Intentional Integrity: How Smart Companies Can Lead An Ethical Revolution
Silicon Valley expert Robert Chesnut shows that companies that do not think seriously about a crucial element of corporate culture integrity are destined to fail. & ldquo;Show of hands who in this group has integrity? & rdquo;It & rsquo;s with this direct and often uncomfortable question that Robert Chesnut, General Counsel of Airbnb, begins every presentation to new employees.Defining integrity is difficult. Once understood as & ldquo;telling the truth and keeping your word, & rdquo; it was about following not just the letter but the spirit of the law. But in a moment when workplaces are becoming more diverse, global, and connected, silence about integrity creates ambiguities about right and wrong that make everyone uncertain, opening the door for the minority of people to rationalize selfish behavior. Trust in most traditional institutions is down government, religious organizations, and higher education and there & rsquo;s a dark cloud hovering over technology. But this is precisely where companies come in; as peoples & rsquo; faith in establishments deteriorates, they & rsquo;re turning to their employer for stability.In Intentional Integrity, Chesnut offers a six step process for leaders to foster and manage a culture of integrity at work. He explains the rationale and legal context for the ethics and practices, and presents scenarios to illuminate the nuances of thinking deeply and objectively about workplace culture.We will always need governments to manage defense, infrastructure, and basic societal functions. But, Chesnut argues, the private sector has the responsibility to use sensitivity and flexibility to make broader progress if they act with integrity."Rob is an insider who's combined doing good with doing business well in two iconic Silicon Valley companies. His book contains smart, practical advice for anyone looking to do good and do well. & rdquo; Reid Hoffman, co founder of LinkedIn and author of Blitzscaling
Supercommunicators: How To Unlock The Secret Language Of Connection
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER & bull; From the author of The Power of Habit, a fascinating exploration of what makes conversations work & mdash;and how we can all learn to be supercommunicators at work and in life & ldquo;A winning combination of stories, studies, and guidance that might well transform the worst communicators you know into some of the best. & rdquo; Adam Grant, author of Think Again and Hidden PotentialCome inside a jury room as one juror leads a starkly divided room to consensus. Join a young CIA officer as he recruits a reluctant foreign agent. And sit with an accomplished surgeon as he tries, and fails, to convince yet another cancer patient to opt for the less risky course of treatment. In Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg blends deep research and his trademark storytelling skills to show how we can all learn to identify and leverage the hidden layers that lurk beneath every conversation.Communication is a superpower and the best communicators understand that whenever we speak, we & rsquo;re actually participating in one of three conversations: practical (What & rsquo;s this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?). If you don & rsquo;t know what kind of conversation you & rsquo;re having, you & rsquo;re unlikely to connect. Supercommunicators know the importance of recognizing and then matching each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. Our experiences, our values, our emotional lives and how we see ourselves, and others shape every discussion, from who will pick up the kids to how we want to be treated at work. In this book, you will learn why some people are able to make themselves heard, and to hear others, so clearly.With his storytelling that takes us from the writers & rsquo; room of The Big Bang Theory to the couches of leading marriage counselors, Duhigg shows readers how to recognize these three conversations and teaches us the tips and skills we need to navigate them more successfully.In the end, he delivers a simple but powerful lesson: With the right tools, we can connect with anyone.
What do the $350 million Ford Motor Company disaster known as the Edsel, the fast and incredible rise of Xerox, and the unbelievable scandals at General Electric and Texas Gulf Sulphur have in common? Each is an example of how an iconic company was defined by a particular moment of fame or notoriety; these notable and fascinating accounts are as relevant today to understanding the intricacies of corporate life as they were when the events happened.Stories about Wall Street are infused with drama and adventure and reveal the machinations and volatile nature of the world of finance. Longtime New Yorker contributor John Brooks & rsquo;s insightful reportage is so full of personality and critical detail that whether he is looking at the astounding market crash of 1962, the collapse of a well-known brokerage firm, or the bold attempt by American bankers to save the British pound, one gets the sense that history repeats itself.Five additional stories on equally fascinating subjects round out this wonderful collection that will both entertain and inform readers . . . Business Adventures is truly financial journalism at its liveliest and best.
Think Talk Create: Building Workplaces Fit For Humans
A brilliant counter narrative for restoring humanity to the bottom line, numbers obsessed culture of the modern, 21st century workplace.In a time of unusual stress, with a pandemic raging and economic insecurity and dislocation increasing, we need to rediscover the values that make us human, that give us a sense of meaning in order to increase our potential for productivity and success. What stands in the way, however, is a professional culture where human connectedness is a lost art: the frenzied numbers-obsessed, bottom-line thinking, the "scratch and claw" workplace, and organizations where the boss can literally be an algorithm. Through moving stories and a modern spin on the ancient framework of Socratic dialogue, David Brendel and Ryan Stelzer show how to move forward and build workplaces fit for humans through what uniquely defines us as human beings: our ability to think, talk, and create. By thinking carefully about a challenge, engaging peers in dialogue via open-ended questioning, and building a strategy collaboratively. Think Talk Create enables us to cultivate trust and define collective values, seemingly "soft" attributes that nonetheless markedly increase innovation and, ultimately, financial performance. Think: Step back, slow down, avoid impulsive, short-sighted decision making. Talk: Ask non-judgmental, open ended questions, with your mind as a blank slate, pursuing the problem like an empirical scientist or a judge presiding in court. Create: Bring something new and meaningful into play, a novel solution to a pesky problem that can move the world in surprising, positive directions.
How Boards Work: And How They Can Work Better In A Chaotic World
A New York Times bestselling author and veteran board member offers an insider's view of corporate boards, their struggles, and why they must adapt to survive.Corporate boards are under great pressure. Scandals and malpractice at companies like Theranos, WeWork, Uber, and Wells Fargo have raised justified questions among regulators, shareholders, and the public about the quality of corporate governance. In How Boards Work, prizewinning economist and veteran board director Dambisa Moyo offers an insider's view of corporate boards as they are buffeted by the turbulence of our times.Moyo argues that corporations need boards that are more transparent, more knowledgeable, more diverse, and more deeply involved in setting the strategic course of the companies they lead. How Boards Work offers a road map for how boards can steer companies through tomorrow's challenges and ensure they thrive to benefit their employees, shareholders, and society at large.
The Gap And The Gain - The High Achievers' Guide To Happiness Confidence And Success
As he did in WHO NOT HOW, Dr. Benjamin Hardy shares one of Dan Sullivan & rsquo;s simple yet profound teachings that until now has been known only to his Strategic Coach clients: unsuccessful people focus on & ldquo;The Gap, & rdquo; but successful people focus on & ldquo;The Gain. & rdquo;"[T]his one simple concept is a masterclass on positive psychology, healthy relationships, mental well-being, and high-performance. Everything that psychologists know about how to create a high-functioning and successful person can be achieved using The GAP and the GAIN."- Dr. Benjamin HardyMost people, especially highly ambitious people, are unhappy because of how they measure their progress. We all have an "ideal," a moving target that is always out of reach. When we measure ourselves against that ideal, we're in "the GAP." However, when we measure ourselves against our previous selves, we're in "the GAIN."That is where the GAP and the GAIN concept comes in. It was developed by legendary entrepreneur coach Dan Sullivan and is based on his work with tens of thousands of successful entrepreneurs. When Dan's coaching clients periodically take stock of all that they've accomplished-both personally and professionally-they are often shocked at how much they have actually achieved. They weren't able to appreciate their progress because no matter how much they were getting done, they were usually measuring themselves against their ideals or goals.In this book you will learn that measuring your current self vs. your former self has enormous psychological benefits. And that's really the key to this deceptively simple yet multi-layered concept that will have you feeling good, feeling grateful, and feeling like you are making progress even when times are tough, which will in turn bolster motivation, confidence, and future success.If you're finding that happiness eludes you no matter how much you've achieved, then learning this easy mindset shift will set you on a life-changing path to greater fulfillment and success.
A new product, a new service, a new company, a new division, a new organization, a new anything & mdash;where there & rsquo;s a will, here & rsquo;s the way.
It begins with a dream that just won & rsquo;t quit, the once-in-a-lifetime thunderbolt of pure inspiration, the obsession, the world-beater, the killer app, the next big thing. Everyone who wants to make the world a better place becomes possessed by a grand idea.
But what does it take to turn your idea into action?
Whether you are an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, or not-for-profit crusader, there & rsquo;s no shortage of advice available on issues such as writing a business plan, recruiting, raising capital, and branding. In fact, there are so many books, articles, and Web sites that many startups get bogged down to the point of paralysis. Or else they focus on the wrong priorities and go broke before they discover their mistakes.
In The Art of the Start, Guy Kawasaki brings two decades of experience as one of business & rsquo;s most original and irreverent strategists to offer the essential guide for anyone starting anything, from a multinational corporation to a church group. At Apple in the 1980s, he helped lead one of the great companies of the century, turning ordinary consumers into evangelists. As founder and CEO of Garage Technology Ventures, a venture capital firm, he has field-tested his ideas with dozens of newly hatched companies. And as the author of bestselling business books and articles, he has advised thousands of people who are making their startup dreams real.
From raising money to hiring the right people, from defining your positioning to creating a brand, from creating buzz to buzzing the competition, from managing a board to fostering a community, this book will guide you through an adventure that & rsquo;s more art than science & mdash;the art of the start.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things - Building A Business When There Are No Easy Answers
Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley's most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup & mdash;practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn & rsquo;t cover, based on his popular ben & rsquo;s blog.
While many people talk about how great it is to start a business, very few are honest about how difficult it is to run one. Ben Horowitz analyzes the problems that confront leaders every day, sharing the insights he & rsquo;s gained developing, managing, selling, buying, investing in, and supervising technology companies. A lifelong rap fanatic, he amplifies business lessons with lyrics from his favorite songs, telling it straight about everything from firing friends to poaching competitors, cultivating and sustaining a CEO mentality to knowing the right time to cash in.
Filled with his trademark humor and straight talk, The Hard Thing About Hard Things is invaluable for veteran entrepreneurs as well as those aspiring to their own new ventures, drawing from Horowitz's personal and often humbling experiences.
Publisher & rlm; : & lrm; Harper Business (March 4, 2014)Language & rlm; : & lrm; EnglishHardcover & rlm; : & lrm; 304 pagesISBN-10 & rlm; : & lrm; 0062273205ISBN-13 & rlm; : & lrm; 978-0062273208Dimensions & rlm; : & lrm; 6 x 1.01 x 9 inches
How Three Harvard Business School Graduates Learned the 10 Rules of Successful Entrepreneurship.
"An invaluable guide to those who might follow in the footsteps of these remarkable young entrepreneurs."?William Sahlman, Professor, Harvard Business School.
In 1998, three Harvard Business School graduates?two men and one woman?turned down six-figure salaries at big corporations, bet on themselves, and launched their own new companies. By their ten-year reunion, their audacity had paid huge dividends. They'd made many millions of dollars, created hundreds of jobs?and left their mark on the world.
Based on dozens of interviews with highly successful entrepreneurs, Harvard Business School professors and alumni, "The Intelligent Entrepreneur" tells the compelling and instructive story of how these three young founders developed ideas, assembled teams, built ventures, and achieved their dreams. Their insights distilled into ten key rules will help anyone become a successful entrepreneur.
Bill Murphy uses a unique combination of vivid storytelling and lucid instruction to show would-be entrepreneurs how to improve their odds of creating dynamic, lasting businesses.
What do the $350 million Ford Motor Company disaster known as the Edsel, the fast and incredible rise of Xerox, and the unbelievable scandals at General Electric and Texas Gulf Sulphur have in common? Each is an example of how an iconic company was defined by a particular moment of fame or notoriety; these notable and fascinating accounts are as relevant today to understanding the intricacies of corporate life as they were when the events happened.Stories about Wall Street are infused with drama and adventure and reveal the machinations and volatile nature of the world of finance. Longtime New Yorker contributor John Brooks & rsquo;s insightful reportage is so full of personality and critical detail that whether he is looking at the astounding market crash of 1962, the collapse of a well-known brokerage firm, or the bold attempt by American bankers to save the British pound, one gets the sense that history repeats itself.Five additional stories on equally fascinating subjects round out this wonderful collection that will both entertain and inform readers . . . Business Adventures is truly financial journalism at its liveliest and best.
This is the management book of the year. Clear, powerful and urgent, it's a must read for anyone who cares about where they work and how they work. & rdquo; & mdash;Seth Godin, author of This is Marketing & ldquo;This book is a breath of fresh air. Read it now, and make sure your boss does too. & rdquo; & mdash;Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, Originals, and Option B with Sheryl SandbergWhen fast-scaling startups and global organizations get stuck, they call Aaron Dignan. In this book, he reveals his proven approach for eliminating red tape, dissolving bureaucracy, and doing the best work of your life.He & rsquo;s found that nearly everyone, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, points to the same frustrations: lack of trust, bottlenecks in decision making, siloed functions and teams, meeting and email overload, tiresome budgeting, short-term thinking, and more.Is there any hope for a solution? Haven & rsquo;t countless business gurus promised the answer, yet changed almost nothing about the way we work?That & rsquo;s because we fail to recognize that organizations aren & rsquo;t machines to be predicted and controlled. They & rsquo;re complex human systems full of potential waiting to be released.Dignan says you can & rsquo;t fix a team, department, or organization by tinkering around the edges. Over the years, he has helped his clients completely reinvent their operating systems & mdash;the fundamental principles and practices that shape their culture & mdash;with extraordinary success.Imagine a bank that abandoned traditional budgeting, only to outperform its competition for decades. An appliance manufacturer that divided itself into 2,000 autonomous teams, resulting not in chaos but rapid growth. A healthcare provider with an HQ of just 50 people supporting over 14,000 people in the field & mdash;that is named the & ldquo;best place to work & rdquo; year after year. And even a team that saved $3 million per year by cancelling one monthly meeting.Their stories may sound improbable, but in Brave New Work you & rsquo;ll learn exactly how they and other organizations are inventing a smarter, healthier, and more effective way to work. Not through top down mandates, but through a groundswell of autonomy, trust, and transparency.Whether you lead a team of ten or ten thousand, improving your operating system is the single most powerful thing you can do. The only question is, are you ready?
The Insider's Guide To Culture Change - Creating A Workplace That Delivers/ Grows And Adapts
Culture transformation expert Siobhan McHale defines culture simply: & ldquo;It & rsquo;s how things work around here. & rdquo; The secret to the success or failure of any business boils down to its culture.
From disengaged employees to underserved customers, business failures invariably stem from a culture problem. In The Insider & rsquo;s Guide to Culture Change, acclaimed culture transformation expert and global executive Siobhan McHale shares her proven four-step process to demystifying culture transformation and starting down the path to positive change.
Many leaders and managers struggle to get a handle on exactly what culture is and how pervasive its impact is throughout an organization. Some try to change the culture by publishing a statement of core values but soon find that no meaningful change happens.
Others try to unify the culture around a set of shared goals that satisfy shareholders but find their efforts backfire as stressed employees throw their hands up because & ldquo;leadership just doesn & rsquo;t get it. & rdquo; Others implement expensive new IT systems to try to bring about change, only to find that employees find & ldquo;workarounds & rdquo; and soon go back to their old ways.
The Insider & rsquo;s Guide to Culture Change walks readers through McHale & rsquo;s four-step process to culture transformation, including how to:
Understand what & ldquo;corporate culture & rdquo; really is and how it impacts every aspect of the way your organization operates
Analyze where your culture is broken or not adding maximum value
Unlock the power of reframing roles within your company to empower and engage your employees
Utilize proven methods and tools to break through deeply embedded patterns and change your company mind-set
Keep the momentum going by consolidating gains and maintaining your foot on the change accelerator
With The Insider & rsquo;s Guide to Culture Change, watch your employees go from followers to change leaders who drive an agile culture that constantly outperforms.
