Power Play

Acknowledgements

It was 9 am on 23 September 2015, in Dearborn, Michigan, world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company. I was presenting at the Ford Global Leadership Program. As I was introduced, a powerful wave of emotion surged through me.

The MC called out my name and I was on.

I stepped out to face a room full of leaders … and stood there, speechless. This doesn't happen often — I speak for a living. I didn't utter a word for a full minute (or that's how long it felt) as I composed myself.

What I'd just experienced was a tidal wave of gratitude for the privilege of addressing one of the most prestigious gatherings of business leaders on the planet.

I frequently have the opportunity, pleasure and privilege of travelling around the world to run workshops and master classes and give keynote addresses to audiences large and small, usually made up of business leaders. Leaders who have a mandate to change not only their world but the world.

Every day these individuals face two challenges: how to engage people and how to deliver results, generally in tough commercial environments. Above all they have to meet these challenges with authenticity and integrity rather than vanity and arrogance.

I base this book about influence on their learnings and experiences, and am grateful for the generosity with which they have shared their challenges and successes.

This book is a co-creation built on the honesty of the leaders, too many to name, with whom I have worked. It would also not