Customer Reviews

Facilitative Leader, The: Behaviors that Enable Success

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"It is one thing to understand the theories and constructs of leadership, as well as that understanding is necessary. It is more important to be able to demonstrate the behaviors of successful leaders and enable others to develop those skills." Glenn Ray earned an extra star in this review for three reasons. First, he presents a strong case for focusing on behaviors not slogans or rhetoric when it comes to developing leadership. Second, he did not use that "empowerment" word. He instead features the word "enable" throughout his book. That earned big points with this reviewer. Finally, he keeps the whole discussion of leadership light throught the effective use of humor and personal experience. He really does put a welcoming face on facilitative leadership.

The word facilitator means to "make easy." To put your workgroups on Easy Street, Ray recommends focusing on developing these skill sets vertically and horizontally throughout your organizations: Relationship Building, Coaching, Learning, Problem Solving, Action Planning and Implementation tracking. "Relationships define reality in organizations." You may find yourself looking at the cover of this book from time to time to make sure you didn't pick up your kid's Uncle Remus or Dr. Seuss by mistake. Ray follows a long line of Southern storytellers with his list of characters like the Vertical Turtle, the Pig in the Truck, the Peg-legged Pig and others. He employs these to drive home his lessons for leaders and just when you think you've recovered from that final belly-laugh, he slips in a zinger that leaves you thinking..."Is he talking 'bout ME?!!!"

To the author: I would recommend you get a new marketing agent for your book. If the publisher is peddling it as a college text, you are missing your real niche. This would make an excellent resource to build a corporate leadership orientation program around, especially at the new supervisor level. It would also make a great gift, gesture of appreciation or recognition item for team members moving into leadership positions. It is clear, concise and "user-friendly" without being insulting to one's intelligence.

To potential readers: Follow the author's advice and read this book with an eye towards "creating a personal development plan with specific organizational goals." Take the time to reflect upon the questions and commit to doing at least one of the acitons at the end of each chapter. You, your workgroups and your organizations will be glad you did!

"Leadership is an interaction between two or more members of a group that involves a structuring or restructuring of the situation and the perceptions and expectations of the members. As people come together in an organization to accomplish goals they hold in common, communication skills are keys to the success a leader will have with these interpersonal interactions."

Reviewed by :CWO4 Jerry Linnis, Chief-Performance Improvement Schools, U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Petaluma, California.

Reprinted with permission of The Association for Quality and Participation from the March, 1999 issue of "News for Change", Cincinnati, Ohio Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved.

The title of this book: The Facilitative Leader: Behaviors that Enable Success, accurately describes the content of the material. The leadership behaviors and communication techniques described in this book, when effectively applied, will lead to the success of the leader, the group and the organization. I have observed the implementation of R. Glenn Ray's Facilitative Leader methodologies. I have also experienced the organizational transition from traditional, autocratic leadership to Facilitative Leadership. The application of the techniques and theories described in this book can create a positive impact on both the work environment and the profitability of an organization.

Unlike other leadership books that list only desired qualities-loyalty, vision, camaraderie-this book actually explains and teaches communication techniques, issue resolution methods, and problem solving tools. After reading this book you will aqcuire strategies that you can apply to a wide variety of situations, from resolving conflict within your home to techniques for building successful teams in the workplace.

This book is an essential tool for individuals who wish to become effective leaders.

Through the use of personal experiences and eventful stories, Dr. Ray brings to life the effective practices of a facilitative leader. Enabler is the key theme throughout the text, because the facilitative leader uses influence rather than direct power to bring about change and achieve results. Practical applications of leadership principles are identified and demonstrated through personal experiences that allow the reader to relate them to their own experiences. A great book to have on every employee's bookshelf!

This is an important little power book for anyone who wants to be a successful leader and "change manager".

The Facilitative Leader: Behaviors That Enable Success by R. Glenn Ray, is put together in a very practical format. The contents include the use of the power of humorous personal experiences to develop ideas and concepts crucial for success. Useful serious information, yet fun to read. What a refreshing approach!

Based on five facilitator modes identified by the author and cross-referenced with universally accepted leadership behaviors, the book's contents will help people in responsible positions effectively project and impart action-based leadership behaviors. The focus is on helping leaders become "successful enablers of success". Certainly a noble undertaking in this world of vast business and social change!

Ray's book belongs on the desk of every manager. Especially those who profess a sincere interest in promoting positive change by developing more effective personal leadership and communication skills. Everyone in the business of managing and training people can benefit from using this valuable resource.

This reviewer personally felt so stronly about the usefulness of this book in the hands of change managers that he passed it on to his employer. (You know, the guy who pays him!) The company president thanked him for the gesture and offered that this could end up becoming required reading for his management staff.

Glenn Ray's approach to Facilitative Leadership is very insightful. The information is formated in a way that is not only easy to read and comprehend it keeps your attention from chapter 1 clear through to the conclusion. The personal stories from the author were very benifical in helping me look at and use my everyday experiences as learning and training tools. Chapter 4 - Developer of People was my favorite chapter. The information on how adults learn and how to customize training and development activities to meet the needs of adult trainees is very beneficial in my line of work. The way Glenn Ray has formatted the book you can read any chapter and have a practical use for it immediately whether at home or at work. I give The Facilitative Leader two thumbs up and recommend it to all Managers and Aspiring Leaders.

Glenn Ray's approach to Facilitative Leadership is very insightful. The information is formated in a way that is not only easy to read and comprehend it keeps your attention from chapter 1 clear through to the conclusion. The personal stories from the author were very benifical in helping me look at and use my everyday experiences as learning and training tools. Chapter 4 - Developer of People was my favorite chapter. The information on how adults learn and how to customize training and development activities to meet the needs of adult trainees is very beneficial in my line of work. The way Glenn Ray has formatted the book you can read any chapter and have a practical use for it immediately whether at home or at work. I give The Facilitative Leader two thumbs up and recommend it to all Managers and Aspiring Leaders.

This book is a great guideline for success. The part I liked best was that I didn't have to read it with a dictionary in one hand. It was filled with common sense approaches to every business situation you will encounter on the road to greatness. The author makes you feel like you are talking to a good friend and/or mentor, not an instructor. In fact this would be a great way to give yourself or someone else a mentor who is always available when you have a need.

This would be a great gift or reward for an aspiring executive or recent college graduate. You can't go wrong with any of the advice in this book but you can go further than you ever thought possible in your professional and personal life.

Pay special attention to the chapter which contains "Respectful Communication". What a great world we would live in if more people practiced that!