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Coherence: The Secret Science of Brilliant Leadership
Every business leader faces innumerable challenges every working day, each one taking their toll on precious energy levels and the ability to respond and react positively in a commercial environment. Coherence recognizes the key factors that take their toll on a leader's effectiveness and ability to lead, and provides the reader with unique solutions designed to improve physiological factors that impact on core competencies.
Problems today cannot be solved with yesterday's level of thinking. CEOs fail and leaders burn out because our thinking has not sped up or powered up. The author not only recognizes that leaders have the potential for limitless processing power, but shows them how to access it, taking them back to fundamentals and, quite literally, to the heart of who we are and how we function successfully. By showing leaders how to be 'younger, smarter, healthier and happier' Coherence gives every decision maker the power to make influential decisions under pressure and achieve sustainable success at every level.
Problems today cannot be solved with yesterday's level of thinking. CEOs fail and leaders burn out because our thinking has not sped up or powered up. The author not only recognizes that leaders have the potential for limitless processing power, but shows them how to access it, taking them back to fundamentals and, quite literally, to the heart of who we are and how we function successfully. By showing leaders how to be 'younger, smarter, healthier and happier' Coherence gives every decision maker the power to make influential decisions under pressure and achieve sustainable success at every level.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
84 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Alan Watkins
30 books48 followers"Alan Watkins is recognized as an international expert on leadership and human performance. He has a broad mix of commercial, academic, scientific and technological abilities. Over the past 18 years he has been a coach to many of Europe’s top business leaders and has helped companies treble share price, enter the FTSE 100, salvage difficult turnarounds and establish market leadership in their industry. He has written two books and has three more coming out this year. He advised the GB Olympic squad prior to London 2012 and is continuing to work with them leading up to Rio in 2016. He has a three degrees and is a neuroscientist by background."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 15, 2020
Paradigm shifting book
I have been reading all kinds of self development books for over 30 years...always focusing on the intellect and never understanding those people who advise to focus on the heart...
It just never made sense to me.
But in this book it finally clicked !
The idea of changing ones emotions via changing one’s heartbeat via breathing is something i heard of but never understood until i read this book.
Note :
I skipped all the talk about leadership. Dont let the title fool you....this is a book for any1 who wants to improve themselves.
I have been reading all kinds of self development books for over 30 years...always focusing on the intellect and never understanding those people who advise to focus on the heart...
It just never made sense to me.
But in this book it finally clicked !
The idea of changing ones emotions via changing one’s heartbeat via breathing is something i heard of but never understood until i read this book.
Note :
I skipped all the talk about leadership. Dont let the title fool you....this is a book for any1 who wants to improve themselves.
November 26, 2020
I picked up this book to read as I was introduced to Ken Wilber's work on integral theory and wanted to know more about how this can be applied at work and business.
The book did help me answer the questions and shared some excellent tools to help me navigate better through life and work.
Key takeaways for me are
1. There are multiple lines of intelligence to be a truly enlighten leader and most of them are internal to our personal self that is not seen. eg Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Maturity, Values
External: Behavior, Network and relationships
2. I found the idea of energy management instead of time management the biggest aha moment on how to be a better leader, and a reminder that this day and age our physical wellbeing is important if we want to be able to make the right decisions. I really loved the tip to breath steadily in and out on an even count. I started using that when I feel anxious and it is simple and helpful
2. Mastering Positive Emotions and using time in between what we are doing eg ( waiting in line, walking to next meeting) to feel positive emotions as a practise to strengthen these emotions and call them when required.
3. Cognitive intelligence is also hampered by our emotions hence we need to gain control and SHIFT our emotions
4. Maturity - The maturity of the human psychological levels was what really drew me in as It was 1 of the reasons I started reading this, I love the examples on how the different levels worked,though I would like to know what practices could be in place to go to the next level
Overall enjoyed the book and a great reminder that profits are not the only thing. It is difficult to change the perception or not get suck into it, but with conscious effort I hope that I can be the change I want to see
The book did help me answer the questions and shared some excellent tools to help me navigate better through life and work.
Key takeaways for me are
1. There are multiple lines of intelligence to be a truly enlighten leader and most of them are internal to our personal self that is not seen. eg Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Maturity, Values
External: Behavior, Network and relationships
2. I found the idea of energy management instead of time management the biggest aha moment on how to be a better leader, and a reminder that this day and age our physical wellbeing is important if we want to be able to make the right decisions. I really loved the tip to breath steadily in and out on an even count. I started using that when I feel anxious and it is simple and helpful
2. Mastering Positive Emotions and using time in between what we are doing eg ( waiting in line, walking to next meeting) to feel positive emotions as a practise to strengthen these emotions and call them when required.
3. Cognitive intelligence is also hampered by our emotions hence we need to gain control and SHIFT our emotions
4. Maturity - The maturity of the human psychological levels was what really drew me in as It was 1 of the reasons I started reading this, I love the examples on how the different levels worked,though I would like to know what practices could be in place to go to the next level
Overall enjoyed the book and a great reminder that profits are not the only thing. It is difficult to change the perception or not get suck into it, but with conscious effort I hope that I can be the change I want to see
March 21, 2017
I've just finished this book, having found some relief in the fact that after 84%, the rest is just references and the index. I need to pause and review my highlights to formulate my final opinion, but my overall impression is one of so many good ideas, buried under so much management gumph.
It's such a pity that this much of Watkins' book is painstakingly laid out for the corporate executive. At its core, it has some pretty profound things to say about mindfulness, performance, relationships, team interactions and leadership. I think if he tried to create a more distilled version that was devoid of all the nods to the corporate world, I would get more out of it.
Still, despite having left the corporate world behind, wading through the muddy waters was well worth it, as I found some really useful ideas, and even some really practical tips and exercises to try. I may revisit this review after a bit of time to digest, but I would definitely put this book in the difficult but rewarding category.
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Having gone back and re-read my copious Kindle highlights, I really must reiterate that are some brilliant ideas in this book. It's also worth mentioning that much of what Watkins puts forward, he backs with references to real research. I think I would recommend the first half of this book, the part that focuses on physiology, psychology, performance and their interplay, to anyone. The second half that focuses more on team dynamics and leadership, I'd leave to the corporate execs.
It's such a pity that this much of Watkins' book is painstakingly laid out for the corporate executive. At its core, it has some pretty profound things to say about mindfulness, performance, relationships, team interactions and leadership. I think if he tried to create a more distilled version that was devoid of all the nods to the corporate world, I would get more out of it.
Still, despite having left the corporate world behind, wading through the muddy waters was well worth it, as I found some really useful ideas, and even some really practical tips and exercises to try. I may revisit this review after a bit of time to digest, but I would definitely put this book in the difficult but rewarding category.
------
Having gone back and re-read my copious Kindle highlights, I really must reiterate that are some brilliant ideas in this book. It's also worth mentioning that much of what Watkins puts forward, he backs with references to real research. I think I would recommend the first half of this book, the part that focuses on physiology, psychology, performance and their interplay, to anyone. The second half that focuses more on team dynamics and leadership, I'd leave to the corporate execs.
April 16, 2014
Coherence
The Secret Science of Brilliant Leadership
Alan Watkins
Kogan Page
Why do people underperform? Whether on the sporting field or in business, people fail to reach their potential. Watkins unlocks the key to why this occurs.
He discusses enlightened leadership, allows a leader to tap into his potential through the aligning of their physiology, emotions, feelings, thoughts, behaviours and relationships.
The book looks at finding the balance with time management and energy management. He encourages not more time spent on activities, but the investing of my energy into our teams and organisations.
Coherence outlines how to be healthier, happier, and smarter, through finding balance. This in turns leads to being successful and influential in life and business.
The book is very detailed and has research to support his arguments. This means that it is not an easy read, and will take some effort to implement Watkins ideas.
The Secret Science of Brilliant Leadership
Alan Watkins
Kogan Page
Why do people underperform? Whether on the sporting field or in business, people fail to reach their potential. Watkins unlocks the key to why this occurs.
He discusses enlightened leadership, allows a leader to tap into his potential through the aligning of their physiology, emotions, feelings, thoughts, behaviours and relationships.
The book looks at finding the balance with time management and energy management. He encourages not more time spent on activities, but the investing of my energy into our teams and organisations.
Coherence outlines how to be healthier, happier, and smarter, through finding balance. This in turns leads to being successful and influential in life and business.
The book is very detailed and has research to support his arguments. This means that it is not an easy read, and will take some effort to implement Watkins ideas.
March 26, 2017
One of my all time favorite non-fiction books. ^^
October 28, 2022
I saw Alan Watkins' TED talks on YouTube and found them very interesting, and a lot of what he was saying reallu resonated with me. So I picked up this book, thinking to myself that he must go into great detail in writing and provide lots of specifics and guidance. I guess I set my expectations too high, because I was underwhelmed and disappointed. There was not a lot more here than you can get from watching his YouTube videos.
May 14, 2020
This is a wonderful book that comes from a PHd/MD who is an expert in both the psychological and physiological elements of what drives us to decide the way we do. Dr. Watkins not only delivers the research to back up his claims, but he gives the road map to implementation. Find read.
December 9, 2018
A most interesting perspective on self, others and reality. Can be read as self help as well as team development. Good references.
April 20, 2019
Needs somebody to be thankful to. However, practical solutions have helped.
August 20, 2021
Management is about doing, whereas leadership is more about being.
June 14, 2014
Lots of woo woo in this new agey book. Pleading to authority, tons of name dropping, even a very thorough and comprehensive references sections. Very little, if any, science/research to back up the claims. Some terrible errors - like that the heart's magnetic/electrical field can influence things 50 feet away from the body it's encased in with no backing of any peer reviewed work on such a claim. For a doctor to claim such is strange indeed. Don't recommend this book at all - it simply adds to the Chopra style new age nonsense out there.
March 11, 2017
A short review. A lot of the information in this book kind of buzzed passed me as it's designed for those who wish to exude leadership in business. However, the sections on breathing techniques, emotional mastery, and how to listen were very worthwhile. I thought the book was a bit long in the tooth but overall I'm glad I read it.
June 23, 2014
The book has good content. But one has to labour through to complete. Wish it were a bit more exciting to read. Overall a boring book which teaches you few fundamentals that might potentially alter your lifestyle.
July 31, 2015
Was excited at first but the book dragged on. Some very interesting ideas and reminders about the power leaders have to influence those around them. The second half seemed like he was trying to sell you on his ideas so you would retain his consulting services.
February 20, 2016
Loved this book.
Mix of psychology, physiology and management/leadership.
Some great insights and practical recommendations.
Probably my best book of its type in 2015.
Mix of psychology, physiology and management/leadership.
Some great insights and practical recommendations.
Probably my best book of its type in 2015.
February 27, 2018
One of my favorite books of all time. Takes the conversation of performance to a physiological level, directing us to manage our energy rather than our time.
While the book builds from physiology through other lines of development which ultimately lead to impact, the bulk of the book explains why coherence (“the biological underpinning of what elite performers call ‘flow state’”)is the answer.
Have read this book multiple times, and it inspired me to get certified in HRV training!
While the book builds from physiology through other lines of development which ultimately lead to impact, the bulk of the book explains why coherence (“the biological underpinning of what elite performers call ‘flow state’”)is the answer.
Have read this book multiple times, and it inspired me to get certified in HRV training!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews