The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations (©2011, Berrett-Koehler Publishers), by Craig and Patricia Neal and Cynthia Wold, offers a set of practices that will lead to creating an environment in which all voices are heard, profound exchanges take place, and transformative action results. Authentic engagement requires a genuine expression of thought and ideas and attentive listening. The book focuses on nine principles that the authors maintain lead to meaningful conversation and ultimately to action.
Is willpower overrated? According to the authors (Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler) of Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success (©2011, Business Plus), our willpower has surprisingly little to do with whether or not you succeed at changing our bad habits. The authors identify six sources of influence that are working against us—personal motivation and ability; social motivation and ability; and structural motivation and ability. Once you understand these, you can knowingly counteract.
In Reboot Your Life: Energize Your Career and Life by Taking a Break (©2011, Beaufort Books), authors Catherine Allen, Nancy Bearg, Rita Foley, and Jaye Smith explain what a sabbatical is, why everyone should take one, how it affects your life, and when it’s the right time to take a break.
The velocity of business drive by technological change is increasing exponentially. This increases velocity demands new leadership skills, ones that are very different from what was effective 20 years ago. The Velocity Manifest (©2011, Greenleaf Book Group Press), by Scott Klosoky, provides a guide to help leaders effectively steer their organizations through wrenching infrastructure and social changes. Throughout The Velocity Manifesto readers will learn:
• That the survival of their organization depends on continuously adapting and integrating appropriate new technologies, including everything from robust IT systems to social technologies;
• A planning strategy that will enable leaders to stay ahead of burgeoning technological trends, especially those that will significantly impact their organizations;
• An in-depth, actionable program for workforce integration;
• Essential educational tools for building technology bridges across generations to maximize performance, loyalty and satisfaction.