Positive Leadership: Strategies for Extraordinary Performance (Paperback)

by Kim S Cameron (Author)
Key Phrases: personal management interview, negative energizers, positively deviant performance, Positive Leadership, Implementing Positive Strategies, Family Life (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Positive Leadership shows how to reach beyond ordinary success to achieve extraordinary effectiveness, spectacular results, and what Kim Cameron calls "positively deviant performance"--performance far above the norm. Citing a wide range of research in organizational development and psychology as well as real-world examples, Cameron shows that to go from successful to exceptional, leaders must learn how to create a profoundly positive environment in the workplace. They must build on strengths rather than simply focus on weaknesses; foster positive emotions like compassion, optimism, gratitude, and forgiveness; encourage mutually supportive relationships at all levels; and provide employees with a deep sense of meaning and purpose. In this concise, inspiring, and practical guide, Cameron describes four specific positive leadership strategies, lays out a proven process for implementing them, and includes a self-assessment instrument and a guide to assist leaders in the implementation process.

From the Publisher

"This accessible and uplifting book translates years of social science research into actionable guidelines for leaders who wish to make a positive difference in the world."
--Amy C. Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School

"Kim Cameron provides a sound empirical basis for the link between positive executive behavior and outstanding business performance as well as practical strategies that leaders can apply to achieve extraordinary results through positive performance."
--Thomas Glocer, CEO, Thomson Reuters

"Positive Leadership brilliantly advances the argument for and validation of tangible strategies for creating extraordinary organizations. This work is comprehensive, well-documented, compelling, and insightful and represents a genuine contribution to the field."
--Jim Loehr, EdD, CEO and Chairman, Human Performance Institute

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Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576756025
• ISBN-13: 978-1576756027
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,530 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A short, quick read with useful strategies grounded in research, August 10, 2008

By	Stephanie Biernbaum (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book with hesitation, assuming it would fit the mold of other leadership fads and would wax poetic mostly using anecdotes and success stories. Happily, I was wrong. Kim Cameron has kept it to the essentials, while linking empirical research to effective leadership strategies - none of which are groundbreakingly new, but useful nonetheless. For anyone who has an interest in Appreciative Inquiry but is put off by it's new-ageiness, Cameron has drawn from similar concepts of Positive Psychology while using straightforward language any business person will find meaningful. If you're looking for more of the academic underpinnings, you may feel drawn to look up several of the studies referenced within the book for continued reading, as I did. If, on the other hand, you prefer a quick read and would appreciate having a cumulative checklist/action plan to help apply the suggested tactics, I strongly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive "Deviance" Delivers Amazing Results, April 5, 2009

By	Susan Stamm "Author, Consultant" (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Positive Leadership introduces you to `positive deviant performance.' This is performance that is much more than plain old great performance. To use an example from this book, Cameron describes a government contractor who finished a job 60 years sooner than expected and 30 billon dollars cheaper than expected. You begin to envision what this positive deviant performance looks like and how it could transform your team. The good news is that according to Kim Cameron it is possible to achieve in most organizations. This book tells you how. It outlines the characteristics common to organizations producing such results backed up by his extensive research. I'd highly recommend this book, but if you are not sure you can listen to an interview first with Kim Cameron as he discusses this book at: http://www.teamapproach.com/bookends/positiveleadership.asp

Susan Stamm, Author, 42 Rules of Employee Engagement

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and recommended reading for anyone in charge of the productivity of others, November 9, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A good leader can make mediocre workers good and good workers great. "Positive Leadership: Strategies for Extraordinary Performance" is a leadership manual encouraging managers to inspire and motivate their workers to new levels using the advice and tips contained within. With four principle strategies, he goes over their implementation and also gives advice on motivating oneself along with their employees. "Positive Leadership" is solid and recommended reading for anyone in charge of the productivity of others.