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Purposeful Collaboration
In EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL, you explore the difference between effective leadership skills and straightforward management tactics. What inspired you to write this book?
After being a leadership program designer, facilitator, and avid student of the art of leadership for decades, the premise of foundational leadership success became vividly clear. When leaders, or anyone, embraced the idea of “stewardship of others” and made positive and enriching relationships purposeful, it completely switched up how we view our interactions with others inside and outside of work. I wanted to collect these ideas in a simple but thought-provoking way via my first leadership book!
Can you share with us a little about the research behind your book?
Working on five continents with teams and leaders of various experiences, education, and interests was the best research I could have hoped for and yielded such valuable information. Whether leaders were in Brazil or Thailand…Azerbaijan or Thailand…China or UAE…the common query of leadership ran throughout. How do we retain talent? How do we drive success across our enterprise? How do we create an environment where people desire to succeed? The answer was always enlightened leadership, not based in authority, but resident in relationships.
What is one misconception you find most people have about business leadership?
That it’s “lonely at the top.” That leadership is a solitary place to live practically and emotionally. Nonsense. Beyond the stereotypical staff meeting, the most successful leadership environment is a place rich with healthy debate, challenging viewpoints, and purposeful collaboration.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL?
I hope they never hide behind the “it’s just business” premise again. Yes, we need to make tough decisions in business all the time…just like we do throughout every facet of our lives…why deny the personal elements? In fact, embrace them – even when it’s deeply difficult. As a result, your credibility, transparency, and authenticity will only grow.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website | InspireLSC | Amazon
Through storytelling and practical guidance, Louis Roden empowers readers to cultivate excellence and empowerment in their organizations and beyond by exploring the essence of transformational leadership and delving into the heart of stewardship.
Drawing from a wealth of global industry experiences, Everything is Personal serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of leadership with confidence and clarity. By embracing the principles outlined in this book, readers will discover how to forge genuine connections, inspire trust, and drive sustainable success in every facet of their lives. Join us on a journey of self-discovery, as we challenge conventional notions of leadership and empower individuals to lead with authenticity and purpose. Together we can unlock the transformative power of stewardship and make every interaction, every decision, and every moment truly personal.
EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL: Embracing Stewardship in The Workplace and Everyplace
“There is a stark difference between organizations that are led and those that are merely managed.” This assertion is at the heart of Everything is Personal, a compelling guide to understanding the intricacies of true leadership. Louis Roden’s work highlights the significant distinction between textbook management and leadership infused with a personal touch. Challenging the conventional separation of personal and professional life, the book argues convincingly that every decision in business is profoundly individual. Through a series of insightful essays and reflections, Roden dismantles the notion that business decisions can or should be devoid of personal impact.
The book makes a powerful start with a critique of the phrase “it’s not personal, it’s business,” which Roden dismisses as nonsense and a cowardly evasion of responsibility. He argues that leaders must acknowledge the implications of their decisions, as these decisions shape the lives and well-being of their teams. This critical perspective will force readers to reconsider every instance they have used the phrase, ultimately agreeing that it indeed represents an evasion of responsibility. Roden’s writing is marked by its candid and often provocative tone, challenging readers to rethink their approach to leadership and workplace relationships. He emphasizes the significant amount of time individuals spend at work, arguing that workplaces must be more than impersonal environments focused solely on productivity. Roden’s unique perspectives challenge the notion that coworkers are not friends, urging readers to reconsider their relationships both at work and beyond. For instance, his reinterpretation of the golden rule—treating others as you would like to be treated—reveals it to be presumptuous and advocates for a more individualized approach to empathy and understanding.
Everything is Personal is strongly anchored in Roden’s personal experiences, following his own advice to let the personal reign. By drawing on his experiences, he illustrates his points effectively, making his suggestions practical and relevant to the real world. He calls for greater responsibility in shaping workplace culture, recognizing that empathy can transform soulless transactional engagements into meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers and subordinates.
Everything is Personal is a thought-provoking read, especially in a world where the nature of work is rapidly changing. It advocates for a shift from workplaces that function merely as money-minting operations to fulfilling environments that employees look forward to each day. Roden’s passionate advocacy for personal accountability and genuine leadership makes Everything is Personal an essential read for anyone looking to transform their workplace culture into one that promotes trust, engagement, and long-term success.
Pages: 110 | ASIN : B0D55LW8VX
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