At work, we often become hostage to rigid hierarchy. But in recent years, it has become increasingly clear: formal authority does not allow to reach the maximum. Leadership without authority and flexible partnerships are coming to the fore.
Keith Ferrazzi, author of the bestseller “Never Eat Alone,” talks about the new rules of the game. His book is the result of years of executive research and 100+ interviews with top executives.
Never Eat Alone
Under the cover are business stories, helpful exercises, and tips.
All so you can build strong teams and lead others – regardless of position.
Collaborative Exaltation
Absolute interdependence is one of the main characteristics of the new world. It’s time to scrap attitudes like “It’s not my responsibility” or “He’s not my subordinate. Much more effective is another format of the working relationship: co-empowerment.
Collaborative elevation is an approach to solving problems together. A superpower that helps you do outstanding things.
Scholars have investigated these kinds of connections–from Hewlett and Packard to Lennon and McCartney–and have suggested: they are rooted deep in human nature. We have an innate understanding that we achieve more in collaboration than we do alone.
5 × 5 × 5
One of the rules of co-creation is, “Build deeper, more meaningful partnerships.” And here’s an exercise that will refresh collaboration on any team.
One participant explains a problem for 5 minutes. For the next 5 minutes, team members ask questions to dig deeper into the case. And in the last 5 minutes, everyone takes turns giving the most direct and frank opinions possible. Finally, whoever got the feedback thanks everyone for their ideas and frankness.
There is magic in exercises like these. They build and strengthen group cohesion because they show that all participants are open to new possibilities.
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One of the biggest obstacles to self-empowerment is the desire to always be right. Getting rid of it is not easy: we have been taught since childhood to stand up for our views. But think back to family life. The words “I might actually be wrong” work wonders. They mean you care more about your significant other than proving you’re right.
Try using these same words at work.
Think about when it’s time to stop insisting you’re right. Accept that you may be wrong. If at some point it proves true, then you have learned something. And that’s a reason to rejoice.
Bundles of generosity
To prepare the other person for co-empowerment, think about how you can be of service to him. Try to learn as much as you can about him or her. And then put together “5 Generosity Packets”-suggestions that can make a real difference.
Learn to serve and share. These ideas are like a double helix of DNA, with each strand supporting and reinforcing the other.
Here’s an example: at a meeting with a potential investor, the author came prepared to include him in his network of professional contacts. He also found out in advance that he had student children and collected information about internships. In addition, in the course of the conversation it turned out that the person he was talking to had difficulties with his divorce. So there was another opportunity to serve him – to offer the services of a good psychologist.
What else?
Real stories. About managers who consider each other competitors. The superstar, which worsens the atmosphere in the team. A young professional who has a lot of ideas to improve the quality of work. You will learn about people from different industries and see what problems they were able to solve with the help of joint elevation.
“A great guide to today’s work environment, unusual and unpredictable. Memorize the rules in this book and no storms or changes in the business world will catch you off guard,” says Adam Grant, Wharton School of Business professor and bestselling author of “Think Again,” about the book.
There’s a
lot more in the book
:
- Who’s on your team
- Why look for the “spark of passion”
- What makes a conversation meaningful
- A cautionary tale, or keep your gas tank full
- How to praise properly
- 6 “mortal” excuses
- A relationship action plan
- How to find the gold in gossip
…352 pages of uplifting and rewarding reading.
“It’s not in my job description,” “He’s too complicated,” “They won’t listen to me anyway.” It may seem that leading others is not in your power. Keith Ferrazzi is convinced: It’s not like that. It is you who decide whether you want to build successful relationships with colleagues, managers, partners.
Based on the book “Never Manage Alone
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Cover of the post – freepik.com
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The post “Who’s the Boss? I’m the boss!” How to Become a Leader Regardless of Position appeared first on Business.