The Leadership Contract, 2nd Edition

Book description

A comprehensive blueprint for the enlightened leader  

The Leadership Contract is the modern leader's handbook for organizational renewal. Leaders are no longer "rulers," nor are they accidental—in today's business climate, leadership is both a trait and a specific set of skills. It's about trust, commitment, communication, and drive. This book shows you how to become the leader your organization needs. You'll go beyond adopting the habits and practices of an effective leader and actually put it in writing to establish a leadership contract that ensures the success of your company.  This revised and updated edition includes new coverage of accountability, personal and organizational levels of the leadership contract, new Gut Check summary questions after each chapter, and additional opening and closing remarks to provide key insight into what the leadership role entails.

Recent studies show that only 7 percent of employees have trust and confidence in their senior leaders. How can organizations succeed without the support of their employees? This book aims to build better leaders and establish a true leadership culture that inspires the entire organization.

  • Learn why a leadership contract is needed and what it entails
  • Discover the real impact of your decisions and work ethic
  • Motivate and inspire by making the right connections
  • Facilitate a vibrant, positive culture that innovates and thrives

Exceptional leadership is the heart of a successful organization. Employees need to be able to trust in the skills, strategy, judgment, and motivation of those steering the ship. The Leadership Contract provides a blueprint for today's leaders, and guides you toward becoming the leader your employees deserve.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Introduction
  6. Chapter 1: My Personal Leadership Story
    1. Is Leadership Worth Dying For?
    2. Why Are Some Leaders Such Jerks?
    3. Why Are Many Leaders So Lame?
    4. Has Anyone Noticed That We've Stopped Talking about Our Values?
    5. How Do You Create a Vibrant Culture?
    6. How Do You Lead through Ambiguity?
  7. Chapter 2: What's Wrong with Leadership Today?
    1. Leadership Is Disappointing
    2. Leadership Is Disconnected
    3. Leadership Is Disgraceful
    4. How Did We Get Here?
    5. It's Time We Stop Settling—and Start Expecting More
  8. Chapter 3: Why We Need a Leadership Contract
    1. Do You Know What You've Signed Up For?
    2. The Leadership Contract and Its Four Terms
  9. Chapter 4: Leadership Is a Decision—Make It
    1. Why Doesn't Anyone Want to Be a Leader Anymore?
    2. Why You Need to Make the Leadership Decision
    3. The Two Kinds of Leadership Decisions
    4. Big D and small d Leadership Decisions—Clarity and Commitment
    5. A Real Leadership Decision Is Visceral
    6. Deciding Not to Lead Is an Important Leadership Decision
  10. Chapter 5: Leadership Is an Obligation—Step Up
    1. The Iron Ring Ceremony
    2. What's It Going to Take?
    3. The Five Core Obligations of Leadership
    4. The Five Core Obligations in Action
    5. Revisiting the Iron Ring Ceremony and What It Means for Leaders
    6. Final Thoughts—Leadership Is an Obligation
  11. Chapter 6: Leadership Is Hard Work—Get Tough
    1. Do We Have Wimps or Leaders in Our Organizations?
    2. The 10 Ways Leaders Make the Hard Work Harder
    3. Final Thoughts—It's Time to Get Tough
  12. Chapter 7: Leadership Is a Community—Connect
    1. The Missed Opportunity
    2. We Are Wired for Community
    3. A Rotting of Zombies
    4. A League of Heroes
    5. A Stable of Thoroughbreds
    6. It's Time to Build a Community of Leaders
    7. A Strong Community of Leaders—Clarity and Commitment
    8. Has Everyone Noticed the Change in the Room?
    9. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Community Builder?
    10. Final Thoughts—How Is Help Viewed in Your Organization?
  13. Chapter 8: Signing the Leadership Contract
    1. It's Time to Sign the Leadership Contract
    2. The One Thing You Cannot Do
    3. Signing the Document
    4. Final Thoughts—Signing the Leadership Contract
  14. Chapter 9: The Turning Points of Leadership
    1. Revisiting the Turning Points of Leadership
    2. Final Thoughts—The Turning Points of Leadership
  15. Chapter 10: Living the Leadership Contract
    1. The Four Foundational Practices for Living the Leadership Contract
    2. Regular Practices for Living the Leadership Contract
    3. Final Thoughts—Becoming a Truly Accountable Leader
  16. Chapter 11: Embedding the Leadership Contract in Your Organization
    1. Leadership Accountability—A Critical Business Issue
    2. The Four Strategies to Drive Strong Leadership Accountability
    3. Final Thoughts: Driving Leadership Accountability
  17. Conclusion
  18. Acknowledgments
  19. About the Author
  20. Index
  21. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: The Leadership Contract, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Vince Molinaro
  • Release date: January 2016
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781119211846