The Starfish Files: One Leader's Account of Insight and Inspiration Under Duress

No matter how bleak a situation may appear, there is always hope for those who are open to new ideas and approaches in their work as leaders!

The Starfish Files
One Leader’s Account of Insight and Inspiration Under Duress
Alex Hiam

Have you ever wished you could only somehow get your people to tackle their work with a more positive attitude, a little more initiative, a shared feeling of ownership, and personal responsibility for their success?

Here’s a one-of-a-kind book that will inspire leaders—like you—to overcome problems and threats, break through to higher performance levels, and generate new enthusiasm in employees.

A unique story about leadership that you will enjoy, learn from, and share with others.

The Starfish Files uses an easily read story about some notes on business management and a leader’s challenges to present a message that goes much deeper than good-sounding advice.

The book describes a low-ranking manager with a somewhat unprofitable firm who was struggling with performance challenges—and wondering how to produce improved results. During a seaside vacation, he became inspired and captured his thoughts in writing, thinking the material would be beneficial to other managers dealing with the same problems.

He gives the notes to a friend—a successful author and business professional—and asks him to take a serious look. More notes followed and The Starfish Files was created…a "lightly edited but completely authentic account" of the notes.

Today the low-ranking manager is associated with the senior executive’s office of one of the world’s largest and most successful organizations. And The Starfish Files reveal his uncanny knack for creating a high-performance work climate in which everyone has star potential and employees truly do accomplish amazing things.

Alex Hiam—a master storyteller with a lasting message

Author Alexander Hiam—one of the world’s most recognized management experts—acknowledges that the challenges leaders face can seem daunting. As a result, many in a position to lead do not choose to do as often as they could. He believes a caring leader who speaks encouraging words or articulates a vision to a group creates a ripple effect. His compelling book, The Starfish Files, will show you how to create small ripples that begin a process of growth and change for you and others around you.

The Starfish Files is destined to become a classic!

Whether your organization consists of a handful of leaders or thousands, The Starfish Files is a reminder you can create a climate that maximizes success simply by focusing on these key areas:

• Building a considerate workplace where people take pride in treating one another with kindness and respect
• Maximizing optimism and hopefulness in their groups by managing with "emotional intelligence"
• Inviting creativity, participative problem-solving, and creative idea generation from their staffs
• Keeping people informed by sharing the power of performance-related information with employees who—in the typical workplace—receive little useful feedback
• Strengthening employees through developmental assignments
• Having the courage to be the "eyes" of their teams, providing the compelling direction and goals that give their work context and meaning
• Assessing the changing needs of employees and adjusting their approach to help everyone develop and fulfill their unique "star" potential

Alex Hiam specializes in leadership, motivation, and conflict handling skills in the workplace. He is the author of numerous books, assessments, and training programs on these subjects. His consulting clients range from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits and government agencies. Alex developed the Strategic Leadership Type Indicator (page 44) line of assessment and training products for HRD Press, as well as the Dealing with Conflict Instrument (page 16). A previous book on leadership and morale, Motivational Management, was publi