Sabtu, 24 November 2012

Self Leadership by Andrew Bryant & Ana Kazan - Book review


Self-Leadership

How to Become a More Successful, Efficient, and Effective Leader from the Inside Out


By: Andrew Bryant, Ana Kazan, Ph.D.

Published: August 21, 2012
Format: Paperback, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 0071799095
ISBN-13: 978-0071799096
Publisher: McGraw-Hill












"In life and in business, before we lead others we must be able to lead ourselves", write international thought leader on self leadership, Andrew Bryant; and Visiting Scholar at North Carolina State University, Ana Kazan, Ph.D., in their empowering and research based book Self-Leadership: How to Become a More Successful, Efficient, and Effective Leader from the Inside Out. The authors describe how self leadership, and intentionally influencing oneself, will create the empowering conditions for leaders to achieve their goals.

Nadrew Bryant and Ana Kazan recognize the value of self leadership for those who believe they can live a positive and productive life, and influence those around them to travel the same course. The authors share how a leader must think effectively, behave congruently, and relate in empathetic manner. Through their research and experience, the authors point out that self leadership is needed to achieve all three goals. They also offer the wisdom the the three qualities are also part of what comprises a great human being. The authors provide evidence that in the modern world of flattened hierarchies, global teams, and empowered and and engaged people, a fresh approach to leadership is required. The authors present the concept and practice of self leadership as fulfilling that new style leadership role.


Andrew Bryant (photo left) and Ana Kazan understand that leadership of oneself provides the basic foundation for leading others. For the authors, leadership begins on the inside and is then projected outward to achieve any organizational goals or programs. The practice of self leadership builds the leader's own self confidence level for empowering others to achieve their goals. A self leadership focused individual is also more self aware and is more calm in times of stress, and much more resilient following times of stress or crisis.

The authors point out the positive benefits for the individual from self leadership:

* Self awareness
* Self confidence
* Finding meaning and purpose
* Decreased stress
* Increased happiness
* Better relationships

The authors also share the benefits that self leadership provides for the overall organization:

* Engaged and empowered workforce
* Improved goal setting and results
* Faster and better decision making
* More creativity and innovation
* Reduced conflicts
* Collaborative team efforts

For me, the power of the book is how Andrew Bryan and Ana Kazan combine the theory of self self leadership with the practices and techniques to develop self leadership within oneself. The authors build a solid case for self leadership as the foundation for overall organizational leadership. The principles of self leadership can be taught readily to everyone within the organization. The book contains the necessary practices and exercises to develop self leadership, as well as providing the reasons for developing the skills.

What the leader must do to become a successful leader is to practice the principles outlined in the book. The authors also present the science behind the concept of self leadership. The research findings demonstrate how people learn and benefit from the principles of self leadership. Those principles then expand outward to strengthen and enhance the entire organization.

I highly recommend the personal development breakthrough book Self-Leadership: How to Become a More Successful, Efficient, and Effective Leader from the Inside Out by Andrew Bryant and Ana Kazan, Ph.D., to any leaders at any level of an organization who are seeking a practical and results oriented guide to establishing a solid character based foundation for leadership. This book will not only transform you into a more effective and successful leader, but will empower your entire organization as well.

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