Poised for Excellence : Fundamental Principles of Effective Leadership in the Boardroom and Beyond

This book is an exceptional resource for leaders at every level across industries. An insightful guidebook comprised of 40 illuminating principles showcasing the fundamental competencies that impact performance in the boardroom and beyond, each chapter includes the following core components: 1) a robust, but succinct discussion introducing each principle; 2) key strategies providing straightforward guidance on how to master each principle; 3) a selection of thoughtful journal questions that allow for meaningful introspection, and finally, 4) a leadership challenge—a stretch goal—that brings each principle into immediate, scalable focus. Whether a seasoned or emerging leader, each reader will discover useful perspectives contained within each chapter designed to firmly orient their thinking and behavior towards leadership excellence. An enduring resource for circumstances in which every leader will inevitably find him or herself confronting, it will also serve as the “go to” professional development resource for elevating leadership brands and facilitating the necessary trench work required to develop competent and confident leaders regardless of industry or expertise. Different from traditional books that provide a one-dimensional view of what leadership is and do little more than categorize existing traits, __Poised for Excellence__ breaks the mold. It creates the context for understanding leadership development as a holistic process: By focusing on the mastery of fundamental principles structured to develop the whole person through service to self and others, it ignites an evolutionary process that cultivates 360 degrees of effective leadership. It directs readers to stake a bold claim to their success and transform the way they show up in the boardroom and beyond. __Poised for Excellence__ was written to nurture the leadership potential in business leaders who desire to operate in excellence and believe that learning and practice are non-negotiable aspects of leadership success. Front Matter ....Pages i-xiv Front Matter ....Pages 1-1 Exceptional Leaders Are Lifelong Learners (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 3-8 Emotional Intelligence Drives Leadership Success (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 9-16 Get Out of Your Way and Stop Sabotaging Your Success (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 17-22 You Are Your Own Best Barometer (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 23-28 You Are Your Competition (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 29-34 Integrity, Transparency, and Ethical Behavior Always Matter (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 35-40 Leaders Create the Best Version of Themselves Without Apology (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 41-47 World-Class Leaders Lead by Example (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 49-54 Leaders Own Their Mistakes and Embrace Constructive Criticism (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 55-60 Visionary Leaders Eliminate “the Box” (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 61-66 Front Matter ....Pages 67-67 Strive for Progress, Not Perfection (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 69-74 “True Grit” Beats Passion (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 75-80 Work Smarter, Not Harder (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 81-86 Prepare for War in Times of Peace (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 87-92 Turn “Shoulds” into “Musts” (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 93-97 Lead with Influence, Not Authority (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 99-104 Reboot and Relax (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 105-109 Always Look for the Silver Lining (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 111-115 See the Forest and the Trees (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 117-122 Think of Fear as an Ally (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 123-128 Front Matter ....Pages 129-129 Honor Human Relationships (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 131-136 Use “Honey” to Catch Flies, Not Vinegar (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 137-142 Give Credit Where It Is Due (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 143-147 Promote Fairness and Consistency (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 149-153 Confront Workplace Bullies (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 155-161 Collaborate with Experts to Maximize Results (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 163-168 Challenge the Status Quo (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 169-174 Leverage Leadership Ethos to Shape Culture (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 175-180 Practice Tolerance (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 181-186 Create a Vision that Inspires (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 187-191 Front Matter ....Pages 193-193 Delegate! (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 195-200 Master Effective Decision Making (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 201-206 Pull Up Weeds By Their Roots (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 207-212 Say “No” and Own It (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 213-218 Distinguish Management from Leadership (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 219-224 Acknowledge the Elephant in the Room (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 225-231 Leverage Your Professional Wheelhouse (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 233-237 Come Down from the Ivory Tower (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 239-244 Sharpen Your Communication Skills (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 245-250 Encourage Leading at All Levels (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 251-257 Conclusion (Karima Mariama-Arthur)....Pages 259-270 Back Matter ....Pages 271-283 A resource for leaders at every level across industries, this guidebook comprises 40 illuminating principles showcasing the fundamental competencies that impact performance in the boardroom and beyond