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Credit: Dr. Karol M. Wasylyshyn
The candidate is bright, personable, accomplished and yes, even charismatic. But how do you tell if she is the real thing or another narcissistic masquerade? During these difficult times when economic recovery in all spheres depends upon solid leadership it is important to differentiate among those who would pull us down further and those who might guide us back toward success. Licensed psychologist and executive coach Dr. Karol Wasylyshyn of the Leadership Development Forum clearly lays out how to spot the three main types of leaders in Behind the Executive Door: Unexpected Lessons for Managing Your Boss and Career.
This comprehensive look at identifying good leaders and supporting them in their continued growth is based on solid methodology and more than 25 years of consulting to C-level executives in Fortune 500 and privately held companies. "The more employees and leaders understand about the 'how' of leadership – the better they will negotiate and thrive in this era of intense behavioral scrutiny of leaders," writes Dr. Wasylyshyn.
Behind the Executive Door coaches employees in managing the three executive leader types – Remarkable, Perilous and Toxic – and shows how to deepen a positive, learning relationship with a Remarkable boss; reinforce best behavior and lessen discontented behaviors with a Perilous boss; and minimize a Toxic supervisor's destructive effects on you and perhaps others.
The Remarkable leader, who is attuned, active and well-grounded, needs you to:
- Discover the power of establishing a reciprocal relationship by replacing "What's in it for me?" with "What's in it for us?"
- Be an ambassador by reinforcing her strategy throughout the organization.
- Act as a talent scout ensuring that the team is populated by "A" players.
The Perilous leader, who is intelligent, insecure and moody, needs you to:
- Reduce their sense of "unrequited work" by emphasizing their contributions and accomplishments in the company.
- Clothe the emperor by keeping it real in regards to employees' issues and concerns.
- Keep your boss focused on the power of providing positive affirmation and feedback.
The Toxic leader, who is suspicious, arrogant and cold, needs you to:
- Leverage "peerage" through frequent and open communication with your peers.
- Develop and apply "internal locus of control" – a deepened belief that you can control your own destiny through clarity about and confidence in your talents, experiences and accomplishments.
- Decide if it's in your best interest to stay or to go.
By using scientific studies and powerful metaphors as expressed in her free verse or "executive vignettes," Dr. Wasylyshyn shows how this knowledge can influence more focused and accurate decisions about leaders, and guide all of us in consistent pursuit of being remarkable.
Karol M. Wasylyshyn
Behind the Executive Door
Unexpected Lessons for Managing Your Boss and Career
2012. XIII, 174 pp. 12 illus, 11 in color
Softcover $19.95, €19.95, £17.99
ISBN 978-1-4614-0375-3