Leadership is Dead: How Influence is Reviving It [Hardcover]

Jeremie Kubicek (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011

Anyone can make an impact. All you need is influence—the most potent professional asset on the planet. The problem is that influence is also the most underused asset on the planet. And the primary reason is that the enemy of influence is a universal human trait: self-preservation. You guard your ideas, your status, and your reputation. Within your self-constructed walls you must cast safer visions, take smaller risks, and accept shallower relationships to ensure the security of all you are protecting. This is the downside of self-preservation: While your walls protect you and yours from demise, they also restrict your influence. You must break down your walls of self-preservation and sacrifice your security for the sake of others. Only then does the escalating paradox of personal generosity come into play: The more you give, the more you receive. This book shows that the key to effective leadership is learning how to influence in a way that engenders greater trust, stronger partnerships, and more impactful endeavors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Leadership is dead or alive, depending on how people use it. Jeremie shows us how to influence in such a way that brings life into organizations and most importantly into you. Don't miss this." (Joel Manby, CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment)

“Jeremie Kubicek clearly shares what so many influential leaders have come to know: there's a huge difference between authority and responsibility and between influence and power.” (Seth Godin, author of Linchpin)

“In a world where everyone wants to be a leader, Jeremie understands that it’s the influencers that change the world. This book offers you a way to move people to action, and make your mark on the world. It’s fast paced, easy to act on and most importantly from the heart.” (Tim Sanders, former chief solutions officer at Yahoo! and author of Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Friends and Influence People)

"Jeremie Kubicek delivers a unique voice on the topic of leadership and that is not easy to do. More than that, his voice climbs off the pages as if he was standing in front of you imploring you to use your influence to help the world. Not because he is preaching, but because he has a very real desire to help you understand that leadership is more than just being in charge . . ." (Scott Klososky, CEO of Future Point of View and author of the Velocity Manifesto and Enterprise Social Technology)

“Are you ‘for me, against me or for yourself’? That's only one of the thought-provoking questions Kubicek asks in this must-read book on true influence. This book should come with a warning: ‘May make you uncomfortable and re-examine your motives as you strive to be a person with trust, character and credibility.’” (Pattye Moore, chairman of the board, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and author of Confessions from the Corner Office)

"Where are the great leaders of our time? The world needs a new paradigm for leadership—Jeremie Kubicek has defined it. If you needed to dig a ditch, would you use a teaspoon or a bulldozer? Until now, leaders have been using a teaspoon. Every leader should read this book!" (Matthew Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of The Dream Manager and president of Floyd Consulting)

“Get inspired. Live with intention. Make a difference. Jeremie shares ‘how-to’ insights to manifest breakthrough leadership moments.” (Kevin Carroll, author & Katalyst)

"Jeremie has given a clear path to follow that will serve as a guide and a measuring stick for any leader who wants to have real and lasting influence. Take it to heart. If you want to have life-giving impact, start here." (Dr. Henry Cloud, bestselling author of Necessary Endings)

"Leadership has changed, and we need a new generation of influencers, great leaders, poised to influence well and ultimately change the world for good. And this book will help us get there! It’s challenging, inspiring, and applicable, all in one. Get ready!" (Brad Lomenick, executive director of Catalyst)

About the Author

Jeremie Kubicek is the president and CEO of Giant Impact and a founding partner of the GiANT Companies. He has been growing and leading domestic and international companies for two decades that value people over processes and integrity above all else.Today he leads the global leadership event and training company and has added key new partnerships with Dr.Henry Cloud, Pat Lencioni, Andy Stanley and Mark Sanborn along with Dr. John Maxwell.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451612141
• ISBN-13: 978-1451612141
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Study in Influence - The New Leadership April 27, 2011

By John Chancellor TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

It is difficult to read any current book on leadership without realizing that the old command and control model is indeed dead. The old leadership models were based on what worked at the start of the industrial revolution. With the introduction of the large assembly line factories filled with basically unskilled workers, it was necessary to lay out strict operating policies and procedures.

Now manufacturing only accounts for a small percentage of our total workforce. For the most part the current workforce is made up of knowledge workers. They are motivated by different drivers. They respond differently. To gain the most production from knowledge workers, they must be engaged. They want to feel like the have some control over the work process, that they are able to grow and master the tasks and that there is some greater purpose to what they are doing.

The book starts with a historical recount of past and current workers and conditions and comes to the conclusion that Leadership Is Dead - leadership that was based on an outdated way of doing things is indeed dead.

The author then relates a very personal incident - an accident while on vacation in Mexico which literallynearly took his life. He survived but it changed his life - he calls it his own death. Prior to that time, he had been driven by personal achievement. He was a typical type A personality, driven toward success and paying little attention to others as he moved up the path to success.

After his accident, he was totally transformed. He no longer followed the old management model. He became totally convinced that influence - getting people to buy into and follow your lead would produce much greater results than ruling by command.... He began to study and apply influence - to earn trust and credibility.

The book is in large part a tale of his personal growth becoming a real agent of influence. Mr. Kubicek recounts many personal stories along the way about his growth and understanding. The book also contains many stories of individual that he has worked with, mentoring in the methods of influence.

The value of this book will depend in part about what you are looking for. It is not an academic study of leadership. If you are seeking some academic study, look elsewhere. This book is about Mr. Kubicek recounting his own personal journey and his personal philosophy. His values are God and family and personal trust, treating people like they should be treated. Learning to get the most from people through influence not commands. These values form the basis for his strategy.

The book is well written and easy to read. In addition to gaining more production from people, by the use of influence, you also help them grow. But the biggest benefit, according to the author, is the personal satisfaction that comes with exercising this style of management. You ultimately become much more fulfilled. Read more ›

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership Was Murdered in Cold Blood June 2, 2011

By Irene Conlan

Format:Hardcover

Leadership is Dead: How Influence is Reviving It. Jeremie Kubicek, Howard Books, N.Y. 2011.

Leadership didn't just die a natural death. Leadership, as we have known it, was murdered in cold blood by those who subscribe to the "me first," "my way or the highway," and "greed and power above all else" philosophies that we have often found in contemporary leaders in business, religion, education, politics and public service - in all areas of society, actually. Ask almost anyone you meet the question, "Who do you see as a true leader in any area of our country today," and they will give you a blank look, a shrug of the shoulders and a mumbled, "I am not aware of any" response. It makes me think of the story of Diogenes who is reported to have gone through the cities in the daytime with a lighted lamp searching for an honest man. He found none.

Jeremy Kubicek, has written about being a fully alive (yes, awakened) human being as much as he has written about leadership, and his views on leadership are not those generally found in textbooks on management and management styles.

This book is a paradigm changer, and those who belong to the "old school" of leadership will definitely not like it - all the more reason why everyone should read it. "Do it my way or the highway" will disappear and not a moment too soon if principles of this book are understood and adopted....

Imagine working for a company that lived by these principles:

Give trust to become trustworthy
Become credible not just smart
Be intentional in your influence
Break through your walls of self preservation
Pursue relationship before opportunity
Give yourself away
Become significant in your impact

Imagine electing to The US Senate or House of Representatives men and women who took and lived by an oath to become trustworthy and credible. What about CEOs of major corporations who lived by the creed of being significant in their impact for good. Imagine a manufacturer who gave up the practice of "planned obsolescence" for building things that last for the good of the consumer - who broke through the walls of personal and corporate self preservation to do what was good, honest and best for the customer.

Not long ago I head a major political figure defends himself for not doing something because it was promised in the campaign and those promises don't count. Really? I also heard a manufacturer defend why he was putting less quality and quantity in his product, charging a higher price and trying to keep those actions unnoticed. Leaders of churches who send the message, "Do as I preach and not as I do," are also being singled out for criticism and are losing their followers at an alarming rate. Heads of large charitable institutions who receive six figure salaries are also causing contributions to diminish as "givers" begin to give directly to their cause or person-in-need knowing that the money goes to the cause and not to its administration. (The recent very popular reality show Secret Millionaire certainly made this point).

These and more actions and attitudes like them killed leadership. Requiescat in pace!

The time is right for influencing with integrity. The time is right for this book. I recommend that it be read in the schools, in the corporations, in the halls of government, in the boardrooms and in committees and subcommittees everywhere. It is the way of the future and Kubicek has shown us the roadmap. Read more ›

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Call to Redefine Leadership May 13, 2011

By Chris Ediger

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Leadership has become a term that leaves a sour taste in most people's mouths, and a wake of cynicism and distrust. Yet, even for those whose experience has differed, the term, and practice, has become too convoluted. Ask ten people on the street what 'leadership' means to them and you're likely to get ten different responses.

The heart of Leadership Is Dead is an acknowledgement of these facts and a call to change the way we view leading.

Through the author's own experiences, struggles & journey, a new standard is raised that calls all to get outside of themselves, to stop the rat race to the top of the ladder, and to handle with care the responsibility (and joy) of leading others. It is a call to use the power entrusted to you for the benefit of those around you, and to hold influence, not leadership, as the goal.

This book is both inspirational, and practical... weaving between stories and conversations, to things you and I can do immediately to change the course. By applying the principles contained within Leadership Is Dead, the ripple effect of true influence can change the lives of those you serve, and impact the trajectory of others' lives for the good.

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than the star rating would indicate May 13, 2013

By Nanzzer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave it three stars only because I'm so familiar with all the Leadership literature that's in the market already. The title is catchy, but the gist of the book is to avoid the "pretense" of leadership by focusing on influence and not control. I'll use clips from this book in my seminars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for anyone in a leadership position. November 18, 2012

By Don Keele

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Jeremie Kubicek lays out a compelling case for why the older leadership models don't work anymore and then presents an equally compelling case for the power of influence as a way to help your leadership come alive. Good read.