Contents
Chapter 1—Why Leadership Matters
Leading the Brightest of the Bright
The Leader’s Role—Influencing Mission, Vision, and Values
Are Leaders Born or Are They Built?
Effective Leaders Must Be Humble
Chapter 2—Self-Knowledge: The Inner Accelerator
Characteristics of Good Leaders
Building Leadership Ability for Better Effectiveness
Build on Strengths or Improve Your Weaknesses?
Self-Knowledge Through Interaction With Others
The Undeniable Link: Lifelong Self-Learning and Leadership
Self-Knowledge for a Fulfilled Life
Chapter 3—Trust: The Leadership Imperative
Trust Is a Competitive Advantage Inside and Out
A Healthy Meeting Among Toxic Ones
Lessons From Consulting Experiences
Chapter 4—Critical Thinking: Creating Your Future
Critical Thinking Applied: Phil Holthouse
Learning to Think Critically—Like a Leader
Chapter 5—Preparation: Ready for Seizing Opportunity
Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
Developing Your Leadership Skills
Laying the Groundwork by Seeking Input From Others
Preparing to Lead Strategic Initiatives
Step 1—Prepare a High-Resolution Picture of the End Game
Step 2—Clarify Each Staff Member’s Role
Step 3—Assessing Potential Opportunities
Step 4—Understanding Possible Threats
Step 5—Gather and Review Relevant Research
Step 6—Budgeting Time, People, and Money
Step 7—Develop the Initiative Game Plan
Step 8—Launch the Initiative With Overwhelming Power
Chapter 6—Self-Discipline: Be the Master, Not the Victim
Self-Discipline Makes You the Best You Can Be
Five Qualities of Self-Discipline
Using Self-Discipline to Focus
Building Habits of Self-Discipline
Invest Five Minutes Each Morning to Meditate on the Major Areas of Your Life
Make Self-Discipline a Part of Your Daily Ritual
Dedicate Yourself to Lifelong Learning
Face Your Fear to Develop Courage
The Truth About Self-Discipline
Chapter 7—Teaching, Coaching, and Mentoring: Multiplying Your Leadership
Developing Skills Over a Career
Training Programs Demonstrate Your Commitment to People
Working One-on-One Raises Your Commitment and Retention
On-the-Job Training Helps Coaches and Mentors
The Leap From Coaching to Mentoring
Mentoring: Benefits for the Firm
Conclusion: The Impact of Training
Chapter 8—Accountability: Trust but Verify
Why Is Accountability So Important in Business?
Accountability Is the Opposite of Permissiveness
How Does Individual Responsibility Factor Into a Group Setting?
What Should Partners Know About Performance Measurement?
Positive Results of Performance Measurement
Implementing Accountability for Positive Results
Accountability Through Measurement: Scorecards and Performance Pay
Ways to Establish Staff Member Accountability
Establish Accountability Through Communication—Set Expectations and Reinforce Success
Accountability Through Measurement
An Introduction to Measuring Performance
Keeping a Well-Rounded Perspective
Chapter 9—Challenging Personal Growth: Leading the Whole Person
Rule 1: Believe in the Meaning of Your Work
Rule 2: Communicate Regularly and Honestly With Team Members
Rule 3: Leaders Must Always Be Moving Toward the Larger Goals
Rule 4: Recognize Your Team Members
Tips for Achieving Personal Growth
Chapter 10—Empowerment: The Secret to Exponential Growth
Existing Leadership Philosophies
Mistakes: Both Risky and Rewarding
Develop a Rational Shared Vision
Provide Training and Information for Good Decisions
Reward Staff Members for Empowered Behavior
Frequent Substantive Communication
Building Highly Empowered Teams and Firms
The Seven Elements of Empowerment for Teams
Next Steps: Goals and Objectives
The Role of Strategies and Initiatives
Chapter 11—Vision: Reality in the Future
Vision: What It Is and Why You Need One
Making the Vision Real for Your Staff Members
Things to Keep in Mind as You Begin
Chapter 12—Values: The Character, Actions, and Outcomes
Core Values as Standards or Aspirations
Core Values Are Worthless Unless They Govern
Our Principles of Service and Communication
Core Values Help Frame Our Behavior
Chapter 13—Mission: Making a Difference
More Than One Mission? Maybe So
Six Steps to Developing a Mission Statement
Exercise 13-1: Client Statement
Exercise 13-2: Problem Statement
Exercise 13-3: Statement of Purpose
Exercise 13-4: Business Statement
Exercise 13-5: Value Statement
Exercise 13-6: Writing a Mission Statement
Developing a Personal Mission Statement
Exercise 13-7: Personal Mission Statement
Sample Personal Mission Statement Development
Chapter 14—Managing Processes for Your Future Firm
Advantages to Structured Procedures
Training for Team Members Improves
Benefits of Creating the Process
Establish Standards, Policies, and Procedures
Improve the Consistency of the Client Experience
Standardizing Work-Flow Management
Process Should Follow Strategy
Manage to a Written Strategic Plan
The Balanced Scorecard Framework
Business Process Management Overview
Chapter 15—Building the Future Firm Continuously
Commit to Continuous Improvement
Critical Success Factors for Change and Growth
Building a System to Manage Change and Improve Processes
Flowcharts for Seeing and Improving Processes
The Benefits of Continuous Improvement
Chapter 16—Synergy and Alignment: One Plus One Equals Three
Crisis: Realities and Constructions
Decision Making and Coordinating
Chapter 17—Sustaining Leadership: The Ultimate Succession Plan
Developing Your Leaders From Within
Approaches to Succession Planning
Succession Planning Versus the Traditional Replacement Method
Your Leadership Development Program
Define the Leadership Competencies for Each Level
Refer to Your Developmental Process
Build the Next Generation of Leaders
Prepare a Nomination and Application Process for the Program