Creating a Culture of Valued Leadership: Engaging and Retaining Talented People in Your Organization

You are the leader of the organization called “You.”

This book is about you and the organizations where you contribute your time and talent. It explores a simple, impactful leadership concept along with specific tactics you can use to influence your organizations, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, small or large, to become cultures of valued leadership.

“Life is far too short to allow our valuable professional and volunteer time to be spent in organizational environments where we do not ‘get to play’... to contribute leadership.”

“Organizations create opportunities to positively advance by, first, finding ways to listen and learn. They, then, continue to positively progress by finding ways to teach and coach. Each of us creates opportunities to contribute valued leadership by doing those same things, in that order.”

“When metrics dominate organizational conversations, purpose becomes background noise and opportunities are missed. Purpose, not metrics, inspires people to deliver valued leadership.”

Michael Gerken was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1946. He began his career in the nancial services industry in 1968 after graduating with a business degree from the University of Missouri. He obtained his MBA in Organizational Behavior from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1971. He received a Certified Financial Planner Designation in 1979. A significant portion of Mike’s 45-year career focused on the organizational development of his firm and the professional development of the people in that organization. He continues to be engaged in leadership activities in civic and not-for-profit organizations. Mike enjoys being a student of his life experiences, his children’s and grandchildren’s commentary, and the fascinating ways that people make things happen.