Richard G. Stieglitz

Conversation techniques and tools that can help strong managers become great leaders Often the very same skills and traits that enable rising stars to achieve success "tenacity, aggressiveness, self-confidence" become liabilities when promoted into a leadership track. While managers' conversations are generally transactional and centered on the task at hand, leaders must focus on people, asking great questions and aligning them with the vision for the future. Leadership mindsets and skills can be developed, and Leadership Conversations provides practical guidance for connecting with others in ways that transform each interaction into an opportunity for organizational and personal growth. Leadership Conversations is required reading for both high-potential managers looking to make it to the next level and leaders looking to develop their people.

Genres: Business, Management, Leadership

320 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2012

Reviews

[Ciara Coyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

mid- but I had to read it for school so it will count towards my Goodreads goal

[Towhuey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good attempt at breaking down and guiding leaders and managers through the various stages of their growth - from first-line managers; managers of managers and then executive leaders. A good foundational resource for new or middle managers/leaders starting out on their journey.

Its quite a long read as it tries to pack a lot in the form of checklists and examples to guide self reflection and action planning.

For further reading, I would recommend getting "Crucial Conversations".

[Jarrett Crusor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having the right conversation at the right time is important

Provides a good breakdown of critical conversations at various points in a high potentials career. There is also a good framework provided early in the book that provides the different perspectives to help structure your approach to having these necessary conversations

[John Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read this book, to me, was a reminder that listening, true connection, and relationships are the keys to great leadership. The book is dense with information and not necessarily an exciting, engaging read but had great information and thought.

[Ștefania Ioana Chiorean · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books in this managerial field as it has this role playing and examples from which you can understand better the ideas and the advises.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best true leadership business books I have read. It is not light reading and requires concentration. It does a great job of differentiating Management and Leadership and goes to great lengths to explain why many great employees get promoted only to fail in their new positions. If you think you want to rise above the lowest management level this is a great place to begin your journey.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for class. This is the leadership book I would recommend (aside from Work Rules!) for non-business people. Throughout my MBA program I’ve taken about half a dozen leadership courses, and this book covered credible and relevant material from almost all of them. It’s not always a fun or engaging read, but it’s worth your time if you’re serious about your professional development.