Leadership Transition is a guide for leaders undergoing significant transitions, drawing lessons from post-trauma growth research to help them re-examine their leadership, explore their values, and grow. Author Michael Stanford is a leadership development consultant and founder of SUMMIT LEADERSHIP.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2024
Publisher: LID Publishing

Organizations are experiencing unprecedented levels of fluidity and chaos, with many leaders facing destabilizing experiences at a younger age than ever before. This has led to a popular belief that leaders are merely instruments of the business, and that the task of transitioning into a new role is primarily a matter of becoming an even more useful instrument. However, Leadership Transition, the first book to bring lessons from post-trauma growth research into the realm of leadership development, challenges this assumption. The book is designed for leaders who are undergoing significant transitions in their work, whether they have been promoted to new positions or their organizations are undergoing significant changes. It serves as a guide to help these leaders use uncomfortable and sometimes involuntary disruptions in their work to re-examine their leadership, explore their values, think creatively about the difference they want to make, and ultimately grow.

Organizations Are Becoming More Fluid and Chaotic Than Ever Before

Many leaders face deeply destabilizing experiences at a younger age than in the past. This has led to a popular belief that leaders are merely instruments of the business, and that the task of transitioning into a new role is primarily a matter of becoming an even more useful instrument. However, Leadership Transition, the first book to bring lessons from post-trauma growth research into the realm of leadership development, challenges this assumption. The book is designed for leaders who are undergoing significant transitions in their work, whether they have been promoted to new positions or their organizations are undergoing significant changes. It serves as a guide to help these leaders use uncomfortable and sometimes involuntary disruptions in their work to re-examine their leadership, explore their values, think creatively about the difference they want to make, and ultimately grow.

Popular Writing on Leadership Transitions Assumes That Leaders Are Simply Instruments of the Business

Popular writing on leadership transitions assumes that leaders are simply instruments of the business, and that the task of transitioning into a new role is primarily a task of becoming an even more useful instrument. This assumption is based on the idea that leadership is a set of skills and behaviors that can be learned and applied in a predictable and consistent manner. However, post-trauma growth research has shown that leadership is much more complex and nuanced than this. Leaders who have experienced significant trauma, such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or a personal tragedy, often experience a range of emotions, including fear, anger, sadness, and confusion. These emotions can be overwhelming and can lead to a loss of confidence and motivation. However, post-trauma growth research has also shown that these emotions can be transformed into positive outcomes if leaders are willing to work through them. This transformation process is known as post-traumatic growth.

Leadership Transition Is the First Attempt to Bring Lessons from Post-Trauma Growth Research into the Realm of Leadership Development

Leadership Transition is the first attempt to bring lessons from post-trauma growth research into the realm of leadership development. The book is written by Michael Stanford, a leadership development consultant and founder of SUMMIT LEADERSHIP, which assists organizations through times of significant change. Stanford led Transformational Leadership Practice at Korn Ferry before joining IMD, where he spent nearly 20 years. Michael resides in Switzerland.

The Book Is for Leaders Who Are Undergoing Significant Transitions in Their Work

The book is designed for leaders who are undergoing significant transitions in their work, whether they have been promoted to new positions or their organizations are undergoing significant changes. It serves as a guide to help these leaders use uncomfortable and sometimes involuntary disruptions in their work to re-examine their leadership, explore their values, think creatively about the difference they want to make, and ultimately grow. The book is divided into three sections: Re-Examining Leadership, Exploring Values, and Thinking Creatively about the Difference.

Re-Examining Leadership

The first section of the book focuses on re-examining leadership. Stanford argues that leaders who have experienced significant trauma often lose sight of their values and their purpose. They may become focused on the day-to-day operations of their organization and lose sight of the bigger picture. This can lead to a loss of motivation and a decline in performance. The book provides a framework for leaders to re-examine their values and their purpose and to identify the areas in which they need to focus their efforts. It also provides a range of tools and techniques that leaders can use to re-examine their leadership, including self-reflection, feedback, and coaching.

Exploring Values

The second section of the book focuses on exploring values. Stanford argues that values are the foundation of leadership. They provide a sense of direction and purpose and help leaders make decisions that are consistent with their beliefs and values. However, post-trauma growth research has shown that values can be challenged and transformed in the face of significant trauma. The book provides a framework for leaders to explore their values and to identify the areas in which they need to make changes. It also provides a range of tools and techniques that leaders can use to explore their values, including mindfulness, meditation, and journaling.

Thinking Creatively about the Difference

The third section of the book focuses on thinking creatively about the difference. Stanford argues that leaders who have experienced significant trauma often become stuck in a rut and are unable to think creatively about the difference they want to make. This can lead to a loss of motivation and a decline in performance. The book provides a framework for leaders to think creatively about the difference they want to make and to develop a plan for achieving it. It also provides a range of tools and techniques that leaders can use to think creatively, including brainstorming, problem-solving, and innovation.

Conclusion

Leadership Transition is a valuable resource for leaders who are undergoing significant transitions in their work. It provides a framework for leaders to re-examine their leadership, explore their values, and think creatively about the difference they want to make. By using the tools and techniques provided in the book, leaders can transform the challenges they face into positive outcomes and grow as leaders. Whether you are a leader who has experienced significant trauma or a leader who is facing a new challenge, Leadership Transition can help you achieve your goals.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911687818