This September we started the month with the statement that learning is not just for kids.   I promised you a look behind the scenes at some great books that we grown ups can use as tools to tune up our leadership and business skills.  That’s right, the kids are not the only ones who have the opportunity to  learn something new this Fall.  

We started the series with a look at Amilya Antonetti’s The Recipe a fable for leaders and teams. Antonetti’s book is a fable, set in a fictional bakery – demonstrating leadership lessons through the eyes and experiences of the characters.    Now let’s shift gears and look at what happens when you study real life bosses up close and personal.  That’s just what Stanford Professor Robert I. Sutton has done in his new book, Good Boss Bad Boss:  How to be the best…and learn from the worst. 

Sutton is no newbie on my business bookshelf.  His last book, The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t was a  smash hit in management circles this year.  As a matter of fact, he got so much feedback from The No Asshole Rule that Good Boss, Bad Boss was written as a result.   Dr. Sutton was kind enough to reach out to me on Twitter (he’s @work_matters ) and to share an early copy with me before the official launch  this September 7th.  So, I got a head start in reading the book.  What a treat! Good Boss, Bad Boss is a great read – full of real life stories and situations that many of us can relate to from our own workplace experiences.  I’ll tell you more in a bit, but first, here’s a clip where you can hear more about the book from Bob Sutton himself: 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmp-4l_Gfr0&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]

(video credit: Stanford Graduate School of Business – via YouTube video link)

Dr. Sutton’s guest posts at The Harvard Business Review have always been favorites of mine because he does not just spout theory or opinion, he bases his statements on real people and real life examples. Good Boss, Bad Boss follows this same winning formula. 

As bosses we all have to do a bit of a balancing act, and I loved the example of the see-saw with “love” in one side and “$” on the other that he shared in his discussion about David Kelley, Chairman and CEO of IDEO.  (I’ve been a big IDEO fan for years and hope that someday I have the opportunity to work with them at one on my companies.)

Further in there is a great reminder to all of us to “Protect Yourself from the Energy Suckers.” (p.120-121) This is one of the lessons I have learned the hard way over my career.  If only I had read this chapter a few years ago!

In Chapter 7 – “Don’t Shirk from the Dirty Work” I found great examples including stories about experiences Ann Rhoades  (founder of PeopleINK and another of my favorite leaders) had at Southwest and later at Jet Blue that illustrate that how you deal with a tricky situation makes all the difference. 

Well, I’m getting close to my word limit (self imposed) or I could go on and on.  But the point is to give you a taste so you will want to check out this book.  Hopefully I have succeeded in whetting your appetite.  It really is worth the read.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned… There are more peeks inside some great business books coming this September.

Joan Koerber-Walker

Here in Arizona the kids have already headed back to school.  In other parts of the country, summer vacation may extend to after Labor Day.  But one way or another, by mid September over 50 million Americans will be heading into the classroom. For them their days will be filled with lessons, books, and homework.  It’s time to for the kids to dedicate themselves to learning new things.

For those of us who have left our school years behind us, we can still make a commitment to learn new things this September.

Gain New Insights with the Kolbe

In August, we profiled inventor and innovator Kathy Kolbe.  Kathy and her team have been helping leaders and their teams learn about their conative and how together they can get more done for over 20 years.  You can take the Kolbe A™ Index  by clicking the line (purchase required) to learn about how you naturally get things done. Kathy shares great insights in the information that comes with your index results.  In addition, if you DM your results to me @JKWgrowth , I will be happy to review them with you also as a thank you for visiting us here on the blog.

Read a great book

This summer I had the chance to preview some great books including the latest from Amilya Antonetti, Rebel Brown, Clate Mask, Bob Sutton, and Marty Zwilling.  Stay tuned throughout the month of September when I will be sharing reviews of these great books – you might want read them too!

Sign up for a conference

The Fall is a great time to reconnect with thought leaders and your community at a conference.  Once of my favorites is the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference.  This year AZEC10 will be held on November 17th in Phoenix, Arizona, but you can save money by registering in September’s Early Bird Registration.  This year’s speaker line up is one of the best yet.  You can see for yourself by clicking here.

Challenge yourself to learn something new.

So, what will your learning opportunity be this Fall?  As the kids head back to school, join me in committing to learning something new this September.  Share your commitment here by leaving a comment, and we can inspire each other and all learn together.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…

Joan Koerber-Walker

Disclosures:  Joan Koerber-Walker is chairman of the board of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation which hosts AZEC10, is a certified Kolbe Consultant, and may have received complimentary review copies of the books listed from the authors mentioned.

“There are three gauges nations can tune to compete.

• Investing in good education produces smart people.
• Investing in research and development produces smart ideas.
• And, creating the right environment in which smart people can develop smart ideas.

These steps would stimulate economic growth, jobs and new opportunities including future collaborations among private industry, government and academia.”   (Intel Corporation’s Chairman Craig Barrett at the Opening of CEBIT the world’s largest technology trade show – March 3, 2009)

Whether we are speaking of nations, states, communities, or companies, these three points hold true.  Smart People developing Smart Ideas, in an environment that supports them, make all the difference.

You don’t have to be as big as Intel to put some force behind turning these three gauges.  There are so many people in Arizona doing great things.  Check back on these posts for examples:

• Want Growth – Diversify
• The Five C’s of Growth
• The Economy – Your Economy
• Getting by with a little help