Leadership Presence: Dramatic Techniques to Reach Out, Motivate, and Inspire (Hardcover)

by Belle Linda Halpern (Author), Kathy Lubar (Author)
Key Phrases: passionate purpose, inner critic, vocal variety, Capital One, New York, River of Life (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
What can leaders learn from actors? Stage presence, say Halpern and Lubar, former entertainers themselves and cofounders of the Ariel Group, a corporate training and coaching firm. In this first book, they translate stage presence into the PRES model. PRES, an acronym for being Present, Reaching out, Expressiveness and Self-knowing, represents the four qualities that make up leadership presence "the ability to connect authentically with the thoughts and feelings of others, in order to motivate and inspire them toward a desired outcome." Although the content is aimed at so-called soft leadership skills, the book follows a highly practical model. Each of the four characteristics is discussed in a tightly organized section that boils down to three rules and three guidelines for understanding and applying the quality. Each chapter is supported by a series of useful practice exercises, including some solid advice for dealing with stage fright. Most of the examples used in the book are drawn from either acting or business; the business examples are derived from common situations (how to handle a presentation, connect with the workforce in a new job, relate to co-workers and subordinates). As the book progresses, the "acting as leadership" metaphor gets a bit strained, but the techniques and tactics remain appropriate for the business audience. Using the craft of acting as the delivery medium is an entertaining twist on the typical interpersonal skills book, even if thoughtful readers may be hard-pressed to accept the intimate connection between acting and business leadership claimed by the authors.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Read Leadership Presence and give the gift of presence to all those you touch. Halpern and Lubar take a fresh approach to leadership by providing the tools to authentically express yourself as you genuinely create value with others." (Kevin Cashman, CEO, LeaderSource and author of Leadership from the Inside Out and Awakening the Leader Within) "With The Ariel Group's help, our people have begun to learn these critical skills . . . and our business has improved as a result. In fact, we see people begin a transformation in only a few days." (Jim Stryker, Manager, Strategic Business Skills Development, Mobil Oil)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Gotham (October 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592400175
• ISBN-13: 978-1592400171
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,501 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars weLEAD Book Review by the Editor of leadingtoday.org, February 16, 2004

By	Greg L. Thomas (Litchfield, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At weLEAD we naturally receive hundreds of books on the subject of leadership from virtually every perspective and approach. We will give Leadership Presence credit for a truly novel and effective approach. Unlike most leadership authors Belle Linda Halpren and Kathy Lubar do not come from a strictly business school, military or academic background. It may be the very reason why this book is so enjoyable to read! The authors are highly skilled actresses and taught acting skills in Repertory Theater. Many of the students they had were various professionals including teachers, doctors, businesspeople and others. Because these individuals were able to use the theatre skills they acquired effectively in the workplace, the authors founded the Ariel Group in 1992. Since that time the Ariel Group has presented workshops to over 30,000 executives. This book is a result of that effort and the results achieved.

The main theme of Leadership Presence is simple yet profound. The authors define Leadership Presence as the "ability to connect authentically with the thoughts and feelings of others in order to motivate and inspire them to achieve a desired outcome". Throughout the book you will find a special emphasis on the word "authentic". This is not a book about motivating or manipulating others by using acting skills or pretence. It is a book that focuses on learning to authentically connect with the minds and hearts of others to effectively lead. Far too many business leaders conduct themselves in ways they think their executive roles require, rather than being themselves based on their heartfelt values. The result is that they come across as inauthentic and this breeds a lack of trust. The authors spend an admirable amount on the importance of values and introduce the reader to what they call the PRES Model of Leadership Presence.

Leadership Presence was written to teach techniques that will help the leader to motivate, inspire and reach out to others. It will help the reader to enhance relationships, build collaboration and flexibly deal with challenging situations. The book is composed of nine chapters divided into four sections suitably called "Acts". Act I discusses how one can learn to be completely in the moment. Act II analyzes the skills available to build relationships. Act III examines the appropriate way to express emotions and feelings. Act IV focuses on being yourself and reflecting your values in your behavior. Most chapters end with a section on exercises or practice guidelines to cement the information taught in the preceding chapter. Numerous personal stories and examples provided by the authors keep the material interesting and practical.

If you are new to the study of leadership you will enjoy this book. If you have read dozens of books on the study of leadership, you will love this book because it views this complex subject from a truly innovative and helpful angle. Sometimes we can get so immersed in a subject we can't "see the forest for the trees". Leadership Presence is one of those unique books that will help you to step back and see the forest because it gets to the very heart of leadership...authentic behavior and values.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a deep gap in leadership literature, November 16, 2003

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Why is it when some actors take the stage they automatically command the attention of the audience? It doesn't matter if they are not the most important part of the scene - they still command the audience's attention even when in the background. These people have a sense of presence; their very being and bearing demands respect. That ability to command respect is what this book is about. How does a real leader create this sense of presence such that he or she automatically has the attention and respect of those they lead?

The authors define presence as "the ability to connect authentically with the thoughts and feelings of others". While business has generally ignored this sense of presence and assumed that people will be led simply because they are employees, the acting profession lives or dies by this sense of presence. Business is now struggling to create loyal employees who think for theirselves and have a sense of being a part of a larger community. Business is looking for great leaders.

To help find or create these great leaders there has been a plethora of books about the attributes of great leaders; they communicate well, they treat others as important, etc. The difference between most management or leadership books and this one can best be illustrated by the art of dance. A good dancer can be mechanically perfect. Every twist, every turn, every leap is exactly as it should be, but still the dance is boring. On the other hand a dancer who truly feels and moves to the music as it were a part of their self creates a thing of beauty to see. That is where this book differentiates itself from the other books on leadership. The others are typically descriptions of what makes good leaders - the mechanics of the perfect dance. This book helps the leader to establish a sense of presence that in turn causes a sense of immediate respect in others - the dancer who feels the music.

At the end of each chapter are exercises to help the reader to learn to apply the lessons. The authors fill a deep chasm in management theory with this book. "Leadership Presence: Dramatic Techniques to Reach Out, Motivate and Inspire" is a highly recommended read and required reading for those in leadership positions of any kind.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership Presence has something for everyone, October 31, 2003

By	laurie katz (needham, massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews

I found the highly readable Leadership Presence to be satisfying on many levels. It is enjoyable to read, with many grippping stories that support the authors' discussion of what makes an effective leader. It feels useable, as it has practical applications listed at the end of each chapter, written clearly as exercizes that anyone could do. The authors have a great deal of experience working with a wide variety of buisnesses, large and small,and they draw from this wealth of experience in presenting their innovative approach to the art of leadership.
This book outlines the principles of acting and applies them to what it takes to be an effective leader; even more, on what it takes to be an effective person in any realm in communicating with others. I related strongly to the ideas in this book -- as a drama teacher, as one who works with middle schoolers and a community of teachers and parents, and even as a mother of two daughters. Even though I was familiar with many of the ideas that related to acting, I saw these ideas presented in a different context, and I believe the book will be a great reference for me in work and in the rest of my life. I plan to give a copy to my middle school principal, and to my rabbi--as I was reading, I thought of many people who would enjoy and benefit from this book. I highly recommend it!