Chess Not Checkers

Elevate Your Leadership Game

By: Mark Miller

Narrated by: Joe Bronzi

In his latest business fable, top leadership author Mark Miller tells the story of newly appointed CEO Blake Brown, who takes over a company distressed by poor performance and low morale. Nothing Blake learned from his previous job seems to help him deal with the bigger, more complex problems he now faces. The game has changed. As his new mentor points out, Blake is playing a simple game of checkers when he should be playing chess. Miller uses this metaphor to show how leaders can encourage deep, strategic thinking throughout an organization and utilize the unique abilities of each employee (bishops move differently than knights). He explains how to apply the "chess not checkers" mentality in four critical areas: leadership development, employee engagement, organizational alignment, and execution. This is an appealing, accessible guide to helping all leaders think ahead, plan their moves, and avoid getting checkmated by circumstances or competitors.

©2015 Mark Miller (P)2015 Mark Miller

For Every Leader

Mark's remarkable storytelling and practical explanations keep it simple and clear for any aspiring leader to follow. Even seasoned leaders can find something in these words to support their organization. Whether a high school student or a top-notch CEO, the challenges outlined here are vague at times and deeply specific at others, but overall, it's worth taking a couple of hours to invest in your leadership.

It's okay

It's good because it's concise but it's very banal and naive in my opinion so 4 stars not 5...but good job overall

Best Leadership book of the year!

Mark Miller again has hit a home run! People minimize the work leadership and Mark helps show the difference between "managing" and "leading"

strategy wise, very simple yet complicated ideas,

just heard it for the third time and every time get something new. strongly recommend it

A must read for all leaders!

Mark Miller didn't exceptional job of understanding the key moves of extraordinary companies lead by incredible leaders!

The analogy of business being more like just not checkers is absolutely brilliant! This book is a must read for anybody in leadership wants to personally improve their leadership as well as their organization's capacity to to excel and achieve greater success.

Great job Mark, keep researching and keep writing!

Some good and some bad

Any additional comments?

So you have to suspend disbelief a bit to get past the storyline, but if you can do that its a really good listen. Good suggestions, but I do wish they would have gotten a little deeper into some other strategies to overcome pushback or challenging staff.

Excellent Parable

I’m reading the series out of order but all of the books provide incredible practical insight. The books specialize in concept in an action oriented manner. The format makes it easy for the reader to read the books periodically and reflect.

Love Mark Miller Books!

I love Mark Miller books because they are succinct but pack a lot of leadership advice and experience! Anyone who leads should read this book!

Content

Awesome points and ideas. Easy to you and very beneficial. It will help all leader types.

Parable

I greatly appreciate the captivating story line that is woven around the concepts, lessons and practices. The great story carries these elements without drowning them out. However, it would have been great to see Blake face and work through challenges more painstakingly, substantial and methodical way.