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Change Leader Lib/E: Learning to Do What Matters Most
MP3 CD Format We live in a challenging, complex, inter-connected and unpredictable world beset by a range of seemingly insoluble problems. But, says Michael Fullan—an internationally acclaimed authority on organizational change—we have an increasing understanding of how to tackle complex change. This involves developing a new kind of one who recognizes what is needed to bring about deep and lasting changes in living systems at all levels. These leaders need a deep understanding of what motivates us as human beings and how we tap into and influence other people's self-motivation. In his previous best-selling books The Six Secrets of Change, Leading in a Culture of Change, and Turnaround Leadership, Michael Fullan examined the concepts and processes of change. In Change Leader he turns his focus to the core practices of leadership that are so vital for leading in today's complex world. He reveals seven core practices for today's leaders, all of which appear to be deceptively simple but actually get to the essence of what differentiates a powerful leader from one who is merely • Practice Drives Theory • Be Resolute • Motivate the Masses • Collaborate to Compete • Learn Confidently • Know Your Impact • Sustain Simplexity Fullan argues that powerful leaders have built bedrocks of credibility, have learned how to identify the few things that matter most, and know how to leverage their skills in ways that benefit their entire organization. The author shows leaders how to avoid policies and strategies that focus on shallow and short-term goals and develop leadership skills for long-term success. With a wealth of illustrative examples from business, education, nonprofit, and government sectors Change Leader provides a much-needed leadership guide for today's turbulent climate.
Audio CD
First published July 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 12, 2020
Had to read this book for grad school. Some good information. Some chapters were very thoughtful and well written and they made me think a lot. Other chapters were more redundant and not interesting. Overall not terrible, but not terribly inspiring either.
July 18, 2017
I had to read this as part of my coursework in a supervision class. Not a difficult read, a bit repetitive at times, but easy to understand. I like that the author used concrete examples to illustrate some of the concepts (education examples, medical field examples, etc).
August 12, 2019
This book was assigned for one of my doctoral classes. It wasn't bad; I enjoyed reading it. But it really is a rather generic book about leadership. I didn't feel like there was any new information for me here, just relabeling of old ideas. It is not specific to educational organizations.
April 6, 2020
Like all of Michael Fullan's work, this book was easy to read. It is one those books, that as a school leader, you will return to from time to time to refresh your thinking on how you lead school improvement.
September 10, 2017
A good leader book is about how the leader helps people to change, organization, school or business by his or her passion for working with people.
July 30, 2018
Excellent read. Great information on how to effectively lead others when making change.
December 29, 2018
Read for a graduate program in leadership.
July 18, 2019
Had to read this book for one of my classes. It wasn’t fantastic but also not horrible. I felt it gave practical advice that will be useful in the future.
February 22, 2020
I have liked other Fullan work but found this full of odd paradoxes and didn’t find information like “use your brain”
To be particularly insightful
To be particularly insightful
May 31, 2022
The author has several books around the topic of change. Change is a hard thing for anyone, but this book helps the leader as he works with others through changes. Helpful.
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August 28, 2012We live in a challenging, complex, inter-connected and unpredictable world beset by a range of seemingly insoluble problems. But, says Michael Fullan—an internationally acclaimed authority on organizational change—we have an increasing understanding of how to tackle complex change. This involves developing a new kind of leader: one who recognizes what is needed to bring about deep and lasting changes in living systems at all levels. These leaders need a deep understanding of what motivates us as human beings and how we tap into and influence other people's self-motivation.
In his previous best-selling books The Six Secrets of Change, Leading in a Culture of Change, and Turnaround Leadership, Michael Fullan examined the concepts and processes of change. In Change Leader he turns his focus to the core practices of leadership that are so vital for leading in today's complex world. He reveals seven core practices for today's leaders, all of which appear to be deceptively simple but actually get to the essence of what differentiates a powerful leader from one who is merely competent:
Practice Drives Theory
Be Resolute
Motivate the Masses
Collaborate to Compete
Learn Confidently
Know Your Impact
Sustain Simplexity
Throughout the book Fullan argues that powerful leaders have built bedrocks of credibility, have learned how to identify the few things that matter most, and know how to leverage their skills in ways that benefit their entire organization. The author shows leaders how to avoid policies and strategies that focus on shallow and short-term goals and develop leadership skills for long-term success.
With a wealth of illustrative examples from business, education, nonprofit, and government sectors Change Leader provides a much-needed leadership guide for today's turbulent climate.
In his previous best-selling books The Six Secrets of Change, Leading in a Culture of Change, and Turnaround Leadership, Michael Fullan examined the concepts and processes of change. In Change Leader he turns his focus to the core practices of leadership that are so vital for leading in today's complex world. He reveals seven core practices for today's leaders, all of which appear to be deceptively simple but actually get to the essence of what differentiates a powerful leader from one who is merely competent:
Practice Drives Theory
Be Resolute
Motivate the Masses
Collaborate to Compete
Learn Confidently
Know Your Impact
Sustain Simplexity
Throughout the book Fullan argues that powerful leaders have built bedrocks of credibility, have learned how to identify the few things that matter most, and know how to leverage their skills in ways that benefit their entire organization. The author shows leaders how to avoid policies and strategies that focus on shallow and short-term goals and develop leadership skills for long-term success.
With a wealth of illustrative examples from business, education, nonprofit, and government sectors Change Leader provides a much-needed leadership guide for today's turbulent climate.
December 3, 2012
I approached this book skeptically, wondering what light it could shed on my current role as an administrator at a college; however, years ago I had liked Fullan's previous What's Worth Fighting For in your School, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did. While I won't necessarily see myself using some of the language he does, e.g., "simplexity" or "impressive empathy," I very much appreciated his ability to put into words some of what I had observed during a stressful period of change at my institution. Being able to name something helped me understand it, and following the examples he gave of how other institutions were able, at least to some extent, resolve conflict and successfully manage change, made me a little more optimistic and gave me some practical frameworks for viewing complex situations.
February 3, 2015
Fullan's ideas are not unique, but he puts them together in a form that is readily teachable, which is an accomplishment. Leadership is an abstract idea, so the more concrete instructional books are, the better. His use of pop culture and specific school/district examples worked well to illustrate his ideas.
Parts of the book feel repetitive, but that's poor editing. I also felt like he had a hard time establishing and maintaining his voice - a researcher who drops a curse word every now and again. I don't oppose the cursing in a Puritanical sense, just in the sense that it feels somewhat forced and unnatural, given the research basis for the book and given the fact that it seems randomly incorporated vs. part of a unified effort to craft a voice.
Overall, this book is a quick read that does convey important information about leadership and implementing change.
Parts of the book feel repetitive, but that's poor editing. I also felt like he had a hard time establishing and maintaining his voice - a researcher who drops a curse word every now and again. I don't oppose the cursing in a Puritanical sense, just in the sense that it feels somewhat forced and unnatural, given the research basis for the book and given the fact that it seems randomly incorporated vs. part of a unified effort to craft a voice.
Overall, this book is a quick read that does convey important information about leadership and implementing change.
July 31, 2012
I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read and straight forward. Fullan unpacked a lot of the dense and nonsense in leadership literature. He provided a common sense approach of change leadership that centered around experience and growth with theory playing a secondary role to guide the leader to improve practice.
January 13, 2014
Fullan practices what he preaches by approaching leadership with simplexity. With only seven key principles that are profoundly simple and insightful, Fullan advises the reading leader to become introspective and learn. The book is easy to read, yet rich with information. The insights and advice will serve any learning leader well.
July 20, 2012
A very engaging read with a consistent message on how to develop yourself into an expert leader of change. Varied examples from across the western world, though education is the primary focus. Definitely worth a look.
July 30, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. An excellent read for the aspiring leader in today's changing business environment. As a future school administrator, the lessons are useful in the world of education as well, and the other references academic institutions often throughout the book.
November 1, 2013
This is an easy to read practical book about what change leaders need to do to lead change in our ever more complex world. Fullan combines some theory with seven simple practices that will support a leader's effort to lead and implement change.
May 7, 2012
Not worth the read.
June 19, 2013
Will share this with the managers on my team
January 28, 2014
The book is ok, not the greatest, but a nice read. It has some good ideas about simplicity and collaboration. I really enjoyed the Canadian education system examples.
August 15, 2015
Just reinforced a few beliefs I already had. I didn't have any major take-aways that will stick with me from this one.
April 22, 2016
There are a lot of easy to use but powerful principles of leading an organization in this book. It was a great addition to my leadership class and was enjoyable to read.
March 28, 2012
Fullan is the Master--put him on the Mt. Rushmore of Leadership.
November 24, 2013
I really enjoyed. I always refer to it every once in awhile at work.
April 22, 2017
As someone who is looked at as a change leader in my organization, I was very excited about listening to a book on what it takes to be a change leader. I had hoped for a book full of stories and excitement, instead this was a book of theory with very little story line.
Any time I review a book I do like to point out the highlights first. The research is very well done. The author has done a fantastic job referencing many great books and papers on the strategy of change management. These citations have given me a great number of books to add to my reading list. Unfortunately for me that is pretty much where it ends for me.
This book reads (or in my case the audio version sounds) very much like how someone would write a college thesis. The author never creates an emotional connection by sharing relevant stories of "real people" who have successfully driven change. There are a few stories, but again they are very sterile and more of a side bar rather than a feature. Here's a topic that excites some and scares many - Change, but the book failed to do that for me. I cannot argue with the author's review of the 7 key elements of a change leader as it is based in sound research, but I simply could not "get into" the book.
Any time I review a book I do like to point out the highlights first. The research is very well done. The author has done a fantastic job referencing many great books and papers on the strategy of change management. These citations have given me a great number of books to add to my reading list. Unfortunately for me that is pretty much where it ends for me.
This book reads (or in my case the audio version sounds) very much like how someone would write a college thesis. The author never creates an emotional connection by sharing relevant stories of "real people" who have successfully driven change. There are a few stories, but again they are very sterile and more of a side bar rather than a feature. Here's a topic that excites some and scares many - Change, but the book failed to do that for me. I cannot argue with the author's review of the 7 key elements of a change leader as it is based in sound research, but I simply could not "get into" the book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews