Leadership Agility is the master competency needed for sustained success in today’s complex, fast-paced business environment. Richly illustrated with stories based on original research and decades of work with clients, this groundbreaking book identifies five levels that leaders move through in developing their agility. Significantly, only 10% have mastered the level of agility needed for consistent effectiveness in our turbulent era of global competition. Written in an engaging, down-to-earth style, this book not only provides a map that guides readers in identifying their current level of agility. It also provides practical advice and concrete examples that show managers and leadership development professionals how they can bring greater agility to the initiatives they take every day.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"...there is much to learn from this book and I commend the authors for their painstaking analysis" (The Learning Organisation, Vol. 15 No. 1, 2008)
Review
"Leadership Agility is a unique and extraordinarily important contribution to our understanding of what it takes to lead in a world of rapid change and increasing complexity. They show us with vivid real-life examples how leaders grow, that this growth is essential to achieving higher levels of success, and that agility is the new master skill of leadership. I highly recommend this book."
—Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the best-selling book, The Leadership Challenge
—Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the best-selling book, The Leadership Challenge
"Great coaching on how to develop leadership agility! Probably the most important competency for leaders to have in today's rapidly changing world."
—Marshall Goldsmith, author, Coaching for Leadership, Global Leadership, and The Leader of the Future
"In an era of turmoil and complexity, Leadership Agility is a breakthrough in thinking about leadership competencies. Joiner and Josephs have achieved a creative synthesis of best practices in strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and action learning. Profusely illustrated with clear examples from real-life leaders, this groundbreaking book will be welcomed by both the line leader and the leadership development professional."
—David Giber, senior vice president, consulting and leadership development, Linkage, Inc.
"As executives operating in an often chaotic business environment, we know instinctively that our company's ability to zig and zag is critical. Leadership Agility takes that instinctive understanding and defines it, measures it, and shows us how to develop it in ourselves and others. This is a timely, thought-provoking, and very important book on leadership."
—Betsy Bernard, former president, AT&T
"Leadership Agility gave me the inspiration I needed to respond creatively and decisively to several of my current leadership dilemmas. Many readers are bound to be similarly inspired. The clear, specific guidance it provides makes it a "playbook" that managers and leaders will read closely and return to again and again."
—Bill Torbert, professor, the Boston College Carroll School of Management; author, Action Inquiry: The secret of timely and transforming leadership
"Leadership Agility gives you an insightful, research-based framework that helps you develop as a leader. This book is not about reading and agreeing/disagreeing, it’s about learning and doing."
—Patrick Canavan, senior vice president, of Global Governance, Motorola
"Joiner and Josephs provide a clear, detailed road map that helps pinpoint where you are on your leadership journey and shows you how to get where you want to go."
—Lee Bolman, author, The Wizard and the Warrior; Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership, Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri-Kansas City
"Leadership Agility is a remarkable achievement. It will serve as a valuable guide not only for business leaders but for anyone who wants to grow as a person, have more satisfying relationships, and experience greater success in all aspects of life. I heartily endorse this book."
—Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series and coauthor of The Success Principles: How to get from where you are to where you want to be™
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By David Chow
Format:Hardcover
I just finished reading Leadership Agility and was very impressed with the contents of the book. As a leadership development professional who tries to read everything there in the field, I felt the book offered a very fresh and unique look on leadership development that helped frame many of my experiences with developing leaders. I felt the biggest contribution was showing how the "Outside-In" and "Inside-Out" dimensions of leadership development connected and changed within a leader. Because leadership development books tend to emphasize either an Outside-In (competency-based models) or Inside-Out (i.e. authentic leadership/emotional intelligence) approach, it was so rare to see such a thorough treatment of both dimensions of leadership development. Since reading it, I've given out several copies to my leadership development colleagues.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I met Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs at the 2006 Organizational Development Network Conference and was truly impressed by both. This book is an important contribution to the field of management and leadership development. In fact, it is one of the first (in my significant reading of the literature in this arena) that makes an attempt (a successful one at that!) in bringing developmental stage theory and integral theory to bear on the topic. Many books on management development can (in my opinion) often be distilled into a 1-2 page synopsis as the concepts are just that simple. However, I cannot say that about Leadership Agility as nearly every page has many nuggets of practical wisdom. It is worth reading the whole thing.
As other reviewers have noted, Leadership Agility brings together both Outside-In (competency-based) development theory with Inside-Out (self knowledge, values, authenticity and Emotional Intelligence) understanding.
The core of the book revolves around a 5-stage developmental theory that is reflective of literature research as well as interviews completed in the last decade by Bill and Stephen. In essence, people go through identifiable developmental stages each with their own strengths and liabilities: Expert, Achiever, Catalyst, Co-Creator, and Synergist. Each of the 5 stages is cross-referenced to these 4 competencies:
*Context-Setting Agility
*Stakeholder Agility
*Creative Agility
*Self-Leadership Agility
What I especially appreciate is the naming of both Awareness and Intent as a progressive unfolding skill in the agile leader. At each level of development, the person in consideration is able to increasingly step back and take a broader perspective on both themselves and the context-situation-world they operate in. In this manner, the leader is 'transcending and including' (in Ken Wilber's terms) the ideas, concepts, observations, values, and ways of being from previous levels. Not going beyond and leaving behind, but rather including and going even further in the ability to see one's self and the situation.
The Intent element is where "action" in traditional terms takes place. After developing a broader and deeper perspective, the leader also develops the ability to take action in more skillful ways. Action then is the ability to engage other stakeholders in realizing THEIR full potential. Moreover, at each succeeding stage, the authors show how the data supports the finding that more developed agile leaders have an enhanced 'world-centric' perspective and concern. The objectives that previously satisfied them (increasing bottom-line results, increasing market-share, professional progress, etc...) are supportive (i.e., adequate but not totally sufficient) of deeper objectives of serving the development of people and the improvement of the environment both inside and outside the organization. This is genuinely inclusive leadership.
After defining leadership and leadership agility, the authors go on in Part Two to explore the competencies of each stage of leadership. Scenarios are used to explain how several leaders model this development, and tables and graphs are used appropriately to educate the reader on the essentials. Examples are drawn from real life experiences of leaders interviewed by Bill and Stephen in both corporate and educational settings.
In Part Three, both assessment and developmental recommendations are given. Of interest is the fact that high performing, agile leaders all share the trait of having a contemplative practice, whether that be meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, tai-chi, or other practices that involve taking time to reflect on experience as a leader. Contemplative practice is (in my opinion) critical for any leader or person interested in developing further and gaining improved results in work and life.
The appendix is also a well-written explanation of the research and data that went into and support the findings in the book. This part of Leadership Agility really grounds the material and helped me understand how valid the authors' model and suggestions for development really are.
My one hesitation about giving the book 5 stars (and why I did not) is that, as valuable as the Leadership Agility frame work is, it is not truly "integral" as espoused by Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute. Integral would include more of the "whole person" and the authors chose to make this applicable to leaders in business and other organizations. So the content is geared towards leader behaviors specifically. However, I do not believe that is the intention either. So do not let that put you off. I just think that could be more explicitly examined (Bill and Stephen - Any plans for a follow-up book?)
I highly recommend Leadership Agility to those in leadership roles, consultants, coaches, and anyone else who supports others in a leadership capacity. I know it will be a core part of my library going forward as it has changed my own thinking as a consultant and coach of executives and line managers. Thanks Bill and Stephen!
As other reviewers have noted, Leadership Agility brings together both Outside-In (competency-based) development theory with Inside-Out (self knowledge, values, authenticity and Emotional Intelligence) understanding.
The core of the book revolves around a 5-stage developmental theory that is reflective of literature research as well as interviews completed in the last decade by Bill and Stephen. In essence, people go through identifiable developmental stages each with their own strengths and liabilities: Expert, Achiever, Catalyst, Co-Creator, and Synergist. Each of the 5 stages is cross-referenced to these 4 competencies:
*Context-Setting Agility
*Stakeholder Agility
*Creative Agility
*Self-Leadership Agility
What I especially appreciate is the naming of both Awareness and Intent as a progressive unfolding skill in the agile leader. At each level of development, the person in consideration is able to increasingly step back and take a broader perspective on both themselves and the context-situation-world they operate in. In this manner, the leader is 'transcending and including' (in Ken Wilber's terms) the ideas, concepts, observations, values, and ways of being from previous levels. Not going beyond and leaving behind, but rather including and going even further in the ability to see one's self and the situation.
The Intent element is where "action" in traditional terms takes place. After developing a broader and deeper perspective, the leader also develops the ability to take action in more skillful ways. Action then is the ability to engage other stakeholders in realizing THEIR full potential. Moreover, at each succeeding stage, the authors show how the data supports the finding that more developed agile leaders have an enhanced 'world-centric' perspective and concern. The objectives that previously satisfied them (increasing bottom-line results, increasing market-share, professional progress, etc...) are supportive (i.e., adequate but not totally sufficient) of deeper objectives of serving the development of people and the improvement of the environment both inside and outside the organization. This is genuinely inclusive leadership.
After defining leadership and leadership agility, the authors go on in Part Two to explore the competencies of each stage of leadership. Scenarios are used to explain how several leaders model this development, and tables and graphs are used appropriately to educate the reader on the essentials. Examples are drawn from real life experiences of leaders interviewed by Bill and Stephen in both corporate and educational settings.
In Part Three, both assessment and developmental recommendations are given. Of interest is the fact that high performing, agile leaders all share the trait of having a contemplative practice, whether that be meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, tai-chi, or other practices that involve taking time to reflect on experience as a leader. Contemplative practice is (in my opinion) critical for any leader or person interested in developing further and gaining improved results in work and life.
The appendix is also a well-written explanation of the research and data that went into and support the findings in the book. This part of Leadership Agility really grounds the material and helped me understand how valid the authors' model and suggestions for development really are.
My one hesitation about giving the book 5 stars (and why I did not) is that, as valuable as the Leadership Agility frame work is, it is not truly "integral" as espoused by Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute. Integral would include more of the "whole person" and the authors chose to make this applicable to leaders in business and other organizations. So the content is geared towards leader behaviors specifically. However, I do not believe that is the intention either. So do not let that put you off. I just think that could be more explicitly examined (Bill and Stephen - Any plans for a follow-up book?)
I highly recommend Leadership Agility to those in leadership roles, consultants, coaches, and anyone else who supports others in a leadership capacity. I know it will be a core part of my library going forward as it has changed my own thinking as a consultant and coach of executives and line managers. Thanks Bill and Stephen!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Ameeta Kaul
Format:Hardcover
This book is a wonderful and easy read.
Whoever heard of a book that imparts so much insightful and serious content in an engaging, story-driven format! In what I know is a rare achievement, it presents leadership, within a developmental context, and makes it accessible, acceptable, and actionable, for leaders in all walks of life. Anybody who has investigated developmental psychology, even minimally, knows that it is complex territory. What complicates it further, is that many people tend to resist its implications. And often, what drives the last nail in, is the lack of a clear model or framework for action.
Joiner and Josephs have busted all three hurdles, in this great book. They invite us, the readers into the evolution of leadership, not in a dry, academic way, but rather by enabling us to trace our own leadership journey. In the course of doing so, we realize that not only have we understood a fairly complex model, but also identified with it in our own lives. Further, we have in our hands, a highly actionable tool that can continue to shine a light on our leadership journey in the future.
For me, the most compelling aspect of the book lies in its clarity; its ability to explain succinctly, what actually grows within us, when we evolve as human beings.
I am very excited about this work and look forward to having it open new doors for many of us, everywhere.
Whoever heard of a book that imparts so much insightful and serious content in an engaging, story-driven format! In what I know is a rare achievement, it presents leadership, within a developmental context, and makes it accessible, acceptable, and actionable, for leaders in all walks of life. Anybody who has investigated developmental psychology, even minimally, knows that it is complex territory. What complicates it further, is that many people tend to resist its implications. And often, what drives the last nail in, is the lack of a clear model or framework for action.
Joiner and Josephs have busted all three hurdles, in this great book. They invite us, the readers into the evolution of leadership, not in a dry, academic way, but rather by enabling us to trace our own leadership journey. In the course of doing so, we realize that not only have we understood a fairly complex model, but also identified with it in our own lives. Further, we have in our hands, a highly actionable tool that can continue to shine a light on our leadership journey in the future.
For me, the most compelling aspect of the book lies in its clarity; its ability to explain succinctly, what actually grows within us, when we evolve as human beings.
I am very excited about this work and look forward to having it open new doors for many of us, everywhere.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leadership is no longer stagnate!
This is a great book for leaders who are looking for something that is not the "usual" way of looking at leadership and business. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Judith A. Micale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent tool for coaching leaders.
I started using Leadership Agility as a coaching tool about four years ago and have found it very helpful with many of my business clients. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Suzan Czajkowski
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insight
The book is well written and easily digestible but reader will greatly benefit from participating in or having just started leadership training / coaching. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jo Uthus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Review of How to Handle Leadership Problem from Differing...
"Terrific book with excellent case studies of individuals working different levels of leadership agility. Read more
Published 18 months ago by John P. Courville
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well-written book, good model of leadership
As an "expert" that was elevated into an executive role, this book certainly helped me understand where I am and how I can improve. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Aeneas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tribal Leadership Fans will Appreciate This Book
The book is a result of an extensive multi-decade study of 600 leaders. The authors found that just as humans develop so do leaders. Read more
Published on December 29, 2010 by Mark A. Taylor
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Boy Scout theory of leadership development
Years ago, cantankerous therapist Fritz Perls famously accused psychologist Abraham Maslow of being a "sugar-coated Nazi. Read more
Published on December 27, 2009 by nathan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Useful but...
I have one big problem with this book. The authors claim to test for levels of development using a method that does not go to the levels they claim. Read more
Published on May 20, 2008 by STOAK
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new gold standard in the leadership field
Leadership Agility is a breakthrough book, a deep artesian well overflowing with innovative insights and practical strategies for leaders, their coaches, and the scholars who serve... Read more
Published on October 3, 2007 by James M. Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars
A most significant contribution to the adult development field
I have been working in the field of adult development psychology in various ways since about 1985, having had the privilege to be able to read most of the research that has been... Read more
Published on September 20, 2007 by Dr. Thomas Jordan
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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