Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success [Hardcover]

Vince Thompson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131492489 | ISBN-13: 978-0131492486 | Publication Date: March 26, 2007

“Thompson rolls up his sleeves and provides managers a vision and road map to inspire organizational change and personal success.”

–Chris Gorog, Chairman & CEO Napster

 

THE BUSINESS BOOK FOR THE REST OF US

Ah, the life of a manager. You’re squeezed between the needs of your corporation, your team, your customers, and your colleagues. Whatever your day-to-day realities, you can achieve far greater power, purpose, and success–Ignited will show you how.

 

“With a real-world view of what it's like to lead in limited space, Thompson shows middle managers how to access their true power and purpose to achieve the work life they've always dreamed of. This book really delivers on its promise to Ignite the magnificence of all.”

–Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager ® and Leading at a Higher Level

 

“Brilliant; this is the best management book of the year. Jammed with vital takeaway value for managers, it should also be required reading and a sobering look-in-the-mirror for every business owner and CEO. This breakthrough work absolutely sparkles!”

–Jason Jennings, bestselling author of It’s Not the Big That Eat the Small–It’s the Fast That Eat the Slow, Less Is More, and Think Big–ACT Small

 

“Ignited speaks to managers in a way that I’ve seen no other business book do before. With sharp insights and an authentic understanding of our roles, Thompson demonstrates how managers can create the future. With Ignited you’ll get the big ideas that spark as well as the fuel to get you there.”

–Brad Simmons, Senior Director Partnership Marketing, Experian

 

“Like a demolition expert, Thompson craftfully implodes America's old school management chain and shines the light on the hero in American business: the Manager. I was amazed at the immediacy in which you can apply the information in Ignited! Read this book and re-light the fire in your career, your company, and with everyone you come into contact with.”

–W. Grant Eppler, Divisional Sales Manager–West, Heinz—Portion Pac

 

“If you want to change the world, you've gotta take a stand. With Ignited Vince Thompson does just that, showing managers how, in this time of reinvention and chaos, they can rise above the constraints to put the heart and soul back into business. This book and its lessons have the power to change your life and propel your career. Read it, Live it, and Be Ignited!”

–Erin Brockovich, Advocate, Author, and Speaker

 

More Power, More Purpose, and More Success for Managers

Have you ever been maligned, misunderstood, downsized, reengineered, reorganized, or even misled? Even in the best organizations, you face brutal competition, non-stop pressure, and relentless change.

Ignited reveals the gathering forces that will offer you unprecedented opportunities to reshape your career and organization. It outlines clear, realistic steps for leveraging your networks and resources to transform your vision into reality, and accomplish powerful goals only you can achieve. This is not another diatribe on leadership or grand strategic vision written by those already at the top: the Jack Welches or Rudy Giulianis who can simply dictate their visions to the organization. Ignited is for those leading from the middle: managers who need real tools to make a real difference. If you’re ready to take back your business, your career, and your life, Ignited is for you.

 

More Power

• Learn how to lead in a limited space
• Power up your network, expand your influence
• Overcome the traps of time, powerlessness, and negative emotions
• Drive meaningful strategic change across your company and industry

More Purpose

• Harness the power of seven key ignition points for achieving your highest purpose
• Accomplish the powerful goals you’re uniquely positioned to achieve
• Master the new roles of linkmaker, process master, pilot, healer, bard, scout, and translator
• Connect your personal passions with your company’s goals

More Success

• Master a system for selling your vision, and succeeding with the projects you’re most passionate about
• Live your best life, not just your company’s

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION: LIVING IN QUAKE COUNTRY  1
BASE CAMP: THE IGNITED QUIZ  13 
Part I GET MORE POWER
1 ACTION WITH TRACTION  19
2 THE MANAGER’S UNIVERSE  39
3 LEADERSHIP IN LIMITED SPACE  57
4 MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS  79
5 THE DEADLY LACK OF EMPOWERMENT TRAP  97
Part II GET MORE PURPOSE
6 IGNITION POINT 1: THE PROCESS  117
7 IGNITION POINT 2: THE PEOPLE  137
8 IGNITION POINT 3: THE MESSAGE  153
9 IGNITION POINT 4: THE LANDSCAPE  167
10 IGNITION POINT 5: THE STRATEGY  187
11 IGNITON POINT 6: THE STORY  207
12 IGNITION POINT 7: THE SPIRIT  227
Part  III GET MORE SUCCESS
13 SELLING FROM THE FULCRUM  247
14 YOUR OWN SENSE OF BALANCE  271
INDEX  281

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A former middle manager turned consultant, Thompson depicts the realm between upper management and the workforce as rife with turf battles, firestorms and ongoing struggles to keep the troops from revolting. Fighting the notion that the 5.4-million middle managers at 30,000 U.S. companies are in a vast career wasteland, he offers specific and practical solutions for good management. As corporate fulcrums, managers are in a position to exert more power than they think, he argues. He also examines the root causes of situations known to endanger career progress and zap spirits, such as communications gaps between new bosses and long-term managers, or the anxiety associated with headquarters' sudden infatuation with outsourcing. He then offers tools for successfully defusing such situations and even finding opportunity in them. The remainder of the text examines the skills required to achieve change. Using a combination of personal insights and short case studies, often quoting real people talking about their experiences at well-known companies, he brings an energy and enthusiasm that makes maintaining the middle ground seem both compelling and personally challenging, if not noble. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“With a real-worldview of what it's like to lead in limited space, Thompson shows middle managers how to access their true power and purpose to achieve the work life they've always dreamed of. This book really delivers on its promise to Ignite the magnificence of all.”

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager^® and Leading at a Higher Level

 

“Brilliant; this is the best management book of the year. Jammed with vital takeaway value for managers it should also be required reading and a sobering look-in-the-mirror for every business owner and CEO. This breakthrough work absolutely sparkles!”   

Jason Jennings, bestselling author of It’s Not The Big That Eat the Small-It’s The Fast That Eat the Slow, Less Is More and Think Big-ACT Small

 

“Thompson rolls up his sleeves and examines the dilemma of managers trapped in a Dilbertian world and provides a vision and road map to inspire organizational change and personal success”. 

Chris Gorog, Chairman & CEO, Napster

 

“Ignited speaks to managers in a way that I’ve seen no other business book do before. With sharp insights and an authentic understanding of our roles, Thompson demonstrates how managers can create the future. With Ignited you’ll get the big ideas that spark as well as the fuel to get you there.” 

Brad Simmons, Senior Partner Manager, Experian

 

“Like a demolition expert, Thompson craftfully implodes America's old school management chain, and shines the light on the hero in American business; The Manager. I was amazed at the immediacy in which you can apply the information in Ignited! Read this book and re-light the fire in your career, your company, and with everyone you come into contact with.”

W. Grant Eppler, Divisional Sales Manager — West, Heinz — Portion Pac

 

“If you want to change the world, you've gotta take a stand. With Ignited Vince Thompson does just that showing managers how, in this time of reinvention and chaos, they can rise above the constraints to put the heart and sole back into business. This book and its lessons

have the power to change your life and propel your career. Read it, Live it and Be Ignited!” 

Erin Brockovich, Advocate, Author and Speaker

“Managers of the world, rejoice.  There is finally a book for you.  Vince’s book contains some of the best advice you’ll ever get on getting the best out of people and enduring the constant stress that comes with managing human beings.  Simple, easy to use and inspiring.  If you manage people, buy one.  If you manage managers, buy a box.  In a world of leadership books that may or may not apply to your situation – this book will hit you in the bullseye.”
Tim Sanders, author of Love Is The Killer App: How To Win Business and Influence Friends and former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo!

 

“Ignited! is a groundbreaking leadership book that if followed will unleash any organizations most underutilized resource -- Middle Managers. Too long neglected and too often abused Vince Thompson lays out how to maximize these managers untapped potential and it is HUGE! If you need results and need an energized management team, Ignited! is the only book you need to read.” 

Chester Elton co-author of the New York Times best-selling Invisible Employee

 

"Leading from the middle has always been a tough job.  In today’s rapidly changing environment it’s even harder. With Ignited, Thompson takes managers right to the heart of their roles and shows them how they are uniquely positioned to energize their companies. Ignited promises more power, more purpose and more success and really delivers." 

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., Dean, The Graziadio School of Business and Management Pepperdine University

 

“What will make your career hot--or not--is whether you can inspire a burning desire for change and growth in the people around you. Vince Thompson shows how to do this to get the success you deserve.”

 Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight

 

"Thompson's the real deal and his book on Management stands out like none other. I'm recommending it to my team and encourage you to take his purpose filled advice and truly be Ignited!" 

Alan Cohen, CMO TV Guide 

 

"Anyone trying to navigate the treacherous shoals of today's middle management dilemma without this book does so at his or her own peril. Vince Thompson spells out in delicious detail how to stand apart from the crowd and actually get things done."  

Granville Toogood, executive coach and author of The Articulate Executive--Learn to Look, Act and Sound like a Leader

 

"Ignited is just superb. Rich with terrific insights into the managers' dilemmas this book delivers on the promise for managers to become "Ignited", energized and passionate in their work. One of the experiences and recommendations so resonated with the current situation my friend is in that I pointed it out to him and now he’s reading the book as well! I’m certain I’ll be recommending this book for years to come." 

Jan Sola, Ph.D., Associate Director, Executive Development Center, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University

 

“If you want to get to the Top you’ve got to make meaningful contributions. With Ignited, Thompson provides a framework for purposeful and powerful action".
Jeffrey Fox, best selling author of How to Become CEO and How to Get to the Top:  Business Lessons Learned at the Dinner Table

  

"Thanks to Vince Thompson we're reminded that we, Managers in the Middle, are not alone!  With entertaining anecdotes, real life examples and solid research, you'll find Ignited really connects. You'll laugh, you'll cry and if you follow the advice you'll find yourself managing your career rather than being managed by it. This wonderful book is a must read for anyone in management." 

Lisa Tichadou, Sales Training Manager, Employee Development, Los Angeles Times

 

 

 

 

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: FT Press (March 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131492489
• ISBN-13: 978-0131492486
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vince Thompson, principal at Middleshift Consulting, works with Internet companies to design world-class online marketing solutions and build sales organizations. His clients include Napster, StarStyle.com and Break.com.

Thompson has spent fifteen years as a middle manager leading teams in challenging industries and hotbeds for learning: first in restaurants, then in television, and now in the Internet business.

He spent seven years as Regional Vice President of Sales for America Online.
There, he designed AOL's sales training organization, managed teams in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dulles, VA; and served as Regional Vice President of AOL's Southwestern Region, where his teams led AOL's West Coast Entertainment and Auto relationships.

He is a featured online expert in the Quantum Training Series, has spoken widely on online advertising, and contributed to the Iowa Press textbook Media Selling.

Thompson holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communications, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and two daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful, April 6, 2007

By 

J. L. Owens "lab luvr" (Brecksville, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success (Hardcover)

I wish this book were around sooner, I wouldn't have struggled near as much as I progressed through my career. Vince Thompson has provided some very practical ideas for everyone who may be struggling with different corporate cultures. As a CEO of a midsize company I will recommend this book to all managers in our company, it will help them and the company to be more successful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Targeted specifically to middle management..., July 7, 2007

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success (Hardcover)

Middle management is one of the toughest positions in corporate America. You're expected to run things successfully, while often not having enough sway and power to implement your plans. A book that aims to remedy that is Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success by Vince Thompson. An excellent book that should be on the shelf of every manager...

Contents:
Introduction - Living in Quake Country; Base Camp - The Ignited Quiz
Part 1 - Get More Power: Action with Traction; The Manager's Universe; Leadership in Limited Space; Managing Your Emotions; The Deadly Lack of Empowerment Trap
Part 2 - Get More Purpose: Ignition Point 1 - The Process; Ignition Point 2 - The People; Ignition Point 3 - The Message; Ignition Point 4 - The Landscape; Ignition Point 5 - The Strategy; Ignition Point 6 - The Story; Ignition Point 7 - The Spirit
Part 3 - Get More Success: Selling From The Fulcrum; Your Own Sense of Balance
Index

The reason why people put themselves into "the middle" is to make a difference in the lives of their coworkers and the company in general. But it's not an easy road. Ignited starts with a quick quiz that will give you a general idea as to how your attitude plays out in relation to your job. Then the three parts of the book help you find your path to a more effective role in the company. Part 1 talks about general principles of management that might sound like common sense, but that often get lost in the midst of the battles. I really was struck by the effectiveness of the "universe mapping" exercise. It shows you who you are linked to in terms of your success. Following that up with an attempt at mapping your boss's universe can then give you the insight as to what you need to do to make them successful (and yourself in the process). Part 2 then gives you the tools you need to effectively run the areas that are uniquely yours as a manager... your people, your message, and so forth. The final part of the book then sums up the newfound power and opportunities you have as an ignited manager, and gives you the roadmap on how that new position and knowledge can be leveraged for your success and balance in life. By the time you've worked through the book and focused on the changes outlined, you should be infinitely more involved and effective in your position.

Rather than read yet another book on how a CEO leads, focus instead on reading something targeted to your specific situation and circumstances. This is that book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignited Will Ignite All Managers, April 10, 2007

By 

Charles H. Warner (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success (Hardcover)

Vince Thompson's Ignited will ignite managers at all levels if they will read it and take its lessons seriously. Most business books are aimed at CEOs, and too often deal in cutely phrased and fuzzy theories. Thompson's book is hard-core practical and gives case study examples of how managers can have a significant impact on a company's direction and their own careers. If you feel stuck, read Ignited.