Change Leader

Learning to Do What Matters Most

By: Michael Fullan

Narrated by: Don Hagen

Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

We live in a challenging, complex, inter-connected and unpredictable world, beset by a range of seemingly insoluble problems. But, says Michael Fullan—an internationally acclaimed authority on organizational change—we have an increasing understanding of how to tackle complex change. This involves developing a new kind of leader: one who recognizes what is needed to bring about deep and lasting changes in living systems at all levels. These leaders need a deep understanding of what motivates us as human beings and how we tap into and influence other people's self-motivation.

In his previous best-selling books The Six Secrets of Change, Leading in a Culture of Change, and Turnaround Leadership, Michael Fullan examined the concepts and processes of change.

In Change Leader he turns his focus to the core practices of leadership that are so vital for leading in today's complex world. He reveals seven core practices for today's leaders, all of which appear to be deceptively simple but actually get to the essence of what differentiates a powerful leader from one who is merely competent:

Practice Drives Theory

Be Resolute

Motivate the Masses

Collaborate to Compete

Learn Confidently

Know Your Impact

Sustain Simplexity

Fullan argues that powerful leaders have built bedrocks of credibility, have learned how to identify the few things that matter most, and know how to leverage their skills in ways that benefit their entire organization. The author shows leaders how to avoid policies and strategies that focus on shallow and short-term goals and develop leadership skills for long-term success.

With a wealth of illustrative examples from business, education, nonprofit, and government sectors Change Leader provides a much-needed leadership guide for today's turbulent climate.

©2011 Michael Fullan (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

The best yet.

This audio was not boring at all. I was able to keep up the pace and finish the book appropriately

Intelligent, thought-provoking insights on leaders

In this thought-provoking, insightful audio, the author does an excellent job of combining many elements to convince the listener of how real sustainable change can be achieved. To prove each insight, he presents cases, stories, and studies across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, including The Four Seasons Hotels and Jamie Oliver???s Food Revolution.

As Fullen points out, change is driven by practice, not theory. To bring about lasting change, you need to take action???observe what works and what doesn???t and adjust accordingly.

The author also explains why certain character traits are necessary for leadership, and discusses these traits from the followers??? perspective. For instance, a leader may establish personal relationships with his followers to motivate them towards his goals. Eventually, the followers will motivate each other through cooperative competition among themselves. How followers react to different leadership characteristics told from the followers??? viewpoint makes this audio unique from other leadership books. I highly recommend it.

boring

I rarely stop listening to a book, hoping it will get better. Not so with this. 42 minutes into it and I just can't waste any more time with it. Not interesting message, and the delivery is about as boring as one can get.