Why Should the Boss Listen to You: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: trusted strategic advisor, verbal visionary, intuitive thinker, United States, Three-Minute Drill, Mary Ann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"the book offers smart and practical advice that will help advisors who want to have a real impact on their boss and the organization they work for." (About.com, January 14, 2008)

"James E. Lukaszewski provides information explaining systematic processes for getting to and working at the highest levels and having maximum impact as a trusted adviser. Readers will find out how chief executives and other top executives think, understand what matters to them, and how they operate. The book's easy-to-digest lists, worksheets, and charts help readers understand how successful strategic advisers encourage operational people to do what it takes to be heard."--The Boston Globe, boston.com, April 20, 2008

Review

"Leaders must have trusted advisors.  This book shows you how to be one and stay one."
—Harvey B. Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

"Jim Lukaszewski has personally helped resolve more corporate crises than anyone I know of.  His experience “in the trenches” equals the high quality of his judgment."
—Chester Burger, American Public Relations Leader Emeritus and PRSA Gold Anvil Winner

"This book is all muscle.  It will challenge even the most trusted advisors to improve their skills.  Hats off to Jim Lukaszewski for an actionable playbook and a good read."
—Lynn Casey, Chief Executive Officer of Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.

"One of the most common complaints of managers and functional experts inside organizations is that their leaders don’t listen to them and heed their advice enough.  And they’re right.  The result is a huge waste of time, expertise, morale, and money.  Part of the answer is leaders becoming better, wiser advice takers…the other part is better advice giving on the part of advisers.  In this important book, Jim Lukaszewski lays out with great clarity and practicality what anyone must know who wants to have more influence on a boss and more impact on organizational success."
—Dan Ciampa, Author of Taking Advice, How Leaders Get Good Counsel and Use it Wisely

"I have both worked with Jim and learned from him.  He is focused and consistent in his approach to providing strategic advice.  He combines those immeasurable qualities of experience, intelligence and grit that allow him to say what the client needs to hear in the way it needs to be heard.  Attorneys are in the unique position of both advocating for a client.  There is a delicate balance to be drawn between advising a client as to a business aspect of a particular matter and advising the client in regard to a matter which has become contentious.  Jim has a powerful sense of the nuanced tones and content of the advice that must be given.  Reading this book provides valuable insights and guidance to help you navigate the often treacherous waters swirling around management."
—Douglas Cooper, Co-Managing Partner, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

"Lukaszewski, a brilliant strategic advisor, gives the secrets that can mean success for you."
—Robert L. Dilenschneider, Author of Power and Influence: The Rules Have Changed

"If you want to be in your organization’s inner circle or if you and want to stay there, this book is a must read.  Jim Lukaszewski is hands down one of the brightest business strategists on the scene today.  This is the handbook to your career success."
—Bob Frause, Chairman CEO, The Frause Group

"Jim Lukaszewski is a master both at giving advice to leaders and coaching others to become trusted advisors.  This book provides valuable tools and techniques to help enhance anyone's advisory skills, and to help earn the trust and confidence of those at the top."
—Helio Fred Garcia, Executive Director, Logos Institute for Crisis Management & Executive Leadership

"Jim Lukaszewski is widely regarded as one of the country’s preeminent authorities in crisis communications and issues management.  I have been privileged to work with Jim and to benefit from his wise counsel for many years.  What I admire most is Jim’s innate desire to teach others.  Through his professional practice and his writings, Jim relentlessly challenges us to elevate our thinking and our skills in order to drive strategic thinking throughout our respective organizations."
—Karen Muldoon Geus, Former Vice President Communications, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Primestar Partners

"Jim Lukaszewski is the best strategic thinker I know. But what makes him even more valuable to clients is his ability to sell his recommendations to CEOs and senior management. That combination of talents is exceedingly rare."
—Robert E. Gorman, Robert E. Gorman Communication

"I’ve been a communication consultant to all types of organizations for more than 30 years, and I thought I knew all there was to know about offering advice to my clients  until I read Jim Lukaszewski’s book.  What a treasure trove of insights, experiences, and practical advice on how to become and remain a valued advisor.  Read it and learn."
—Carole M. Gorney Director, Center for Crisis Public Relations & Litigation Studies, Lehigh University

"When your company is faced with a dire situation, there is great comfort in picking up the phone and hearing Jim Lukaszewski’s voice.  When we get in a tight spot we rely on his wisdom and advice."
—Deborah L. Grant, Vice President of University Communications, Tulane University

"In Why Should the Boss Listen to You: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor, Jim Lukaszewski draws on his long and successful career as a counselor to senior management, in a clear and straightforward way.  No matter what your profession, the Disciplines will help you see higher and further."
—Stephanie Harwood, S.M. Harwood Consulting

"One of the most ‘trusted strategic advisors’ I know is Jim Lukaszewski.  So, if you want your boss to listen to you, read this book . . .  and everything else Jim writes."
—Richard Jernstedt, Chief Marketing Officer, EVP, Senior Partner, Fleishman-Hillard

"In this book the magician reveals his secrets. And guess what.  Some of it is magic but most of it is integrity in action.  You can do it too."
—George Kroloff, George Kroloff & Associates

"Jim's diverse background, depth of experience, and hands-on battle skills in the trenches deliver superior results; his strategic advice and counsel made the difference."
—Seth Kursman, Vice President, Government Affairs & Communications, AbitibiBowater Inc.

"As Founder and CEO of the world’s favorite florist, I have gotten advice from many thoughtful strategic advisors.  None are more capable than Jim.  This book provides the blueprint to become a Trusted Advisor."
—Jim McCann, Chief Executive Officer , 1-800-Flowers.com

"As the CEO of my own firm today, and as Jim’s mentor and college advisor years ago, I am reminded of the depth of perspective Jim has always displayed in operating as a trusted advisor to so many, even as he completed his education.  This book will open up his wise and inventive approaches to guiding and advising to a much wider business audience.  I encourage you to read this book and be inspired by it."
—Judith Pendergrass, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Consulting Psychologists, Inc.

"Jim is well known for helping those in the C-suite deal with crises.  With his new book, Why Should the Boss Listen to You:  The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor, he teaches us how to build the kind of trusting relationship needed to be the first person the CEO calls when there's a situation brewing.  Or when he or she just wants to hear some straight talk."
—Mela Sera, Account Supervisor, IMRE Communications

"Jim's ability to quickly assess issues and offer pragmatic solutions, in a clear, understandable fashion makes him a valuable partner in running a business in these fast and turbulent times where employees are looking for direction and leadership they can trust more than ever before.  Over the years, many of my line managers still comment on how his counsel helped them and how they use his tenets of communication every day."
—Robert M. Sherwood, Division Human Resources Lead, Givaudan Schweiz AG

"Jim Lukaszewski is a premier counselor to CEOs for one simple reason:  he knows how they think, what matters to them . . .  and what does not matter to them.  Too many who contend for influence in the executive suite do not know these basics.  They attempt to impose their notions of what the boss should know about their functional area.  Far better that they forget their own job title, put themselves in the boss’s shoes, and bring useful insight that helps the leader move the organization forward.  Jim's book shows aspiring counselors exactly how to do this."
—David J. Therkelsen, Executive Director, Crisis Connection

"Jim often is at the table with spot-on counsel, laser-focused strategy that CEOs and other experts and advisors can quickly embrace, and an intensity that makes the difference in the final outcome."
—Marilyn Waters, Director of Media Relations, Fortune 100 Company

"Every senior leader worth his or her salt should listen to what Jim Lukaszewski has to say. The record is clear. Often it has been Jim’s unique experience, insight, and counsel that made the difference between success and failure for leaders facing the most challenging problems and issues of their careers."
—Richard J. White, Vice President-Corporate Communications, Wisconsin Energy Corporation/We Energies

"I've worked side-by-side with Jim Lukaszewski. He brings enormous credibility to high pressure situations. Clients listen because they sense immediately that he is a trusted advisor. I’ve read every word of his book.  If you want to add new value in your organization and be viewed as a trusted advisor, you should, too."
—Davis Young, Author of Building Your Company's Good Name

"An exciting and practical book about how to become a 'strategic trusted advisor' to CEOs and other leaders.This book serves as a road map for anyone who aspires to become a 'strategic personal counselor' for a boss or ...

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (February 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787996181
• ISBN-13: 978-0787996185
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #368,423 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally -- An Engaging & Thoroughly Valuable Book for Business and PR Folks Regardless of Rank, August 5, 2008

By	Catherine A. Huggins (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For anyone who strives to add value and contribute at a high level in the executive arena or just embark upon a highly successful career, this is a "must read" book. Jim Lukaszewski truly captures the inner-workings of an executive mindset. You do not have to be a public relations practitioner to benefit from the wisdom and stories shared within this quick and informative read.

Personally, I have read Jim's books throughout the past two decades and this one is the best yet. I highly recommend it and have purchased multiple copies to share with colleagues and team members.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Should the Boss Listen to You?, September 10, 2009

By	Robert L. Rinklin (Montclair, New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jim Lakaszewski's book "Why Should the Boss Listen to You?" is my public relations handbook. Whenever I draft a recommendation to client, Jim's three-minute drill is the format I use to present a public relations action plan or a more comprehensive communications program. The book has many useful insights that have helped me become a more effective counselor to my clients. This book is worth buying, reading and using often in day-to-day planning and to rethink your current and future client relationships.

For example, Jim encourages communications practitioners to rethink the concept of sending your clients or prospects PR proposals that are 20-, 30- or 40-pages long. Jim says, "who has time to read or skim through a document that will take hours to digest?"

Every communications practitioner, from a recent college grad in a new job to a seasoned counselor, will find valuable and useful information, viewpoints and more in Jim's book.

Bob Rinklin

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for professionals in today's economy, May 11, 2009

By	J. Pollock - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Why do some professionals enjoy long and prosperous careers in business and nonprofit, thriving even during challenging economic periods?

According to James Lukaszewski, one of the world's master strategic advisers to CEOs, because they've achieved the most valuable role possible in their field - key trusted advisor to leaders.

In his latest book, Jim provides an extraordinary insider look at this coveted role, revealing what it is and, equally important, is not. Whether in a staff position (Marketing, PR, Finance, IT, Legal, Accounting, HR, Security, etc.), consulting in one of these fields, or in operations middle management and determined to be heard at the top, professionals must realize that serious expertise in their field is, surprisingly, only the first step towards achieving this desirable and exciting position of influence.

Strategic advising to CEOS and other top management is by definition a highly complex business, and Jim strongly recommends learning seven critical disciplines. For example, many staff professionals, wrapped up in their own territory and jargon (and attitude), rarely acquire any significant understanding of general management, and yet a working knowledge is essential to becoming a trusted advisor who "must use management terms and actually execute in the management environment."

Having spent his professional life performing in the line of fire, Jim generously shares his well-marked road map to the war zone that is today's executive suite. Working through his guidelines for each compelling discipline, professionals will learn how to increase their ability to contribute significantly to the leadership under a wide range of circumstances. This in turn increases the possibility they'll be called in at 'the 11th hour' when strategic advising is most needed, appreciated, and rewarded. Fascinating case 'snapshots' illustrate and underscore his recommendations and insights.

Whatever your current professional level, you'll most certainly benefit from studying this exceptional handbook designed to help you learn how to "manage your own destiny by helping leaders achieve theirs." A remarkable real-world resource for today's volatile marketplace that belongs in every professional's library. Also highly recommended to business and communications faculty.