The Power of One : Leading with Civility, Candor, and Courage

Praise for the Power of One . Every leader is focused on how to embrace the significant shifts happening in the workplace and in society at large, which are impacting the future of work and the way we connect. The challenge is to find the best path forward. The key to understanding how to tap into your own individual power and influence is through Natasha’s framework: civility, candor, courage, and consciousness. One person CAN make a difference in all aspects of their life, and Natasha provides a helpful guide, through powerful examples, to show you the path to embracing your incredible Power of One. Marla Kaplowitz, 4A’s, President & CEO The Power of One: Leading with Civility, Candor, and Courage is a journey of personal power and intentional influence. A better world, workplace, and community begins with you. You are the "it" factor. You have the power to use your everyday words and actions to influence extraordinary change in the workplace and beyond. It only takes ONE to make a difference. COVID-19, #MeToo, George Floyd―the events and movements of recent years have left us all with a hunger for positive change in every aspect of our lives. Yet most of us think we’re powerless to affect change. This book was written to combat that lie. Within these pages, you’ll find out the truth about who you are, what you have to offer, and how you can cultivate the power within you to create a new, positive dynamic in your home, office, neighborhood, and the world. Through powerful storytelling, Natasha Bowman provides meaningful and practical examples of how to build a life marked by civility, candor, and courage, as well as how to lead and develop cultures in which those virtues are on full display. You’ll learn how to shape power dynamics that are inclusive and diverse as you become an advocate for true equity. Most importantly, you’ll discover how to change lives for the better―starting with your own. Natasha Bowman is an expert in workplace equity and is recognized as a 2020 Top 30 Global Guru for Management. With her consulting firm, Performance ReNEW, she works with high-profile companies and organizations to gear them up for inclusive success in today’s diverse and demanding world. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents About the Author Introduction Author’s Note 1 Asleep at the Wheel: The Dangers of the Default Mode Stuck in Default Wake Up and Drive Conclusion 2 The Power You Don’t Think You Have Do You Have the Power? A Distinction That Makes All the Difference Conclusion Note 3 For Such a Time as This Something Better Than an Ally From Allyship to Ourship Owning and Spending Your Power Conclusion Notes 4 The Three C’s of Influence Influence and the Power of One The Shape of Powerful Influence Civility: Human Beings in Corporate Space Candor: Getting Clear on What It Means to be Transparent Courage: Being Courageous Conclusion Notes 5 What Is Civility? Civility and the Power of Citizenship What Civility Looks Like Are You Really Civilized? Conclusion Notes 6 Incivility and the Impact of Bad Citizenship The Cost of Incivility What Makes for a Bad Corporate Citizen? Biased Citizenship and the Danger of a Single Story The First, the Only, and the Power of One Conclusion Notes 7 How to Become a Model Citizen Looking for Civility in an Uncivil World Recovering the Virtue of Civility Practicing Virtue: How to Become a Civil Person Ten Practices for Cultivating Civility Conclusion Notes 8 Creating a Culture of Civility Defining Civility and Pursuing It Together Exercise: Draft Your Civil Constitution The Promise of a Civil Culture at Work and in the Community Conclusion: A Plea for Civility Notes 9 What Is Candor? What Is Candor? The Case for Candor The Tension: Civility or Candor? Conclusion Notes 10 Nothing Good Grows in the Dark Out of the Church and into the Corporate World Darkened and Darkening Habits Candy-Coated Feedback Fungal Growth The Untouchables Litigation “At Will” Conclusion Notes 11 How to Let Your Light Shine Candor Starts with Honesty about Ourselves Shining a Light on Our Privilege Recovering the Virtue of Candor Practicing Virtue: How to Become a Candid Person Ten Practices for Cultivating Candor Conclusion Note 12 Creating a Culture of Candor Woody, Buzz, and the Braintrust From Cartoons to Cultures Model Candor Invite Candor Protect Candor Create Venues for Candor Develop Relationships Establish Guidelines Expect the Truth Inequities The Promise of a Candid Culture at Work and in the Community Conclusion: A Plea for Candor Notes 13 What Is Courage? Courage: A Matter of the Heart Courage and the Power of One The Workplace Needs Our Courage Conclusion Notes 14 The Curse of a Faint Heart Leading from Fear Leading with Fear The Personal and Professional Cost of Cowardice Conclusion 15 The Firm Handshake The Three Traits of a Courageous Leader Recovering the Virtue of Courage Practicing Virtue: How to Become a Courageous Person Ten Practices for Cultivating Courage Conclusion 16 Creating a Culture of Courage The Courage to Stand Together The Cardiomyopathy That Wrenches Us Apart The Four Essential Building Blocks of a Courageous Culture Conclusion Note 17 Conclusion Man Meets Mob A Model Citizen What Comes out of Darkness into the Light A Heart to Stand with and for Others One Final “C” Acknowledgements Index This book speaks into that desire for change and against that sense of powerlessness, equipping its readers to exercise a powerful influence in their workplaces to remove the systemic barriers that exist for themselves and others.