Product Description

Remarkable Leadership is a practical handbook written for anyone who wants to hone the skills they need to become an outstanding leader. In this groundbreaking book, Kevin Eikenberry outlines a framework and a mechanism for both learning new things and applying current knowledge in a thoughtful and practical way. Eikenberry provides a guide through the most important leadership competencies, offers a proven method for learning leadership skills, and shows approaches for applying these skills in today’s multitasking and overloaded world of work. The book explores real-world concerns such as focus, limited time, incremental improvement, and how we learn.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109313 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Predicated on the notion that leaders are not born, but are made and remade and made over again, author and consultant Eikenberry provides a guide to honing leadership skills that's succinct and sensible, demonstrating that leading is as much about listening, asking questions and empowering others as it is about charisma and vision. Thirteen chapters enumerate what remarkable leaders do-"learn continually," "communicate powerfully," "influence with impact," "think and act innovatively," etc.-and how they do it. In hopes of narrowing the gap between those who aspire to remarkability and those who've already achieved it, Eikenberry provides plenty of "Now Steps," exercises for evaluating and improving one's position that can be implemented in short order. Obvious but edifying techniques include storytelling practice, journaling and building a network of well-nurtured relationships. Eikenberry also offers online resources ("Bonus Bytes") tied to specific points in the text, available on the book's web site. A solid leadership primer, this book will instruct, if not exactly inspire, anyone looking to manage others more effectively.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
Predicated on the notion that leaders are not born, but are made and remade and made over again, author and consultant Eikenberry provides a guide to honing leadership skills that’s succinct and sensible, demonstrating that leading is as much about listening, asking questions and empowering others as it is about charisma and vision. Thirteen chapters enumerate what remarkable leaders do—"learn continually," "communicate powerfully," "influence with impact," "think and act innovatively," etc.—and how they do it. In hopes of narrowing the gap between those who aspire to remarkability and those who’ve already achieved it, Eikenberry provides plenty of "Now Steps," exercises for evaluating and improving one’s position that can be implemented in short order. Obvious but edifying techniques include storytelling practice, journaling and building a network of well-nurtured relationships. Eikenberry also offers online resources ("Bonus Bytes") tied to specific points in the text, available on the book’s web site. A solid leadership primer, this book will instruct, if not exactly inspire, anyone looking to manage others more effectively. (Sept.) (Publishers Weekly Annex, September 2007)

Review
"Kevin accurately reminds us that whatever our job title or position, we are all leaders—and all have the potential to become truly remarkable. His belief in us and our ultimate success is real and can be read on every page. This belief is inspiring and empowering—as you read these pages his belief in you will build your own belief, an important ingredient in any successful learning journey."
—From the Foreword by Jack Canfield, author of The Success Principles

"Remarkable Leadership is a must-read for anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills. I highly recommend this book."
—Ivan Misner, New York Times bestselling author and founder of BNI

"Kevin is a true believer that leaders can be made. He has identified the key behaviors that remarkable leaders exhibit, and more importantly, he has given us practical ways to develop these behaviors. This book will be encouraging for those who desire to become remarkable leaders."
—Steve Boeckman, president and CEO, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative

"Remarkable leaders are not born—they are made and developed. That's why I loved this book. Kevin Eikenberry shares a set of powerful principles, skills, and action steps that develops leaders at all levels of the organization and anyone aspiring to be a leader. If you want to be a better leader or develop skilled leaders within your organization, then read this practical and powerful leadership manual and follow the action plan."
—Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

"Kevin Eikenberry does a masterful job dissecting the key elements of effective leadership and makes a convincing case that becoming a master leader is always a work in progress, even for remarkable leaders. Becoming an effective leader means becoming an active learner, acquiring skills best mastered through carefully planned activities and practice. This book can help leaders at all levels build and strengthen their leadership skills."
—Vic Lechtenberg, vice provost for Engagement, Purdue University

More Praise for Remarkable Leadership

"Buy this book if you want to read about leadership. Use this book if you want to be challenged to move out of your leadership comfort zone and develop skills that will release your untapped potential.  Kevin has included every competency it takes to be a remarkable leader.  He not only identifies and explains them, but goes on to challenge you to assess and further develop each competency in your life.  From a human developmental standpoint, this book should be required reading, and learning, for anyone assigned the responsibility of being in leadership."
—Greg Shaffer, training supervisor, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

"An important book that combines profound simplicity with practical instructions for leadership greatness.  Buy two copies - one for your desk and one for your bedside. Its poignant lessons will bear fruit at work and at home."
—Chip R. Bell, author of Customer Loyalty Guaranteed

"The best measurement of success is the number of choices available to you. In this book, Kevin Eikenberry infinitely increases those choices for you. Choose to devour this book. It's brilliant!"
—Jim Canterucci, author of Personal Brilliance

"In my assessment, Kevin Eikenberry is leading one of the most powerful and inspiring conversations about leadership now occurring on our planet. Remarkable Leadership brings the reader a concise distillation of all the most useful insights and actions regarding what actually works in leadership into one enjoyable volume. If you ever thought to yourself, ‘I could never be a great leader,’ reading this book will not only change your mind, it will launch you on a journey of fulfillment you hadn’t thought possible. At a time when many are cynical and resigned, Kevin’s book injects fresh new DNA into the intellectual gene pool of possibility. I urge you to read this book. Then go out and make a difference."
—David Chard, regional director, Edelman Asia Pacific Academy

"This book will equip you with all the skills you need to become a remarkable leader. Remarkable leaders can be made, if we choose to live and improve in our strengths zones. Regardless of title, position, or station in life, each of us can become a remarkable leader. This book gives you all the tools you'll need; the only question is, will you choose to use them, or will you settle for being mediocre?"
—Phil Gerbyshak, author of 10 Ways to Make It Great!

"Kevin Eikenberry knows what it takes to be a remarkable leader and shares his secrets, tips, and examples in this compelling and enjoyable book. Remarkable Leadership is elegant, powerful, and actionable. The book is full of excellent self-assessments and stories that illustrate what you can do to improve your impact as a leader. I love that Kevin zooms in on the leadership practices that can supercharge any company environment. Anyone can be a great leader by reading and following his guidance."
—Lisa Haneberg, author of Two Weeks to a Breakthrough and Focus Like a Laser Beam

"I can't think of a better book than Remarkable Leadership to put into the hands of aspiring leaders - or people who want to become more effective leaders. It's well-written, filled with practical suggestions, and, for my money, hits the truly important aspects of leading inside an organization."
—Rick Maurer, author of Beyond the Wall of Resistance and "Change Management News" blog

"What is so remarkable about Remarkable Leadership is that Kevin has found that the key to being a great leader doesn’t have to come with being a remarkable person.  His book can take the ordinary and human in all of us and help us meld ourselves into remarkable leaders.  His book invites all of us to find what kind of leader we can truly be."
—Rusty Rueff, CEO, SNOCAP, Inc.

"One of the most thought-provoking and creative activities I invest in as a leader is to have breakfast with Kevin Eikenberry. Innovative, cost-effective and practical ideas jump out of his head. Now, he has graciously written down an entire book of these ideas around leadership, creating a practical asset for all leaders. Kevin does a great job balancing a leader's need for a checklist with the need for practical tips and tools.  He combines ideas from many leaders melding them into cohesive lessons. For example, he helps you learn the difference between being a good leader who delegates and a great leader who empowers.  This is a book that will help you get from where you currently are as a leader to where you strive to be."
—Lou Russell, bestselling author and president of Russell Martin & Associates

"Kevin's ability to focus, empower and push leaders to a higher standard is what makes his insights illuminating.  He has proven one of our association’s greatest friends and trusted advisors.  I wouldn't just recommend his book.  I recommend you dog ear it, highlight it, scratch random thoughts in it and then buy a copy for your second-in-command as required reading."
—Tony Scelzo, founder of Rainmakers

"When you’re ready to unleash the remarkable leader within you, you must read this book and apply its simple yet profound principles. Kevin Eikenberry has broken down leadership in a bottom line, user-friendly way. By the time you are done with this book, you will realize that personal leadership is both your birthright and natural legacy."
—Tami Walsh, president of TeenWisdom.com

"Reading this book inspires you to want to be a better leader in all aspects of your life. What’s great about the book is that it gives you a hands-on, practical approach that you can use right from Chapter 1 to jumpstart your journey to becoming a truly remarkable leader. Learning is a choice and if you make the choice to read this book, you are investing in yourself; in making yourself a better leader, learner and active participant in the world around you. Remarkable Leadership is like your own leadership playbook for the 21st Century. This book is a must have for all managers and leaders!"
—Michelle Zant, Ph.D., education marketing manager, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions

"Remarkable Leadership aimes to guide readers step-by-step to transform into what many of us want to be--the boss. The book identifies 13 key points, or competencies, from learn continually to set goals and support goal achievement, offering methods of applying each to life. Eikenberry calls this developement The Remarkable Leadership Learning System."--from Forbes.com

Customer Reviews

Remarkably Useful
Kevin Eikenberry makes it clear that leadership can be learned. Remarkable Leadership is a book that I will pick-up again and again to sharpen my skills as a leader. He makes it clear early on that leaders are continous learners and then helps you learn leadership through a straight forward approach.

The online Bonus Bytes are also great

Read it, then keep it nearby and keep on learning as you go.

Comprehensive, common sense approach to leadership development
This book is a great resource for leaders interested in their own development and for those responsible for organizational leadership development efforts.

It is easy to skim, comprehensive in detail, and packed with great tips. I particularly liked the bonus bytes website site for extra resources.

A Remarkable Guide to Leadership Development
Kevin Eikenberry has experience in the real world. It makes this book better. He is an avid learner and experienced trainer. They make this book better. And he's worked with real people one-on-one to help them improve their leadership. That, too, makes this book better.

If you're looking for an informed, practical and effective way to accelerate your own leadership development, you should buy, read, and use Remarkable Leadership. This will also be a good book for you if you're responsible for the leadership development program in a company or for the development of a protégé.

Like the experienced trainer he is, Kevin states his goal at the beginning of the book. "This book is designed to help you identify the parts of your personal leadership package working in your favor and help you develop those parts, and any others you wish to work on, to become the leader you are capable of becoming."

He moves directly from that statement to setting up the material that will fill the rest of the book. He has you do an exercise I've done with groups in training for years: identify a great leader you know and define why you rate them as great or remarkable. Then he shares the core competencies as he sees them. Here's the list.

Remarkable leaders ...

Learn continually
Champion change
Communicate powerfully
Build relationships
Develop others
Focus on customers
Influence with impact
Think and act innovatively
Value collaboration and teamwork
Solve problems and make decisions
Take responsibility and have accountability
Manage projects and processes successfully
Set goals and support goal achievement.

After anchoring his thinking in the principle of building on strength, Eikenberry moves to the next chapter where he discusses leadership development in the real world. His model matches my Apprenticeship Model in all important respects.

The three most important are that most leadership development happens on the job, not in the classroom, good leadership development makes extensive use of feedback, and your boss and other more experienced leaders play a crucial role in your development.

Chapter 3 tells you how to get the most out of the book. Then comes the real meat of the book, a chapter on each of the competencies.

Each chapter includes examples and stories to help you get the concept. There are resources to help you develop. And there are two features that make this book stand out. "Now Steps" offer you suggestions for immediate ways to apply the principle of the chapter. And "Bonus Bytes" give you a link to a web site where more resources and ideas await.

This book is for you if you want a guided way to take charge of your own personal development. You'll get solid information and insight, coupled with learning tools and suggestions for action.

This is also a book for you if you're responsible for the development of leaders in a smaller company or for a protégé. The structure of the material and learning tools should make you more effective at that task.

If you support leadership development in a larger corporation you'll find many good ideas here that you'll be able to incorporate. You should also consider buying multiple copies to share with the working managers in your company to help them assume a mentor role.

Now, who should not buy the book? If you expect to learn leadership from simply reading this or any other book, save your money. Leadership is an apprentice trade and learning it takes work on the job. Remarkable Leadership can help you do it better.