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Leadership: It Ain't Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis
Although leadership books and popular slogans such as, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” and, “You manage things but lead people,” can aid thinking, the ability to know how to think rather than what to think may be the leader’s greatest asset. There are literally hundreds of motivational leadership studies on the market that promise to reveal a new and innovative approach to leadership. But many of these books provide more hype than substance; they take a “fortune-cookie” approach by offering a checklist of old ideas repackaged under a new name, and cast very little fresh light on the problems the leader faces every day. At its core leadership is about understanding human nature, but understanding human nature is also an essential key to controlling it. The purpose of this book is to debate that which is often left unstated and thus forgotten, and to conduct a critical analysis of leadership principles while simultaneously reminding the reader of the obvious. The book differs from other books on the subject by taking an analytical rather than motivational tack that is meant to stir at least some controversy and incite the reader to be honest with himself or herself when attempting to establish a leadership approach that works with his or her team. As will be demonstrated, anecdotes and metaphors for success can backfire by making the reader feel underappreciated, or worse, insulted and manipulated. The book is therefore equally much about provoking the follower to think about how he or she may recognize and sabotage, if he or she chooses, manipulative leadership behavior. Leadership: It Ain’t Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit is a serious study of euphemistic leadership slogans and sayings, and the tendency that leaders have to cherry-pick historical accounts to justify their ideas.
100 Ways to Become a Better, Smarter, Prouder, Stronger Leader
Who becomes a leader? The leader is set apart from the rest; you are in your position because you have worked hard and are committed, and because you have certain qualities that prove helpful to the workers and the company. At least this is the way it is supposed to be. But in reality the people choose their leader regardless of his or her title. You don’t become a leader by placing a “supervisor” patch on your shirt; you become a leader by exercising a set of qualities that make others want to follow. Good leadership requires maintenance. It is not enough to tell your team what you want them to do. You must also follow up, give feedback, and give each member an opportunity to voice his or her concerns. To have a positive and lasting impact on the members of your team, you must respect the fact that people are different. This book is an easy reference that the leader can use every day to seek inspiration on a number of topics, including leading with integrity, communicating with clarity, establishing and maintaining vision, creating a winning team, delegating duties, and critiquing and evaluating team members.
We the People: New Socialism for a Modern World
Democratic socialism is a branch of politics that is built on certain core values, the first of which is the development of a society that openly embraces equality and social justice through powerful action. To retain vitality, a democratic nation must constantly press the frontier forward, and the first responsibility of a political leader is a desire to listen to the voices of the masses. In light of the fiery political debates since President Barack Obama took executive office in the United States, particularly with respect to social issues such as universal healthcare, affordable education, and the rights of workers to organize, this brief analysis sheds light on a subject that many Americans do not understand and even fear, or at least have failed to examine in depth. It defines our understanding of democratic socialism and also discusses what it means to the ordinary citizen when we say that we want to be free of government interference. It builds on the ideology of former prime minister of Sweden, Olof Palme, who many view as the epitome of social justice, and questions the extent to which his ideas have merit and can be implemented in modern American society.
Sweden: An Illustrated History
With its midnight sun and Gulf Stream climate, Sweden is a land of contradictions. It is home to petroglyphs dating to 9000 BCE, thriving high-tech industries, and the ubiquitous design chain IKEA. A comparatively peaceful and economically stable twentieth century secured its reputation as a great place to live, with a solid economy and generous welfare system. Emigration reversed itself--now more than ten percent of the country's nearly ten million residents were born abroad. When Sweden entered the EU in 1995, its borders became even easier for tourists and immigrants to cross. This short history is ideal for travelers, students, and those with an eye on the new Europe.
Confessions of a Published Author: 47 Truths About Traditional Publishing
You are an unpublished writer with a long and impressive background in your field of expertise, and you’ve got an idea for a great book. You write a proposal, and send it off to a publisher who has stated a need for this type of book. It seems like a perfect match. Three weeks later you receive a rejection letter: “Thanks for your interest in us. Unfortunately, your idea doesn’t meet our current needs.” You are puzzled. Or, you look through the advertisements in Writer’s Digest magazine, and find several publishing houses “now seeking new and established authors.” Having waited for an opportunity for years, you print the manuscript that has been gathering "dust" in your computer folder and rush it to the post office. Don’t! If it sounds too easy, it is. Or, you just landed your first book contract with a legitimate publisher. Instant fame, right? Wrong! Confessions of a Published Author: 47 Truths About What Can Go Right and Wrong When Selling Your Book to a Traditional Publisher, talks straight about the publishing experience, with focus on asking, “What if?” What if you don’t want to write your manuscript in the recommended format? What if you have no credentials or can’t state your qualifications for writing this book? What if you don't like the critique you're getting? What if you can wallpaper your office with rejection slips? What if you want more than the standard 10 percent royalties? A number of common issues are explored, such as what to include and what to leave out of your query letter; what matters and what doesn't, and what you must be careful with when signing the publishing agreement.
Going Indie: 25 Things You Should Know Before Self-Publishing Your Book
Self-publishing used to be the last resort when an author had exhausted all other channels. Self-publishing meant that your book wasn’t good enough for a traditional publisher. Even if you knew your sales would be virtually nil, you self-published because your vanity required it; you self-published so that you could say that you had published a book, even if it never sold a single copy. Since the e-book explosion, self-publishing no longer carries the stigma it did a few years ago; it is no longer considered equivalent to vanity publishing. If you choose to go independent, your luck is that self-publishing has become a whole lot easier in the last few years since the advent of the digital age. Self-publishing is no longer a last resort, but a conscious choice that comes with many advantages over traditional publishing. The technology available today has made it possible to self-publish in both electronic and paperback versions, even if you don’t have a penny to invest in the process. The electronic book market is growing, and publishers have traditionally paid lousy royalties on electronic books. Despite your lack of publishing experience, you might have a better chance making money if you self-publish rather than pursue a traditional publisher. But knowledge is power, and it is crucial to educate yourself on the process and be aware of the factors that might influence your decision. Going Indie: 25 Things You Should Know Before Self-Publishing Your Book, offers a number of tips that will raise your awareness of the benefits of self-publishing over traditional publishing.
