The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate [Hardcover]

John Zenger (Author), Joseph Folkman (Author), Scott Edinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

In their bestselling work The Extraordinary Leader, performance thought leaders John Zenger and Joseph Folkman revealed the 16 key competencies that separate the top 10 percent of leaders from the rest. Since that book’s publication, they and coauthor Scott Edinger discovered, through an extensive study conducted over four years, that leaders who possessed the ability to inspire and motivate outperformed all others.

The authors found that the impact of inspiring and motivating others is consistent across different kinds of organizations and within different cultures. The Inspiring Leader reveals the authors’ newest proprietary research on how top leaders inspire teams to greatness. It discusses the behaviors exhibited by the most successful leaders and includes advice on how to implement them. Drawing from statistically significant data and objective empirical evidence, the book shows how to:

• Establish a clear vision and direction
• Use the power of emotions
• Create stretch goals for your team
• Foster innovation and risk taking
• Encourage teamwork and collaboration
• Champion change, and much more

Zenger, Folkman, and Edinger lay out the strategies and concepts used by the world’s greatest leaders to motivate their teams. With The Inspiring Leader as your guide, you will learn how to put those strategies to work in your own business.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling The Extraordinary Leader

The result of extensive research conducted over a four-year period, this breakthrough leadership book reveals the principles and behaviors top leaders use to build an emotional connection between themselves and their teams.

“While providing the same practical ‘hard science’ approach to bring focus and value, this writing advances the practice of leadership development with new insight, new advice, and new inspiration for all of us to grow.”
–Kevin D. Wilde, Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, (2007 CLO of the Year), General Mills, Inc.

“The Inspiring Leader provides new insights into how leaders can improve the results of their organization through inspiration.”
–Bill Blase, Senior Executive Vice President, Human Resources, AT&T Corp.

“The real importance of this book is the clear and simple road map it provides on how to lead in ways that release the seldom fully tapped performance power in our organizations.”
–Michael A. Peel, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Yale University

“Finally a book that provides empirical evidence that inspirational leaders consistently produce superior results.”
–Kevin Rhein, Group Executive Vice President, Card Services and Consumer Lending, Wells Fargo Bank

“Following the steps recommended by the authors will enhance leadership skills, influence employee engagement, and impact business results. A real winner.”
–Pam Poggi, Vice President, Corporate Human Resources Development, Safeway, Inc.

About the Author

John H. Zenger, D.B.A., is the CEO of Zenger Folkman, a firm that brings empirical research, innovative development methods, and software tools to leadership development. He is a member of the HRD Hall of Fame and has authored or coauthored eight books and 50 articles on leadership, productivity, and teams.

Joseph R. Folkman, Ph.D., is president of Zenger Folkman. He is an authoritative voice on the subject of developing and using employee surveys to create organizational change and 360-degree feedback assessment for individual development. He is a frequent keynote speaker and conference presenter on a variety of topics regarding leadership, feedback, and organizational change.

Scott K. Edinger is executive vice president of Zenger Folkman, where he consults with Fortune 500 companies to initiate and implement large-scale performance improvement and leadership initiatives. He is an expert in helping organizations achieve measurable business results.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071621245
• ISBN-13: 978-0071621243
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another leadership book!, July 13, 2009

By 

Dr. Brett Savage (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate (Hardcover)

With all the leadership books burgeoning shelves it's no wonder another leadership book seems like, well, just another book. Not so with The Inspiring Leader! The rigorous research is right on the money and the developmental applications are attainable for any leader willing to put forth the persistent effort to inspire others. The "matter of fact" data reveals what inspiring leaders actually do to combine a certain set of strengths and actions and thus "magically" inspire others to follow them. The authors combine their own strengths to create a great read that is; seamless, immediately informative, academically inclusive, interesting, and yes, in a word, INSPIRING! Get this book and give it your best shot! It may inspire you too!

Dr. S. Brett Savage
President/CEO
Next Phase Leadership
[...]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional book from a recognized thought leader, July 8, 2009

By 

Rita M. Graziano "RG Coach" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate (Hardcover)

The Inspiring Leader is one of those rare books on Leadership: it is at once immensely practical (ideas to use NOW) and at the same time grounded in the best research and models pertaining to that illusive thing called leadership. And instead of avoiding the topic of inspiration which has long been held to be immeasurable and therefore not a topic to discuss, Dr Jack Zenger courageously and successfully breaks apart this key to leadership success so that we can all understand it and make positive use of our understanding. Outstanding book for leaders! Give it to your boss!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book...great points, May 16, 2011

By 

Mo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate (Hardcover)

This book is an easy read, and gives valuable tips on how to lead properly. Great for large or small team leaders, and really a great tool to learn how to motivate. Even for those who are seasoned leaders, tips in the book provide additional tips on how to do your job even better.