How to lead : what you actually need to do to manage, lead and succeed

328 Pages·2009·2.72 MB·English

by  Jo Owen

Jo owEN practices what he preaches as a How To Lead demystifies leadership. It sets
international bestseller
leader. He is one of the founders of Teach out the skills and behaviours that emerging
First, now a top ten graduate recruiter leaders need, and shows how you can
in the UK, and of three other charities develop and display them in yourself.
what you actually need to do
in education and re-offending. He has
built a business in Japan, was a partner at Some of these skills won’t raise any
to manage, lead and succeed H
Accenture and has worked with over 100 eyebrows – motivating people, running
How To
O
of the world’s best (and a few of the worst) projects, building networks, selling ideas,
organisations on our planet. W influencing people – but you might not
There has been a long search for the alchemy of leadership; we all
LE AD
know all the secrets as to how to do them
want to find the elusive pixie dust that we can sprinkle on ourselves to
He is a top corporate coach, and a speaker exceptionally well.
turn us into glittering leaders. Few of us, however, are likely to become T
on leadership, global teams and change.
the ideal mix of Nelson Mandela and Lord Nelson. Instead we need O
His other books include the best selling Other essential skills and behaviours
something simple and practical.

How to Manage, Power at Work and Tribal might surprise you, such as giving informal
L
Business School. He can be contacted at: feedback, evaluating people, managing
How to Lead is based on original research into over 70 of the world’s E
[email protected] upwards and learning to be lucky.
best, and a few of the world’s worst, organisations. It cuts through all A
the daunting hero talk and shows you, in real terms, how to develop the
D
'A very practical approach to leadership –
skills and behaviours to succeed as a leader.
2nd edition
this book is very readable and relevant to
a broad cross-section of leaders. Jo's
With new sections on hiring and firing, dealing with the awkward squad
practical guide will be very useful for
and coaching for success, this second edition is your ultimate guide on
J anyone keen to develop leadership skills
how to lead and succeed. o
at whatever level.’
o
w David Gregson, Chairman,
‘A rare gem of a book. Highly recommended’ e Phoenix Private Equity
n
John Hempsey, CEo, Moneygram International
‘The book is entertaining and easy to read
‘Wonderfully clear, engaging, detailed and practical’
but with the ability to make everyone
Professor Nigel Nicholson, London Business School
pause, ponder and think on.’
‘Useful for anyone keen to develop leadership skills at whatever level’
Nick Kitchen,
David Gregson, Chairman, Phoenix Private Equity
VP Human Resources, Unilever
‘…has the ability to make everyone pause, ponder and think on’
Nick Kitchen, VP Human Resources, Unilever ‘How great to have a book that does
not make leadership like climbing Mt
Impossible, but brings it to within the
£12.99 compass of everyday achievement. A
wonderfully clear, engaging, detailed and
BUSINESS
practical book.’
Prof Nigel Nicholson,
jo owen London Business School;
author of Managing the Human Animal
Visit us on the web www.pearson-books.com
CVR_OWEN1505_02_SE_CVR.indd 1 10/2/09 14:58:56
A01_OWEN1505_02_SE_FM.QXD:QXD 28/1/09 08:42 Page i
How to Lead
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Books that make you better
Books that make you better – that make you bebetter, dobetter,
feelbetter. Whether you want to upgrade your personal skills or
changeyourjob,whether you want to improve your managerial
style, become a more powerful communicator, or be stimulated
and inspired as you work.
Prentice Hall Businessisleadingthefieldwithanewbreedof
skills,careers and development books. Books that are a cut
abovethemainstream–intopic,contentanddelivery – with an
edgeand verve that will make you better, with less effort.
Booksthatareassharpandsmartasyouare.
Prentice Hall Business.
We work harder – so you don’t have to.
Formoredetailsonproducts,andtocontactus,visit
www.pearsoned.co.uk
A01_OWEN1505_02_SE_FM.QXD:QXD 28/1/09 08:42 Page iii
How to
Lead
Whatyouactuallyneedtodoto
manage,leadandsucceed
2ndedition
Jo Owen
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PEARSONEDUCATIONLIMITED
EdinburghGate
HarlowCM202JE
Tel:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
Website:www.pearsoned.co.uk
FirstpublishedinGreatBritainin2005
Secondedition2009
©JoOwen2005,2009
TherightofJoOwentobeidentifiedasauthorofthisworkhasbeenasserted
byhiminaccordancewiththeCopyright,DesignsandPatentsAct1988.
ISBN:978-0-273-72150-5
BritishLibraryCataloguing-in-PublicationData
AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Owen,Jo.
Howtolead:whatyouactuallyneedtodotomanage,leadandsucceed/JoOwe.--
2nded.
p.cm.
Includesindex.
ISBN978-0-273-72150-5(pbk.)
1. Leadership.2. Management. I.Title.
HD57.7.O9462009
658.4'092--dc22
2008053843
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedina
retrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,
mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withouteitherthepriorwritten
permissionofthepublisheroralicencepermittingrestrictedcopyinginthe
UnitedKingdomissuedbytheCopyrightLicensingAgencyLtd,SaffronHouse,
6–10KirbyStreet,LondonEC1N8TS.Thisbookmaynotbelent,resold,hired
outorotherwisedisposedofbywayoftradeinanyformofbindingorcoverother
thanthatinwhichitispublished,withoutthepriorconsentofthePublishers.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
13 12 11 10 09
TencartoonillustrationsbyRogerBealeandfivebyLaserwords
Typesetin10/14Plantinby30
PrintedbyAshfordColourPressLtd,Gosport
Thepublisher’spolicyistousepapermanufacturedfromsustainableforests.
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FortheleadersofthefutureinTeachFirstandbeyond
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Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Leadershipskillsindex xii
Introduction xv
Part1 Thefoundationsofleadership 1
1 Focusingonpeople 3
2 Beingpositive 29
3 Beingprofessional 61
Part2 Thepracticeofleadership 87
4 Leadingfromthemiddle 89
5 Focusingonpeople 97
6 Beingpositive 135
7 Beingprofessional 175
Part3 Masteringleadership 201
8 Leadingfromthetop 203
9 Focusingonpeople 211
10 Beingpositive 233
11 Beingprofessional 257
Part4 Theleadershipjourney 281
12 Theleadershipjourneyandthe
three-and-a-halfPsofleadership 283
Furtherreading 295
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Acknowledgements
Creating this book has been a personal journey of discovery,in the
course of which I have met many old and new guides to help me
alongtheway.Iwouldnothaveevenstartedthejourneywithoutthe
inspirationofthestaffandparticipantsofTeachFirst:iftheyarethe
leadersofthefuture,ourfutureisingoodhands.Sinceitscreation
six years ago,Teach First has become one of the top ten graduate
recruitersintheUK:agreatexampleofleadershipinaction.Ihope
this book helps all the Teach First participants on their journeys
towards leadership. I would not have had the courage to start the
bookwithoutthegentlesupportofmyagent,FrancesKelly,andof
RichardStaggandCarolineJordanofPearson.
In the course of researching How to Lead I have drawn on the time
and support of many people. Monitor Group produced some
refreshingly practical research forTeach First which is used in the
book. I spent many hours interviewing on video a range of out-
standing leaders in the public, private and voluntary sectors. My
thankstothefollowingforgivingboththeirtimeandtheirveryprac-
tical insights: Baroness Amos, Paola Arbour, Alastair Ballantyne,
Prof. David Begg, Sonia Blandford, Graham Brady MP, Dominic
Casserly,HumphreyCobbold,SteveCrawshaw,DavidGold,David
Gregson,Des Gunawardene,David Hanson,John Hempsey,Mar-
tina King, Nick Kitchen, Max Landsberg, Penny Lawrence, John
May,Dame Judith Mayhew,David Morley,Jeremy Newsum,Prof.
Nigel Nicholson, Dame Mary Richardson, Anthony Salz, Rajeev
Singh-Molares,RalphTabberrerandPhilWillisMP.