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Where's my dog? The Search for Honest Leadership
What a bizarre title. But nevertheless, it is interesting isn’t it? Doesn’t it make you ask, “What could this be all about”? Well the truth is it’s not about dogs at all; it’s about leadership and honesty.
Nevertheless dogs do serve as a useful metaphor. You see, dogs are the closest thing we can find when searching for examples of uncompromising honesty. Dishonesty is not part of their DNA. In contrast, the problem for many leaders today is that at some level “most people lie”.
This may seem like a provocative statement but it’s true, even though most of the time we do not even know we are doing it. Some, including many renowned psychologists, would even say that at some level we need to lie to survive. Do we?
In a world of business, sports and political Watergates and scandals that has even culminated in Papal resignations against a background of “vatileaks”, we seem to suffer from a paradoxical scenario. We find ourselves contrasting the lack of honesty that brought down many of our business and sporting figures as exemplified by the likes of Madoff, Lance Armstrong and Oscar Pistorius (to name a few), with the apparent total honesty of leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Kofi Anan and even Richard Branson or Steve Jobs.
We all know that whilst some leaders command respect, others do not. Some leaders have willing followers, whilst others are followed through coercion. Some may lose their followers, whilst others should never have any. And some allow their egos to block trust, whilst others are dealers in trust.
This book is therefore a journey into one of the hottest topics for leaders today – honest leadership. But this is not just another leadership book, or simply a nice story. It is about honest leaders changing the world.
Now that’s a big claim. But its deserved, because this book sniffs and scratches around the undergrowth searching for the real meaning of honesty and leadership and finishes up helping you uncover your own truth. And with the aid of a remarkably simple idea – the Eight Axioms of Honest Leadership – this book will provide you with the tools and skills to enable you to identify, train and maybe even tame your own leadership approach and help you to become a “top dog”.
Nevertheless dogs do serve as a useful metaphor. You see, dogs are the closest thing we can find when searching for examples of uncompromising honesty. Dishonesty is not part of their DNA. In contrast, the problem for many leaders today is that at some level “most people lie”.
This may seem like a provocative statement but it’s true, even though most of the time we do not even know we are doing it. Some, including many renowned psychologists, would even say that at some level we need to lie to survive. Do we?
In a world of business, sports and political Watergates and scandals that has even culminated in Papal resignations against a background of “vatileaks”, we seem to suffer from a paradoxical scenario. We find ourselves contrasting the lack of honesty that brought down many of our business and sporting figures as exemplified by the likes of Madoff, Lance Armstrong and Oscar Pistorius (to name a few), with the apparent total honesty of leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Kofi Anan and even Richard Branson or Steve Jobs.
We all know that whilst some leaders command respect, others do not. Some leaders have willing followers, whilst others are followed through coercion. Some may lose their followers, whilst others should never have any. And some allow their egos to block trust, whilst others are dealers in trust.
This book is therefore a journey into one of the hottest topics for leaders today – honest leadership. But this is not just another leadership book, or simply a nice story. It is about honest leaders changing the world.
Now that’s a big claim. But its deserved, because this book sniffs and scratches around the undergrowth searching for the real meaning of honesty and leadership and finishes up helping you uncover your own truth. And with the aid of a remarkably simple idea – the Eight Axioms of Honest Leadership – this book will provide you with the tools and skills to enable you to identify, train and maybe even tame your own leadership approach and help you to become a “top dog”.
246 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
David B. Watkins
1 book2 followersFollowing graduation from his MBA a few years ago, one of David's Professors stated “if you get the chance, work with David in any way you can”.
Others have said “David is a truly inspirational and dynamic leader with a natural flair for business”. These highly regarded comments make it clear that David is not any ordinary author, but rather one who writes with passion, energy and commitment to ensure his beliefs in authentic and transformational leadership are brought to life and reach as many people as possible.
Born in the UK approximately 4 decades ago, but currently living in Switzerland with his wife, two kids and a dog, David has spent most of his working life travelling the globe for international blue chip organisations.
Aside from writing books, David is an experienced business consultant, coach and facilitator, spearheading culture-changing initiatives that define priorities, deliver strategic solutions, and move companies forward.
His work attracts “radiators” – those who believe in being able to do the right things regardless of where they currently sit and what they do. It is said that David has an uncanny ability to drive high levels of inspiration and engagement through his passion for developing people and helping them to improve their performance; taking them and their organisations from where they are, to where they have not yet been and delivering results beyond the ordinary.
In addition to his award winning and top class MBA studies, David has extensive business experience in global contexts working with multiple aspects of organisational development, including:
Leadership & Talent development • HR Management • Change Management • Sales & Marketing, Performance Management • Customer intimacy• Brand Behaviour • Relationship Building • Stakeholder Management • Team Development/Leadership • Motivation & Coaching
Others have said “David is a truly inspirational and dynamic leader with a natural flair for business”. These highly regarded comments make it clear that David is not any ordinary author, but rather one who writes with passion, energy and commitment to ensure his beliefs in authentic and transformational leadership are brought to life and reach as many people as possible.
Born in the UK approximately 4 decades ago, but currently living in Switzerland with his wife, two kids and a dog, David has spent most of his working life travelling the globe for international blue chip organisations.
Aside from writing books, David is an experienced business consultant, coach and facilitator, spearheading culture-changing initiatives that define priorities, deliver strategic solutions, and move companies forward.
His work attracts “radiators” – those who believe in being able to do the right things regardless of where they currently sit and what they do. It is said that David has an uncanny ability to drive high levels of inspiration and engagement through his passion for developing people and helping them to improve their performance; taking them and their organisations from where they are, to where they have not yet been and delivering results beyond the ordinary.
In addition to his award winning and top class MBA studies, David has extensive business experience in global contexts working with multiple aspects of organisational development, including:
Leadership & Talent development • HR Management • Change Management • Sales & Marketing, Performance Management • Customer intimacy• Brand Behaviour • Relationship Building • Stakeholder Management • Team Development/Leadership • Motivation & Coaching
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