Lions Don't Need to Roar
Book

Lions Don't Need to Roar

Using the Leadership Power of Professional Presence to Stand Out, Fit In, and Move Ahead

Debra A. Benton
Warner Books, 1992
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Debra A. Benton’s book is a guide for making a better impression, exercising power effectively, and developing improved personal relationships at work. In any corporate culture, the goal is paradoxical: you want to fit in and stand out, at the same time. Based on her experience in working with business leaders as a coach, trainer, and consultant, Benton offers a variety of techniques that emphasize personal presentation and communication skills. While the book will appeal primarily to managers, these skills are useful to anyone who wants to get ahead. Benton combines a lively writing style with effective examples. The book includes useful summaries at the end of each chapter and a brief appendix. getAbstract.com recommends it as an excellent book for anyone in a corporate culture, although there is some overlap with topics from Benton’s more recent work, How to Think Like a CEO.

Summary

The Key Qualities of Successful Managers and Executives

To be successful, it is not enough to be competent at what you do. To really be successful and to stay on the top in business, you must have a powerful presence, emotional impact, and an ability to get along with different types of people. You have to communicate well, and have both courage and luck. Based on studies of more than one hundred chief executives, operating officers, and company presidents, these clearly are the traits of top managers. However, anyone can develop these skills.

You also need the high-level energy of successful people. You need the physical energy to meet the "physical requirements of the job." You need the intellectual energy to understand how to best do the job. You need the emotional energy to interact effectively with others. This way, you can control how you affect others and know how to relate to people in different situations. You can make a "positive impression," whatever you are doing.

A Good First Impression Is Crucial

How people perceive you determines their impression of you. Therefore, to be successful, you must make a good first impression. You can control...

About the Author

Debra A. Benton is the head of Benton Management Resources. She provides advice and expertise on professional development to CEOs and managers. She is the author of How to Think Like a CEO.

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