Otherwise engaged : how leaders can get a firmer grip on employee engagement and other key intangibles* : if, that is, it were possible to grip something that's intangible

Ask leaders what their biggest challenge is, and they're likely to say: "It's the people part of the job ... the soft stuff ... the so-called intangibles." And for years, honorable, intelligent leaders have been making good-faith, well-funded efforts to address this challenge. But they invariably come up short. And when they do, they try again. And then again. And yet again. Otherwise Engaged shines a bright light on the cause of this challenge: a fundamental misunderstanding of the true nature of the intangibles. It's a how-to book in that it focuses on the too-often overlooked first step in any such effort: How to stop doing the things that cause people to dis-engage. Once leaders gain a better, deeper understanding of the true nature of the intangibles, they'll discover that they already know what to do in order to be more effective in this domain. No need to master new knowledge or techniques. No need for the excess baggage that comes with big, organization-wide programs or initiatives. Otherwise Engaged shows leaders how to get a grip on the intangibles. Through a story told in a light, humorous style, the author helps readers discover what the problem is. In the process, they'll develop a felt need to challenge the assumptions under which they've been working and to become more open to the possibility of considering a different way. Readers will discover: -How to recognize and embrace the fact that the Intangibles are ... intangible -Why employee engagement can be a trap and how to avoid it -How to create a culture where employees feel empowered -Why leaders so often do the wrong things to elicit trust and respect -Why good faith efforts to promulgate values throughout an organization can be ineffectual and, in some cases, even damaging The book offers specific, prescriptive steps to more effectively deal with the intangibles, showing readers how to become Otherwise Engaged: by adopting an approach to engagement that's other than the traditional one, and by insuring that this approach has a laser-sharp focus on how what's done (and not done) and said (and not said) affects the other person Advance praise: "An engagingly funny fable that John Guaspari uses to guide the reader to answer the profoundly serious question posed by the book Why do employee engagement activities often fail? . . . Thought-provoking and charming." -- Jim Kouzes, Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, and coauthor of the bestselling book, The Leadership Challenge. "Pick up this book. You will learn that a wise leader doesn't try to motivate people but rather understands 'the intangibles' that motivate us all." -- David Dotlich, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, Pivot Leadership and author of The Unfinished Leader and 10 other leadership books "Otherwise Engaged is vintage Guaspari: clever and entertaining while also substantive, thought-provoking, and wise." -- Dan Ciampa, co-author of Right From The Start: Taking Charge In A New Leadership Role "Anyone in a position of leadership at any level would be well advised to take the advice John provides in Otherwise Engaged." -- Gen. James B. Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia This is a fun book that packs a powerful message all business leaders must hear to finally engage their people." -- David Casullo, President, Bates Communications, and author of Leading the High Energy Culture "John Guaspari's latest book Otherwise Engaged is a must-read in today's highly packaged, productized, and transactional business environment. It reminds anyone who aspires to fully lead others that they must genuinely unleash (rather than pay lip service to) the vital intangibles of engagement and respect." -- Paul Allen, Chairman, Allen & Gerritsen and multiple awardee: "One of the Best Places to Work in Boston" "Otherwise Engaged should be required reading for anyone in a leadership position -- in any type of organization. Youll come away understanding how critically important employee engagement is to the achievement of personal and business objectives. And John Guaspari's writing style and wit make it an easy and enjoyable read." -- Walter J. Flaherty, former COO and CFO, New England Aquarium ABOUT THE BOOK Ask leaders what their biggest challenge is, and they're likely to say: "It's the people part of the job . . . the soft stuff . . . the so-called intangibles." Otherwise Engaged shows leaders how to get a grip on the intangibles. This thought-provoking book reveals: How to recognize and embrace the fact that the Intangibles are ... intangible; Why employee engagement can be a trap and how to avoid it; How to create a culture where employees feel empowered; Why leaders so often do the wrong things to elicit trust and respect; Why good-faith efforts to promulgate values throughout an organization can be ineffectual and, in some cases, even damaging. Using humor and metaphor and providing clear, specific actions that a new or experienced leader can take, Guaspari shows us that, in the PowerPoint world of analysis and logic that permeates most organizations, it's really our humanity and feelings of trust, respect, and safety that generate commitment and therefore performance. "Ask leaders what their biggest challenge is, and they're likely to say: "It's the people part of the job ... the soft stuff ... the so-called Intangibles." And for years, honorable, intelligent leaders have been making good-faith, well-funded efforts to address this challenge. But they invariably come up short. And when they do, they try again. And then again. And yet again. Otherwise Engaged shines a bright light on the cause of this challenge: a fundamental misunderstanding of the true nature of the Intangibles. It's a how-to book in that it focuses on the too-often overlooked first step in any such effort: How to stop doing the things that cause people to dis-engage. Once you gain a better, deeper understanding of the true nature of the intangibles, you'll discover that you already know what to do in order to be more effective in this domain. No need to master new knowledge or techniques. No need for the excess baggage that comes with big, organization-wide programs or initiatives. Otherwise Engaged shows you how to get a grip on the Intangibles. Through a story told in a light, humorous style, the author helps you discover what the problem is. In the process, you'll develop a felt need to challenge the assumptions under which you've been working and to become more open to the possibility of considering a different way. You will discover: How to recognize and embrace the fact that the Intangibles are ... intangible ; Why employee engagement can be a trap and how to avoid it ; How to create a culture where employees feel empowered ; Why leaders so often do the wrong things to elicit trust and respect ; Why good faith efforts to promulgate values throughout an organization can be ineffectual and, in some cases, even damaging. The book offers specific, prescriptive steps to more effectively deal with the Intangibles, showing you how to become Otherwise Engaged: by adopting an approach to engagement that's other than the traditional one, and by ensuring that this approach has a laser-sharp focus on how what's done (and not done) and said (and not said) affects the other person."-- Provided by publisher Ask leaders what their biggest challenge is, and they're likely to say:'It's the people part of the job... the soft stuff... the so-called intangibles.'Otherwise Engaged shines a bright light on the cause of this challenge: a fundamental misunderstanding of the true nature of intangibles, like engagement, empowerment, respect. The book focuses on the too-often overlooked first step in any such effort: How to stop doing the things that cause people to dis-engage. Once you gain a better, deeper understanding of the true nature of the intangibles, you'll discover that you already know what to do in order to be more effective in this domain. Through a story told in a light, humorous style, the author helps you discover what the problem is. You'll learn why good faith efforts to promulgate values throughout an organization can be ineffectual and, in some cases, even damaging. In the process, you'll develop a felt need to challenge the assumptions under which you've been working and to become more open to the possibility of considering a different way.