The Square and the Triangle

The Power of Integrating Relationships and Results in Workplace Culture

By: Mark Stevens

Narrated by: Mark Stevens

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

If you want both results and relationships in your leadership style, this is your guide.

Leadership doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming, but as a leader, you may feel it is both. The Square and the Triangle is the model to clear the clutter.

To be a leader, you need to do two things: build relationships with people and get results. Simple yet powerful.

The Square and the Triangle approach uses two competencies to cover the entire leadership landscape:

• The Square - Relationships
• The Triangle - Results

You are naturally better at either results or relationships in leadership. Once you know that, you can pick up what you need to know to get the job done - and build on it to create your own style for impact, clarity, and less stress, every day.

"Being a better leader really can be simple. Mark Stevens has devised a fabulous way to be the leader you were meant to be." - LaVay Lauter, vice president, director of Talent Development, Baird

©2017 Mark Stevens (P)2017 Mark Stevens

So useful

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, I've read a lot of books about leadership and relationships and I was expecting something that said much the same things. That's not what I got, this book is different, far from the complicated models on most books this books concept is simple and easy to understand and apply. I wish I'd found this book and it's concept years ago.

It's simplicity is what has made it so easy to apply it my life, most books I find a gem or two in, but with this book it was all useful and all usable, both for understanding my strengths and for understanding the behaviors of other people.

Having the author as the narrator worked really well, his passion for the subject comes through, it was engaging to listen to.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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Great Leadership Book

I enjoyed listening to this book and love the insight the authors shares. I love the out of the box thinking and am always looking to grow, both in my professional life, but also my personal life.

I normally do not enjoy when authors narrated their own books, however, Mark did a pretty good although did speak a little fast-but nothing crazy.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

KISS (an audio review)

Keep It Simple Stupid. (My choice of words.) Mark Stevens has a theory of leadership that covers two competencies. His says they are basic – build relationships and get results. There is something to be said of the simplicity of them. Leadership encompasses many aspects of our lives – not just the CEO of a large organization. Mark challenges assumptions about how leaders can achieve the best results possible – not just for themselves but for their organizations as well. The first few minutes establishes the relationship between the square and the triangle so paying close attention is important. On instinct I know I’m more of a square and there was advice on how to strengthen my triangle skills as well as advice on how to improve if you’re a sharp triangle.

Some of the advice was actionable – and in fact he encourages action. He suggests dedicating time every week to the improvement of these skills because otherwise time always slips away and the personal growth never happens. He also talks about loving leadership – something that can feel counterintuitive, especially if you’re not a natural leader. He also gives plenty of suggestions on how to build a strong team. Again, practical suggestions.

Mark narrates the book and his enthusiasm for the subject is clear. Sometimes I’m leery of authors who narrate but Mark’s natural oratory skills carry well through the book and I enjoyed listening to it.

IMPACT AND APPLICABILITY!

I listened to this book during my commute. This book kept me thinking, assessing, and drove me to challenge how I approach leadership development. As a leader of leaders the simplicity of relationships and results, the foundation of this book, will give my team simple actionable solutions for continued growth and progression. Just what I need as a results oriented leader who tries very hard to leverage relationships. OUTSTANDING JOB MARK!

A simple but effective appraoach

In 'The Square and the Triangle' Mark Stevens distills down the complex approaches to leadership training (some of which, as he mentions, can have scores of competencies to test against) down to two competencies - relationships or results. In his teaching all competencies, inefficiencies or issues come down to one of these two things. Rather than casting a wide net of dozens of very specific items, he suggests to distill the issues down to these. Then you can look at in depth improving the one that you don't automatically gravitate to.

Rather than the typical 'strengths' and 'weaknesses' language Stevens uses a natural proclivities approach, where you will gravitate to either relationships (the square) or results (the triangle). Both are important.To put one before the other can create instabilities and gaps. But recognising which one you naturally do, you can look at how you can improve, and balance, the other.

Steven's narrates his own book here. He does a fine job. Nothing outstanding, but good. He is a little quicker paced in his narration, but nothing problematic. Generally good, clear and easy to follow.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.