Book of the Week: Lead or Get Off the Pot! : The Seven Secrets of a Self-Made Leader by: Pat Croce & Bill Lyon
A little bit about the author: Until I read this book I had no idea who he was, and when I told some friends about this book they were shocked that I didn't know Pat Croce. I suppose I'm not so versed in the athletic area. Pat Croce was president of the Philadelphia 76'ers for five years. His leadership style and positive attitude helped turn around a losing NBA team. Currently he is a motivational speaker and writer.
This book is filled with a variety of hints/tips for anyone. You don't have to be a manager to enjoy reading this book. Since he takes a practical approach this book I found it not focused to a particular audience. The author has a relaxed and funny style and is well suited for male readers since the author uses many sports analogies. Which makes incredible sense given his background.
I liked his leadership and management ideas. Leaders, he contends, should aim to serve their staff, not focus on being dictators. They should embrace change, articulate a vision, and ignite a "visible and visceral passion" in their subordinates. Good leaders must be able to delegate without evading responsibility, be willing to what they ask others to do and set a good example as a moral stronghold.
He also offered tips on listening, remembering names, motivating staff (by using bonuses in the form of electronics, nice idea!) and conducting job interviews. The author points out that taking the time to know your staff will pay off in the end. His incredible willingness to be social and using positive encouragement rubs off on those around him. He encourages managers and leaders to be social with co-workers. He says that by being held up in your office all day making little or no contact with your underlings is a recipe for disaster. When you "hide out" in your office you are sending the message "I don't care" which you may not really mean. He says take the every opportunity you can to make contact with staff. On the way to the restroom, coffee bar or copier greet those you pass and try to talk to at least one person, and the next time you pass by talk to another and another and so forth until you have talked to everyone at least once a week. (This may be a bit extreme but you get the point.) By learning their personalities you have the opportunity to understand the best ways to motivated and encourage them. When you build relationships with staff members you have invested in a partnership and the staff are more likely to want to work together.
He has some wonderful ideas and inspired me to become a better leader and manager.
This book is filled with a variety of hints/tips for anyone. You don't have to be a manager to enjoy reading this book. Since he takes a practical approach this book I found it not focused to a particular audience. The author has a relaxed and funny style and is well suited for male readers since the author uses many sports analogies. Which makes incredible sense given his background.
I liked his leadership and management ideas. Leaders, he contends, should aim to serve their staff, not focus on being dictators. They should embrace change, articulate a vision, and ignite a "visible and visceral passion" in their subordinates. Good leaders must be able to delegate without evading responsibility, be willing to what they ask others to do and set a good example as a moral stronghold.
He also offered tips on listening, remembering names, motivating staff (by using bonuses in the form of electronics, nice idea!) and conducting job interviews. The author points out that taking the time to know your staff will pay off in the end. His incredible willingness to be social and using positive encouragement rubs off on those around him. He encourages managers and leaders to be social with co-workers. He says that by being held up in your office all day making little or no contact with your underlings is a recipe for disaster. When you "hide out" in your office you are sending the message "I don't care" which you may not really mean. He says take the every opportunity you can to make contact with staff. On the way to the restroom, coffee bar or copier greet those you pass and try to talk to at least one person, and the next time you pass by talk to another and another and so forth until you have talked to everyone at least once a week. (This may be a bit extreme but you get the point.) By learning their personalities you have the opportunity to understand the best ways to motivated and encourage them. When you build relationships with staff members you have invested in a partnership and the staff are more likely to want to work together.
He has some wonderful ideas and inspired me to become a better leader and manager.
posted by Wild Librarian | 2:30 AM
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