Step Up: Lead in Six Moments that Matter - Hardcover

Evans, Henry; Foster, Colm

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1118838289 ISBN 13: 9781118838280

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2014

Synopsis

No matter what your title or place on the organization chart, you have the potential to be a leader―or more precisely, the potential to exercise leadership in the moments that matter most. Leadership is not a job title or position, but rather an action. In certain moments and situations, anyone can rise to the occasion to act as a leader―gaining respect, confidence, and ultimately greater success in the organization. But how can you recognize these moments where leadership is required, and then know what to do?

Step Up explains six critical "leadership moments"―everyday instances when you have a choice to shine or let opportunity pass you by. Based on their own research and extensive client work, Evans and Foster identify six regularly occurring moments and help you understand how to act wisely and decisively when those moments arise, showing how to:

• Get Angry, Not Stupid
• Avoid Terminal Politeness
• Decide Already
• Act When You are the Problem
• Leverage Pessimism
• Reverse Momentum

Anyone can take advantage of opportunities to act as a leader when the time is right―and reap the rewards. Step Up is a guide to exercising leadership when it matters most, boosting your personal impact and effectiveness, and making a real difference.

About this title

Review:

Henry Evans Colm Foster

Q&A with Henry Evans and Colm Foster, authors of Step Up

What is a “leadership moment”?

These are moments when leadership is required in order to see a problem solved, opportunity seized, momentum changed, relationship(s) built, or when the intelligent expression of emotion is required to drive a desired result. Leadership moments are when there will be an “easy thing” to do or a “right thing” to do, and you choose the “right thing”, even though it may be hard to do so. Some of the moments are counter-intuitive and will contradict some of the prevailing wisdom about leadership.

What are common misconceptions about leadership?

That people who have the formal position of “leader” are good leaders and/or are always ready to lead. Another misconception, in our experience, is that people at all levels of organizations sometimes feel helpless and think that without a formal title they cannot lead.

Many books outline how to harness positive energy. Are negative outlooks—pessimism, skepticism, criticism—ever useful?

In short, yes. The emotional intelligence community, ourselves included, have taught that emotions such as anger and frustration should be banned from the workplace. We have now changed our view. In our research and work with clients, we observe that the intelligent use of emotions like anger can lead to better business outcomes and stronger relationships. Stupidity is a problem, but not always anger, if channeled productively. Pessimists are often misunderstood and underappreciated. In Step Up, we show how sometimes your pessimists are providing a counterbalance for unbridled optimism.

Are the six leadership moments important for both managers and non-managers? Can mastering how to act in the six moments help people advance in their careers?

Yes. Leaders must demonstrate these qualities, and we promote the use of the six moments as criteria for reward and promotion across teams. We also believe that if you are working for someone who does not possess these qualities, you should train up, or trade up (get a new boss). Lastly, when you find yourself in a moment when you and your team are experiencing a leadership void, our book is a road map for understanding how and when to demonstrate leadership in those same moments. You don’t need the title. You simply need to know how to recognize the moments when leadership is required, and of course, what to do when you are in one of those moments. If you demonstrate these qualities consistently, people are likely to view you in a new light, that of a leader.

What can readers of your first book, Winning with Accountability, expect with Step Up?

Winning with Accountability is a language-based system for driving better business results, and building better relationships through the language you use when making and requesting commitments. Step Up focuses on the six critical leadership behaviors required for leadership, regardless of your title or formal position. As with Winning with Accountability, you can expect more ideas that are easy to access, immediately applicable, and which naturally connect to your current business reality. In both books, we are action-focused, not theory-focused.

From the Back Cover:

PRAISE FOR STEP UP
"A useful, easy-to-digest roadmap for leading with clarity, compassion, and transparent communication. Step Up gives both tenured and new leaders fresh ideas and creative reminders that will propel them to new heights as they motivate and inspire those around them to meet and exceed their goals."
--Melissa Reiff, president and chief operating officer, The Container Store
"As Evans and Foster so wisely point out in Step Up, most often leadership is in the moment. Drawing on their considerable experience, Evans and Foster identify six critical opportunities to lead, and they offer practical and tangible ideas about how anyone can 'step up' and take ownership of these moments. This book artfully unravels many of the complexities and demystifies the actions needed to make something positive happen. Step Up is a valuable addition to the library of all leaders who want to make their teams and organizations more effective."
--Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors, TheLeadership Challenge
"Evans and Foster provide a catalyst for reflection as well as resources and tools for practice. I look forward to sharing StepUp with the leaders I work with as an internal executive coach.I know this will make a difference for them and the teams they lead."
--Bob Andrews, director, executive coaching, GapInc.
"Evans and Foster are strategy and leadership team experts. InStep Up, they share a secret weapon for developing and retaining top talent: six moments that develop leadership at all levels of an organization. I don't do theory. Step Up is easy to understand and apply for generating better business results."
--Nic Vu, senior vice president, retail, adidas group
"Evans and Foster's six moments offer a fresh perspective and caused me to think differently about the leadership challenges I face. I will use and recommend Step Up."
--Matthew E. Winter, president, Allstate PersonalLines

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1118838289
• ISBN 13: 9781118838280
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224