The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance

The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance

by Richard A. Davis
Released August 2010
Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9780470679159

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Book description

It's the Subtleties that Matter!

What is the real difference between competent leader and extraordinary executive? Is it pedigree, experience, intelligence? The answer is yes...and much more. Exceptional leadership hinges on a complex interaction between individual psychology and unique business needs. At the top rung of the ladder, where the dynamics are most complicated, subtle adjustments in style can produce outstanding results.

In his new book, The Intangibles of Leadership, Management Psychologist Richard Davis, Ph.D., uncovers patterns in the attributes that truly distinguish those who succeed at the top. What he found was that extraordinary leaders possess certain characteristics that fall between the lines of existing leadership models, yet are fundamental to executive success. Davis explains each of these qualities, the people who exemplify them, how to detect them in others, and most importantly, how to develop the subtle characteristics that will enable them to stand out from the pack.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. Foreword
  4. Introduction
  5. 1. Wisdom
    1. WHAT IS IT?
    2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. They are advice-worthy
      2. They encourage others to think about where they've been in the context of where they are
      3. They exercise good judgment
      4. They don't speak in banalities
      5. They don't rush their words
      6. They think independently
      7. They are selfless
    3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. Strategy 1: Develop a Teachable Point of View
        1. Questions About You
        2. Questions About Your Organization
        3. Your TPOV
      2. Strategy 2: Seek Out New Ideas
      3. Strategy 3: Find a Mentor or Advisor You Trust
      4. Strategy 4: Create Diversity of Thought on Your Teams
      5. Strategy 5: Designate Time for Self-reflection
    4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  6. 2. Will
    1. 2.1. WHAT IS IT?
    2. 2.2. THE MOTIVES, VALUES, AND PREFERENCES INVENTORY
    3. 2.3. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 2.3.1. They don't wait for things to happen
      2. 2.3.2. They go the extra mile
      3. 2.3.3. They give it everything they have
      4. 2.3.4. They find ways around obstacles
      5. 2.3.5. They produce—and own—outcomes
    4. 2.4. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 2.4.1. Prepare for wins to occur
      2. 2.4.2. Act. Now.
      3. 2.4.3. Don't believe in accidents
      4. 2.4.4. Stand firm
      5. 2.4.5. Exercise self-discipline
      6. 2.4.6. Don't quit
    5. 2.5. WHY IT MATTERS
    6. 2.6. THE BOTTOM LINE
  7. 3. Executive Maturity
    1. 3.1. WHAT IS IT?
    2. 3.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 3.2.1. They can mix it up
      2. 3.2.2. They don't get defensive
      3. 3.2.3. They take a moment
      4. 3.2.4. They acknowledge emotions but deal with them intellectually
      5. 3.2.5. They demonstrate emotional bandwidth
      6. 3.2.6. They stay cool under pressure
      7. 3.2.7. They help others deal with emotion
      8. 3.2.8. They don't hold grudges, obsess over lost opportunities, or pursue vendettas
    3. 3.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 3.3.1. Learn to read between the lines
      2. 3.3.2. Put together your own "personal board of directors"
      3. 3.3.3. Recognize that others have emotions they need to manage
      4. 3.3.4. Use humor
      5. 3.3.5. Be fit
      6. 3.3.6. Get out of town
    4. 3.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 3.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  8. 4. Integrity
    1. 4.1. WHAT IS IT?
      1. 4.1.1. Trust
      2. 4.1.2. Consistency
      3. 4.1.3. Moral compass
    2. 4.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 4.2.1. They don't lie, they don't cheat, and they keep their promises
      2. 4.2.2. They're mensches
      3. 4.2.3. Even though they're nice, they don't finish last
      4. 4.2.4. They rarely deviate from their principles . . .
      5. 4.2.5. . . . but they're open to change
      6. 4.2.6. They put others first
      7. 4.2.7. They lead by example
    3. 4.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 4.3.1. Write down your personal code
      2. 4.3.2. Don't hedge
      3. 4.3.3. Align what you think, say, and do
      4. 4.3.4. Be a mensch
      5. 4.3.5. Make sure you and the company are a good match
      6. 4.3.6. Stay away from gossip and politics
    4. 4.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 4.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  9. 5. Social Judgment
    1. 5.1. WHAT IS IT?
      1. 5.1.1. Blind spots and biases
      2. 5.1.2. Behavioral benchmarking
      3. 5.1.3. Process observations
    2. 5.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 5.2.1. They stay attached
      2. 5.2.2. They personalize their interactions
      3. 5.2.3. They're genuine and curious
      4. 5.2.4. They communicate on a symbolic level
      5. 5.2.5. They have peripheral vision
    3. 5.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 5.3.1. Payattentiontophysicalbehaviors
      2. 5.3.2. Watch how decisions are made
      3. 5.3.3. Interpret the emotions behind behaviors
      4. 5.3.4. Step back and observe meeting dynamics
      5. 5.3.5. Pay attention to how people interact with each other
      6. 5.3.6. Find a taxonomy of personality that works for you
      7. 5.3.7. When trying to read others, reflect on your own successes and failures
      8. 5.3.8. Understand, but don't play politics
    4. 5.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 5.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  10. 6. Presence
    1. 6.1. WHAT IS IT?
      1. 6.1.1. Reputation
      2. 6.1.2. Identity
      3. 6.1.3. Charisma
      4. 6.1.4. Communication
      5. 6.1.5. Archetypal fit
    2. 6.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 6.2.1. They are masters of the first impression
      2. 6.2.2. It looks like they aren't trying
      3. 6.2.3. They exude warmth
      4. 6.2.4. They tell good stories
      5. 6.2.5. They focus on the bigger picture
    3. 6.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 6.3.1. Mental Aspects
        1. 6.3.1.1. Play hard to get
        2. 6.3.1.2. Challenge the status quo
        3. 6.3.1.3. Be fluent in business
        4. 6.3.1.4. Be confident in what you know
        5. 6.3.1.5. Find your story
        6. 6.3.1.6. Be known for something
      2. 6.3.2. Physical Aspects
        1. 6.3.2.1. Make a powerful first impression
        2. 6.3.2.2. Walk tall
        3. 6.3.2.3. Look good
        4. 6.3.2.4. Say it strong
      3. 6.3.3. General
        1. 6.3.3.1. Study yourself
        2. 6.3.3.2. Get feedback
    4. 6.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 6.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  11. 7. Self-Insight
    1. 7.1. WHAT IS IT?
    2. 7.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 7.2.1. They talk about themselves accurately . . .
      2. 7.2.2. . . . but they aren't self-focused
      3. 7.2.3. They understand the importance of knowing themselves
      4. 7.2.4. They want you to give it to them straight
    3. 7.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 7.3.1. Solicit feedback the right way
      2. 7.3.2. Do something with the feedback
      3. 7.3.3. Reach out to an old friend or family member, or go to your high school reunion
      4. 7.3.4. Keep a diary of your thoughts
      5. 7.3.5. Speak to a management psychologist
      6. 7.3.6. Do something outside your comfort zone
    4. 7.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 7.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  12. 8. Self-Efficacy
    1. 8.1. WHAT IS IT?
      1. 8.1.1. Self-efficacy versus self-esteem
    2. 8.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 8.2.1. They have an external locus of control
      2. 8.2.2. They want the ball
      3. 8.2.3. They inspire others to want the ball too
      4. 8.2.4. They face things head on
      5. 8.2.5. They aren't derailed by setbacks
      6. 8.2.6. They're focused realists
      7. 8.2.7. They disdain arrogance
      8. 8.2.8. They see the road ahead clearly
    3. 8.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 8.3.1. Ask for help
      2. 8.3.2. Place your own stamp
      3. 8.3.3. Visualize success
      4. 8.3.4. Recognize your own self-defeating patterns
      5. 8.3.5. Give yourself a good swift kick in the posterior
      6. 8.3.6. Be slightly over-optimistic about your abilities
    4. 8.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 8.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  13. 9. Fortitude
    1. 9.1. WHAT IS IT?
    2. 9.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 9.2.1. They test themselves
      2. 9.2.2. They show conviction in their actions
      3. 9.2.3. They take responsibility
      4. 9.2.4. They go against the grain
      5. 9.2.5. They don't wilt in the face of bad news
      6. 9.2.6. They enforce justice within the organization
      7. 9.2.7. They have staying power
    3. 9.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 9.3.1. List the things you've overcome
      2. 9.3.2. Face your fears
      3. 9.3.3. Embrace the tough battles
      4. 9.3.4. Choose a mantra
      5. 9.3.5. Embrace new endeavors
      6. 9.3.6. Absorb the lessons of others
    4. 9.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 9.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  14. 10. Fallibility
    1. 10.1. WHAT IS IT?
      1. 10.1.1. Fallibility Spurs Innovation
    2. 10.2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT?
      1. 10.2.1. They reveal their blemishes
      2. 10.2.2. They talk about specific moments of failure
      3. 10.2.3. They make greater-good decisions
      4. 10.2.4. They are authentic and comfortable in their own skin
      5. 10.2.5. They don't equate risk-taking with fear of failure
      6. 10.2.6. They aren't freaked out by having talent around them
      7. 10.2.7. They're magnets
    3. 10.3. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
      1. 10.3.1. Ask, don't tell
      2. 10.3.2. Let down your defensive walls
      3. 10.3.3. Celebrate wins
      4. 10.3.4. Confront the fear of failure
      5. 10.3.5. Share your weaknesses
    4. 10.4. WHY IT MATTERS
    5. 10.5. THE BOTTOM LINE
  15. Endnotes
    1. CHAPTER 1
    2. CHAPTER 2
    3. CHAPTER 3
    4. CHAPTER 4
    5. CHAPTER 5
    6. CHAPTER 6
    7. CHAPTER 7
    8. CHAPTER 8
    9. CHAPTER 9
    10. CHAPTER 10

Product information

  • Title: The Intangibles of Leadership: The 10 Qualities of Superior Executive Performance
  • Author(s): Richard A. Davis
  • Release date: August 2010
  • Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
  • ISBN: 9780470679159