University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Leadership Two Words at a Time
Book

Leadership Two Words at a Time

Simple Truths for Leading Complicated People

Bill Treasurer
Berrett-Koehler, 2022
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Applicable
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Stepping into your first leadership position can feel overwhelming and intimidating. You’ll welcome good advice when you suddenly face multiple responsibilities and a steep learning curve. That’s why Bill Treasurer’s excellent book should be mandatory reading for new leaders – and it’s a good refresher for any leader. The author uses two-word phrases to highlight key leadership concepts – such as “cultivate composure,” “trust first” and “practice humility” – and shares solid advice gained from decades of rich leadership experience. Treasurer doesn’t waste time with fancy language and theories; he offers suggestions to help new leaders learn and grow. They’ll want to keep his manual within reach.

Summary

New leaders need a steady, experienced hand for the bumpy journey ahead.

Leadership is an onerous responsibility even for veterans, not to mention newly promoted leaders or young people stepping into managerial roles for the first time. Today’s political, economic and social issues complicate already demanding leadership positions.

The post-pandemic legion of remote workers continues to expand, offering more challenges for leaders who want to bring new employees on board, provide personalized feedback and build esprit de corps. Roughly 80% of organizations believe in prioritizing leadership development, according to Development Dimensions Inc.’s global leadership forecast, but only 5% have development plans ready to implement.

You typically earn a promotion to management due to your stellar track record in staff positions, but that record doesn’t automatically qualify you to lead. You may have to figure out your new position with minimal corporate support. You’re responsible for how other people perform, and you’ll have to contend with various personalities. Some people may appreciate...

About the Author

Bill Treasurer, CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) at Giant Leap Consulting, also wrote Leaders Open Doors: A Radically Simple Leadership Approach to Lift People, Profits, and Performance; Right Risk: 10 Powerful Principles for Taking Giant Leaps with Your Life; and A Leadership Kick in the Ass: How to Learn from Rough Landings, Blunders, and Missteps. He and John R. Havlik co-authored The Leadership Killer: Reclaiming Humility in an Age of Arrogance. 

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