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The DNA of Leadership
Book

The DNA of Leadership

Leverage Your Instincts To Communicate, Differentiate, Innovate

Judith E. Glaser
Platinum Press, 2006
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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Background
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Leadership is an elusive trait. It may be a learned skill or a genetic characteristic, but either way, teaching it to someone who is not a born leader is difficult. The way this book approaches that task is part inspirational, part self-assessment and part New-Age. Author Judith E. Glaser’s DNA leadership concept is a clever, albeit gimmicky idea, using certain “genes” to describe leadership traits. Her system, however, has problems. She holds that it is verboten to criticize or state a negative viewpoint about another person, even if it is warranted. This makes this approach difficult to use in a business setting. The book also is repetitive, however Glaser offers useful surveys and self-assessments. getAbstract acknowledges the value of good leadership, and suggests this book to HR people as a backgrounder.

Summary

Quality Conversations

When managers engage in substantive conversations with employees, doors open to an entirely new realm of opportunity. Companies that foment “vital conversations” can adapt to change, and confront their problems faster and with more creative verve. These conversations unleash employees’ “leadership DNA,” which is a source of vitality and new ideas.

Your staff members can evolve into leaders through a combination of nature and nurture. While some genes may facilitate leadership skills, people also need encouragement, education and direction. In fact, the long-term health of any business depends on encouraging its people to find new solutions and then actually implementing those solutions.

Leaders should mold the psychological environment of their workplaces to encourage active employee participation, meaningful conversation and open relationships that enable people to lead. Good leadership is integral to building a healthy corporate culture and a powerful marketplace brand. To nurture exceptional leaders, treat individuals in a way that encourages their best qualities. This includes fostering their creativity, sustaining their morale and executing...

About the Author

Judith E. Glaser is an executive coach and head of a communication company with extensive corporate clients. She is also the author of Creating WE.

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