Apples are square : thinking differently about leadership : the 6 critical values that are changing the way we lead and succeed

**Your 7-step prescription for creating a compassionately competitive work culture For centuries, leaders have been operating within a “control and compete” mindset. But times are changing. More and more, at the helm of successful companies, you’ll find a different sort of leader. Collaborators, not controllers, they are “square apples,” bold men and women who dare to create success by reshaping the workplace in unexpected ways. In __Apples Are Square , innovation consultants and celebrated authors Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski and Thomas D. Kuczmarski share with you the secrets of how to become a square apple in your organization. To develop their groundbreaking strategy for success, the authors interviewed dozens of leadership pioneers, including Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist; Mary Ellen Weber, former NASA astronaut; and NFL star Chris Zorich, whose personal story inspired the title of this book. With the tools in __Apples Are Square , you’ll be able to take any bruised environment and reshape it into a positive force.____**

Your 7-step prescription for creating a compassionately competitive work culture

For centuries, leaders have been operating within a “control and compete” mindset. But times are changing. More and more, at the helm of successful companies, you’ll find a different sort of leader. Collaborators, not controllers, they are “square apples,” bold men and women who dare to create success by reshaping the workplace in unexpected ways.

In Apples Are Square, innovation consultants and celebrated authors Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski and Thomas D. Kuczmarski share with you the secrets of how to become a square apple in your organization. To develop their groundbreaking strategy for success, the authors interviewed dozens of leadership pioneers, including Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist; Mary Ellen Weber, former NASA astronaut; and NFL star Chris Zorich, whose personal story inspired the title of this book. With the tools in Apples Are Square, you’ll be able to take any bruised environment and reshape it into a positive force.

Publishers Weekly

The Kuczmarskis, a pair of business consultants, trainers and authors, deliver a lackluster primer on the personal and managerial strategies of 25 people from many walks of life. A few are famous, such as Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway scooter), Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist, the Internet classified ad service) and actress Susan Anton. Most are less well-known CEOs, political activists, educators, arts administrators and someone who calls himself an "esoteric healer." But for such an eclectic group, there are few unusual insights. Most of their ideas come across as platitudes about the importance for leaders of such traits as humility, compassion, transparency and inclusiveness. Many of the anecdotes and inspirational homilies are retreads, though a few are intriguing-for example, the story of how Rep. Jan Schakowsky got started in public life as a crusader for freshness dating on food packages. But even interesting stories often lack a compelling point-Schakowsky's tale, for example, appears in a chapter about encouraging one's colleagues. This attempt to offer "chicken soup for the leader's soul" provides thin gruel. (July)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Contents......Page 6 About the Authors......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 Defining THE Characteristics of Success......Page 22 1 Apples Are Square......Page 24 2 A New Success Model......Page 34 3 Humility......Page 46 4 Compassion......Page 56 5 Transparency......Page 74 6 Inclusiveness......Page 88 7 Collaboration......Page 104 8 Values-Based Decisiveness......Page 118 Activating THE Seven Steps to Change......Page 134 9 Step 1—Reach Out to Serve Others......Page 136 10 Step 2— Ask, “Who Am I?”......Page 152 11 Step 3— Ask, “Who Are You?”......Page 166 12 Step 4— Find Common Ground......Page 178 13 Step 5—Don’t Take the Pleats Out......Page 194 14 Step 6— Root for People......Page 208 15 Step 7—Leave Some Money on the Table......Page 222 16 Lift People Up......Page 236 Epilogue: The Peopleship Planet......Page 246 Index......Page 252 "For centuries, leaders have been operating within a "control and compete" mindset. But times are changing. More and more, at the helm of successful companies, you'll find a different sort of leader. Collaborators, not controllers, they are "square apples," bold men and women who dare to create success by reshaping the workplace in unexpected ways. In Apples are Square, innovation consultants and celebrated authors Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski and Dr. Thomas D. Kuczmarski share with you the secrets of how to become a square apple in your organization"--BOOK JACKET