The Elements of Power: Lessons on Leadership and Influence - Softcover

Bacon Ph.D., Terry R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0814437281 ISBN 13: 9780814437285

Publisher: Amacom, 2011

Synopsis

Having been named one of the top thinkers on leadership in the world, author Terry Bacon uses his years of experience as the former CEO of a global consulting firm to share insights about power and leadership with up-and-coming influencers. In Elements of Power, he teaches readers how things like their own knowledge, expressiveness, history, character, network, and reputation can open the complex combination lock to true leadership and irresistible influence. Whether you’re interested in taking on a more substantial role in your professional or personal life, these tools already at your disposal are the key to achieving success. Applying the latest research on the nature of power all over the world, this invaluable guide shows readers how power works in organizations, how people use and lose power, the relationship between power and leadership, what makes famous people powerful, and how to lead and influence others more effectively. Complete with examinations of key business figures and world leaders and a handy self-assessment tool, Elements of Power offers an accessible and unprecedented pipeline to the many sources and types of internal and external power and provides insights on how to leverage each and how to exert the most important power of all: the power of will.

About this title

Book Description

What do a person’s knowledge, expressiveness, history, character, and attraction have in common? Or his or her role resources, information, network, and reputation? Each is a key to either personal or organizational power, and together they open the complex combination lock on the door of true leadership and irresistible influence.

The Elements of Power combines the latest research on the nature of power all over the world with a handy self-assessment and invaluable insight into:

· How power works in organizations

· How people use and lose power

· The relationship between power and leadership

· What makes famous people powerful—or what diminishes their power

· Sources of power and how to build each one

· Leading and influencing others more effectively

Complete with “Portraits in Power” examining key business figures and world leaders alike, the full effect is an accessible and unprecedented pipeline to the many sources and types of internal and external power, including the most valuable of all: the power of will.

From the Inside Flap

Power is the fuel that drives your ability to influence and lead. Throughout history, those skilled at wielding personal and organizational power have been able to lead and motivate others, change minds, shape and create movements, influence social trends, and harness others’ energies. In the business world, the most powerful leaders drive new initiatives, build high-performing teams, and guide their organizations toward the successful accomplishment of their missions. In fact, if you want to make a difference in any realm of life, you must have power—and the more powerful you are, the more influential you will be.

But “power” isn’t simply a matter of authority or position. Some managers fail to influence others effectively despite their leadership positions . . . while others who may have little official status seem to lead and inspire those around them effortlessly, and continually accomplish great things. What sources of power enable them to do this? And how can you build and use your own sources of power?

Based on groundbreaking research, The Elements of Power reveals where power comes from, how it works, and how you can tap into it to achieve your own personal and professional goals, with people of any age and in any part of the world. You’ll learn the difference between compliance and commitment, the foundations of agreement, and the different sources of power, including:

Your ability to access, organize, interpret, and disseminate information · The power of rhetoric and personal expressiveness · Your use of personal history, relationship, and trust · Interpersonal attractiveness and bonding based on your chemistry with others · How others perceive your character, depending on how you exemplify standards of behavior for your group · Your organizational role and status, and your command over resources · Whom you “know” within your network · How others judge your reputation

With revealing case stories, insightful examples, and practical tips and techniques you can use immediately to increase your own personal sources of power, this indispensable book will open your eyes to the myriad possibilities that already lie within your sphere of influence. Filled with dynamic strategies for leading and influencing all those around you, The Elements of Power is the guidebook you can bank on for leadership success.

TERRY R. BACON was the founder and CEO of Lore International Institute, a widely respected executive development firm recently acquired by Korn/Ferry International. He is now the Scholar in Residence in the Korn/Ferry Institute and is the author of many books including What People Want and Powerful Proposals.

Edition details

• Publisher: Amacom
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0814437281
• ISBN 13: 9780814437285
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320