Alan S. Berson is an executive coach, leadership consultant, speaker, and professor. He has held leadership, strategic planning, and marketing roles at Fortune-500 firms including Gillette, Bausch & Lomb, and Marriott. He is a Learning Director at Wharton Executive Education and was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. He lives in Potomac, Maryland.

Richard G. Stieglitz is a business consultant and speaker. He started, built, and sold a company that helped government and industry executives lead change. Previously, he was a submarine officer in the US Navy and an executive in the aerospace and computer industries. He is the author of three books and publishes a monthly leadership e-letter. He lives in Potomac, Maryland.

Preface: Are You Having Leadership Conversations? xiii

Part 1 The High-Potential Challenges 1

1 Do You Really Want to Be a Leader? 3

2 What Blend of Management and Leadership Mindsets Is Best? 11

3 Have You Had Leadership Conversations Today? 19

4 Where Do You Stand on the Leadership Ladder? 29

Part 2 Conversations to Build Relationships 35

5 Learn the New Rules 37

6 Your Relationships Define You 47

7 Know Your Strengths and Their Shadows 57

8 People Aren't Machines 65

9 Don't Let Them Assume They Know What You're Thinking 75

10 Embrace Differences 83

Part 3 Conversations to Develop Others 89

11 The Battle for Talent 91

12 The Challenge of Leading Other High Potentials 103

13 Conversations You Must Have 115

14 What Gets in Your People's Way? 127

15 Recognition-Making It All Worthwhile 139

Part 4 Conversations to Make Decisions 147

16 Develop Your Judgment Gene 149

17 What You Know Is Irrelevant 161

18 Be Curious-Ask Great Questions 173

19 If You Can't Change, Retire 187

Part 5 Conversations to Take Action 197

20 Moving Smoothly into Action 199

21 Planning Successful Actions 207

22 When Things Change 215

23 Lessons from Success and Failure 225

24 Inspiring People in Turbulent Times 233

Part 6 Your Leadership Conversations 243

25 Conversations at the Top 245

26 Conversations for Executive Leaders 251

27 Conversations for Managers of Managers 257

28 Conversations for First-Line Managers 263

29 Your Personal Action Plan 269

Notes 275

Bibliography 277

Acknowledgments 281

About the Authors 283

Index 285