Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do

by Kathryn D. Cramer

How to implement effecitve, magnetic leadership by applying asset-based thinking and shifting your mindset from the negative to the positive Lead Positive takes the fundamentals of Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) and turns them into a playbook for successful leadership. ABT is a simple mindset management process that shows people how to make small shifts in perception and thinking to achieve great results. Cramer shows leaders how to apply ABT to shift their attention away from what is negative and learn to intentionally shine the spotlight on the positive, beneficial facts of a situation. As they make this mental shift from negative to positive aspects, they improve their optimism, empathy, and confidence. When their mindset zooms in on what is strong, valuable, and possible, what they say and do is far more likely to inspire others to action. In short, ABT helps leaders shift internally so they can excel externally. Lead Positive weaves neuroscience and positive psychology to create effective leadership strategies.

Genres: Leadership

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Kathy Cramer, Ph.D., is the founder and managing partner of The Cramer Institute in St. Louis, MO. For more than twenty years, she and her colleagues have pioneered the development of Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) approaches to coaching, consulting, and training, and inspiring individuals and organizations. Her signature programs, keynotes, books, and online and new media offerings have passionate followers among corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, schools, psychologists, coaches, and others who are dealing with change, transition, innovation, and success in today’s world.

Kathy is an accomplished speaker, trainer, executive consultant, and the author of six books, including, Change the Way You See Yourself Through Asset-Based Thinking (2008), the first title in the ABT series, Change the Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking (2006), and When Faster, Harder, Smarter Is Not Enough (2002). The newest release in the ABT series is Change the Way You See Everything for Teens (April 2009.)

Dr. Cramer has received wide media recognition in such outlets as The Oprah Winfrey Show,Personal Excellence, St. Louis Business Journal, Realtor magazine, TomPeters.com, Forbes.com, and other national and regional venues. She has produced two films on stress, one of which received an Emmy Award.

Reviews

[Becky Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dr. Cramer's approach in this book. She includes helpful exercises and frameworks to help you know what to see, say, and do to take a positive approach in leading. She has inspired me to focus on opportunities and possibilities instead of problems and challenges.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good skill sets to practice.

My take aways:
Instead of deficit based thinking which looks at what is wrong what is missing and what are the gaps between where we are and where we want to be, use asset based thinking which focuses on what is going right, what are the skills we have and the potentials. It’s more of a positive outlook.

Your perceptual set is one of the most powerful sources of influence when it comes to shaping your selective attention.

Things that can trigger perceptions: feelings, needs, prior experience, assumptions, beliefs and expectations .

Conversation and collaboration produce the best ideas.

See, Think, Feel

Acknowledge, Scan, Act

My Mount Rushmore
Barb Toney- patient, encourager
Laura Eaker- kind, thoughtful, generous
Melanie Riley- Grace under pressure
Dianne Leahy- Positive, fun, motivated

Learn to be responsive rather than reactive. In stressful situations you can feel hopeful, engaged, curious, resilient, creative and open minded instead of angry, frustrated, anxious, tense and indecisive.

Hero’s Journey
1. Call (Envision need for change)
2. Resistance (Explore)
3. Threshold Crossing (point of no return)
4. The Journey (invent)
5. The Supreme Ordeal (inspire)
6. Return Home (reap rewards)

[Kevin Eikenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book to review several months ago (the book was published a bit over a month ago). I read it this week, and obviously I liked it or I wouldn’t be typing these words.

Until today when I went to get the Amazon link, I never made the connection between this book and a very cool book I read about a year and a half ago called Change the Way you See Everything Through Asset Based Thinking.

Read more...

[Rebecca Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Kathryn D. Cramer’s “Lead Positive” is based on the premise of Asset-Based Thinking, which is simply looking at yourself and your world through the lens of what’s working for you and your situation. The book teaches us to look at possibilities, rather than problems – a reframing of what most of us tend to naturally see. I especially liked “Part 2 – What Highly Effective Leaders Say”, which is filled with fabulous examples.

“Lead Positive” is well researched, well documented, and well indexed – three things that I sometimes fail to see in books that I want to keep for future reference, as I certainly will this book. It’s also easily and quickly read, which is a real plus in today’s world. I’ve already recommended the book to several friends; I’m anxious to see what they will think of the book.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another self -help book, you know the drill. It was different in a good way. I mean that Ms. Cramer wrote in a familiar and friendly way. Experiences, ideas and problem solving. Kinda read like a novel. Short little bursts of inspirations. Not that I have a high powered job but I really like reading about other peoples experiences in the workplace and how it helps or doesn't. It just made me feel like I could do better at my job and help me keep a positive outlook. Yeah, it was nice. When you are having a bad day at work just flip it open to a page and I think you'll get a smile going.

[Chantal Bechervaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do. Dr. Cramer's approach of seeing the positive, or assets, in difficult situations is something that I try to do. It is sometimes easier to focus on the negative and start a downward spiral of what is going wrong. Dr. Cramer’s book gives practical methods and ways to incorporate Asset-Based Thinking into everyday situations. I love the exercise Scan, Snap, and Savor. This is a book that you will read and re-read time and again. Highly recommended!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

You certainly don't have to be the head of a company to appreciate what this inspiring book has to offer. Whether you are a parent or a CEO, reading this book is bound to give you an advantage . It starts off strong, and doesn't let up. It is a highly engaging, yet simple to follow book. Provides you with the skills needed to focus on possibilities, rather than problems. Essential reading for business & personal life.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a administrator at a community college, I believe that leadership is a skill set that must be taught and learned. I believe that servant leadership is the most inspirational. Dr. Cramer uses a positive framework with new techniques to illustrate what highly effective leaders do. While there were several great aspects of this book, I found it hard to connect with some of the examples. It doesn't speak to a diverse audience and puts highly effective leaders in a small box.

[Mike Niebrzydowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually ended up enjoying this book - or finding it more helpful - than the last leadership book. Now, it's not exactly edited well...many typos and a lot of prepositions to end sentences (grammar police!). I think the exercises and examples presented were just more relatable, as a lot of it was about reacting - or rather, responding - to situations and conversation/communication. I think I learned a lot from this book.

Who is on your Mount Rushmore? :)

[Daniel Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could see my copy of Lead Positive you'd notice that it is quite dog-eared and marked up from beginning to end. I highly recommend it for leaders and anyone coaching leaders. I'll certainly be using it in my practice.

I love the practical tools that are ready to use.

[Kimunya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, adaptable and well written. I loved reading Lead Positive. Not only will I use it for my own personal growth, but in my upcoming coaching program. Thank you Dr. Cramer for blessing us with such awesome knowledge.

[V Massaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book did a really good job in framing how to use positive thinking in leadership. The author provides many practical exercises on how to apply the methodology. I recommend this book for those interested in working on their leadership acumen.

V

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really can't over-edify this thing any more than just to mention that the principles and concepts were sound.
and apparently the system is a proven one.
so yeah.

[Tim Gillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful. Frames the type of leadership I aspire to.