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Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change
Learn what matters most in leading your team through change
When change is constant and accelerating, our success depends on embracing its potential for growth. Global executive Steve Vamos reveals how powerhouse tech companies like Xero, Microsoft, Apple and IBM thrive by enabling change, creativity and innovation. Inside, you’ll find practical tools and a playbook that will help you manage disruption and successfully align your people and resources with your goals.
From industry challenges to the AI revolution, Through Shifts and Shocks shares a pathway that leaders and teams can follow to navigate change and perform better together. As a leader, you need to understand how to balance being (who you are as a leader) and doing (how you lead through words and actions). Through Shifts and Shocks shares crucial leadership must-dos, engaging stories and surprising insights gleaned from the author’s experiences at the biggest tech organisations in the world.
Discover a framework that will help you and those you work with be better every
Develop the right mindset for change Be clear about your priorities and drive alignment Assess current performance, strategy and tactics with a diagnostic toolkit Make hard choices and have difficult conversations Create an environment of psychological safety that encourages your team to innovate and drive growth
When it comes to change, it is not enough to know why. You also need to know how. From real-world examples to practical exercises, this guidebook will show you how to make a vital difference in your team and organisation as you think, act and lead.
'A must-read, sharing inspired insights into what it takes to be a great leader of people and organisations, from one of the best’ —David Thodey AO
When change is constant and accelerating, our success depends on embracing its potential for growth. Global executive Steve Vamos reveals how powerhouse tech companies like Xero, Microsoft, Apple and IBM thrive by enabling change, creativity and innovation. Inside, you’ll find practical tools and a playbook that will help you manage disruption and successfully align your people and resources with your goals.
From industry challenges to the AI revolution, Through Shifts and Shocks shares a pathway that leaders and teams can follow to navigate change and perform better together. As a leader, you need to understand how to balance being (who you are as a leader) and doing (how you lead through words and actions). Through Shifts and Shocks shares crucial leadership must-dos, engaging stories and surprising insights gleaned from the author’s experiences at the biggest tech organisations in the world.
Discover a framework that will help you and those you work with be better every
Develop the right mindset for change Be clear about your priorities and drive alignment Assess current performance, strategy and tactics with a diagnostic toolkit Make hard choices and have difficult conversations Create an environment of psychological safety that encourages your team to innovate and drive growth
When it comes to change, it is not enough to know why. You also need to know how. From real-world examples to practical exercises, this guidebook will show you how to make a vital difference in your team and organisation as you think, act and lead.
'A must-read, sharing inspired insights into what it takes to be a great leader of people and organisations, from one of the best’ —David Thodey AO
- GenresBusiness
256 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2024
6 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 7, 2025
‘The fish can’t see the water in the tank’ is one of the sparingly used quotes shared in the book - and highlights the focus on becoming a master connector to successfully listen and lead those in your care. Steve’s book is a refreshing take on leadership with a human-centric ethos. He outlines practical ways of Being, Doing, and Thinking across his top ‘must do’s’ - kindly sharing a toolbox of frameworks, diagnostics, scorecards and questions that will equip leaders to adopt an adaptable mindset and approach. I’m most excited to try the team code tool and feedback speed dating. And also share this book with colleagues to inspire difficult conversations and making hard choices. Ideally on winners triangles. The level order planning also made me think how important it is for me to park my own love of generating ideas at times, to ensure focus and discipline take priority. Caring, connecting and enabling others - along with learning and listening - are consistent messages across the book. And I agree with his thoughts that our experiences shape us as leaders. His heartfelt story about his parents journey to Australia, and appreciation for oranges, highlights the value of humble and grateful role models. And his org chart made me happy - with a focus on social networks in a more cohesive bubble structure (in place of hierarchical branch structures). I’m hoping my new role in blue-tech will benefit from the learnings shared by Steve, and his vast array of experiences. If you’re looking for a book that shares practical operator focused ways of thinking, being, and doing - with the odd humble nod and thanks to those he learnt from and admired along his journey, then do enjoy a read. While the title may be about shifts and shocks, the reality is this is a book on how to be calm and grounded no matter what life throws at us.
November 24, 2024
A timely book with a timeless message
As the world faces more technological change than at any time in its existence, "Shift & Shocks" reinforces a fundamental leadership principle: "Change is more human than technology".
This is reinforced in the book's part framework, with three sections on the "Being of leadership" and five sections on the "Doing".
Each of the eight sections profoundly explores human capacities and capabilities.
The book is a beautiful mix of principles and practicality.
Vamos shares stories, statistics, and case studies from the real world, including examples of successes and failures.
If you are looking to navigate the next-generation workplace and its implications for multiple generations, this book provides the map and the GPS coordinates.
When facing the most significant technological change in the last 100 years – artificial intelligence, Vamos's book reminds us that becoming obsessed with the promise of technology is only half the impact without the human dimension.
As the world faces more technological change than at any time in its existence, "Shift & Shocks" reinforces a fundamental leadership principle: "Change is more human than technology".
This is reinforced in the book's part framework, with three sections on the "Being of leadership" and five sections on the "Doing".
Each of the eight sections profoundly explores human capacities and capabilities.
The book is a beautiful mix of principles and practicality.
Vamos shares stories, statistics, and case studies from the real world, including examples of successes and failures.
If you are looking to navigate the next-generation workplace and its implications for multiple generations, this book provides the map and the GPS coordinates.
When facing the most significant technological change in the last 100 years – artificial intelligence, Vamos's book reminds us that becoming obsessed with the promise of technology is only half the impact without the human dimension.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews