Lead Where You Are: Cultivating Employee Engagement Where It Matters Most

by Ken Carnes, Ryan Carnes

There is an exciting evolution in organizational performance underway, with change and disruption impacting nearly every industry and organization. This evolution gives us a chance to reimagine organizational, team and personal performance and the impact each and every one of us can and will have on that performance in the future. From the board room to the break room and everywhere in between. In Lead Where You Are, Ken and Ryan Carnes establish the foundation to drive better organizational, team, and individual performance in this rapidly evolving and very demanding performance environment. They do this by highlighting and explaining the five core engagement factors for cultivating and sustaining individual and organizational engagement. Each core factor is discussed, examples provided and action items given to truly move the needle on employee engagement. Lead Where You Are was written to help you proactively lead and pursue your personal performance, not have it managed and reviewed on an annual basis. To help you see the possibilities for change everywhere in this environment of disruption, rather than letting obstacles and barriers inhibit performance, or simply waiting for change to happen and trying to react to it and manage it. To lead where you are is to find opportunities and ways to develop and cultivate real relationships in a world dominated by electronic communication, and where the art of the relationship is rapidly disappearing. It is finding a purpose in the work you do. Daily actions and activities that are purpose driven and not task directed and managed, are far more rewarding and motivating. And it is to lead with personal accountability, even when those above you or around you might be focused on finding and placing blame or lacking in personal accountability.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

84 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2020

Reviews

[Amanda Broadwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concice and clearly explained steps to leading where you are

Many times books for self-improvement spend too much time hyping up the book itself, or trying to engender support for the concept, that the reader is frustrated about not getting to the substance. I appreciated this book presumed I was already open to the concept and got right down to discussing concrete steps I could take. My perspective about work has changed, and though I would have liked additional examples of practical application, I am actually excited to go in and start working on these suggestions right away!

[A. Correia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a  brief and effective book that summarizes and provides details on how one can lead and that change can occur at all levels.  Some mayfind the accountability section helpful to assist staff in engaging in the process while reminding all that the purpose and why need to be discussed repeatedly. The tables were hard to read on an electronic version, though the zoom function does help. These may help with discussions. Not what I was expecting but worth the read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book outlines 5 key points of Leading Where You Are- Managing Change, Performance Evaluations, Relationship Building, Purpose, and Accountability. There’s tons of good content in here, and it’s an easy read for new leaders. There’s a couple items out of sync- for example, they say you can’t train and sustain accountability...and then they train you on how to be accountable. But overall, it’s a great intro to leadership book!

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short read about upping some workplace skills. Helpful re-framing that leadership qualities aren't, and shouldn't, be just reserved for leaders. Lots of ways of staying positive and working on growth regardless of position/status. Quite a few of the infographics were hard to read on ereader for how dark/dark background were used.

[Patricia Shank]

this is not my kind of reading material

[John]

Will start reading this soon, just won the book

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book was not what I expected based on the title. This is more about how you act and behave on the premise that having control over your own performance, accountability and actions will improve your situation and those around you. The authors acknowledge frequently that organizational cultural changes are slow and not going to be achievable with one person. Instead, the authors encourage you to focus on yourself and finding your purpose - why you do what you do. I realized that I have some work to do on my end before I can begin to even think about changing the engagement and culture of my team.