A comprehensive blueprint for the enlightened leader
The Leadership Contract is the modern leader's handbook for organizational renewal. Leaders are no longer 'rulers,' nor are they accidental-in today's business climate, leadership is both a trait and a specific set of skills. It's about trust, commitment, communication, and drive. This book shows you how to become the leader your organization needs. You'll go beyond adopting the habits and practices of an effective leader and actually put it in writing to establish a leadership contract that ensures the success of your company. This revised and updated edition includes new coverage of accountability, personal and organizational levels of the leadership contract, new Gut Check summary questions after each chapter, and additional opening and closing remarks to provide key insight into what the leadership role entails.
Recent studies show that only 7 percent of employees have trust and confidence in their senior leaders. How can organizations succeed without the support of their employees? This book aims to build better leaders and establish a true leadership culture that inspires the entire organization.

Learn why a leadership contract is needed and what it entails
Discover the real impact of your decisions and work ethic
Motivate and inspire by making the right connections
Facilitate a vibrant, positive culture that innovates and thrives
Exceptional leadership is the heart of a successful organization. Employees need to be able to trust in the skills, strategy, judgment, and motivation of those steering the ship. The Leadership Contract provides a blueprint for today's leaders, and guides you toward becoming the leader your employees deserve.

A comprehensive blueprint for the enlightened leaderThe Leadership Contract is the modern leader's handbook for organizational renewal. Leaders are no longer "rulers," nor are they accidental--in today's business climate, leadership is both a trait and a specific set of skills. It's about trust, commitment, communication, and drive. This book shows you how to become the leader your organization needs. You'll go beyond adopting the habits and practices of an effective leader and actually put it in writing to establish a leadership contract that ensures the success of your company. This revised and updated edition includes new coverage of accountability, personal and organizational levels of the leadership contract, new Gut Check summary questions after each chapter, and additional opening and closing remarks to provide key insight into what the leadership role entails.Recent studies show that only 7 percent of employees have trust and confidence in their senior leaders. How can organizations succeed without the support of their employees? This book aims to build better leaders and establish a true leadership culture that inspires the entire organization.* Learn why a leadership contract is needed and what it entails* Discover the real impact of your decisions and work ethic* Motivate and inspire by making the right connections* Facilitate a vibrant, positive culture that innovates and thrivesExceptional leadership is the heart of a successful organization. Employees need to be able to trust in the skills, strategy, judgment, and motivation of those steering the ship. The Leadership Contract provides a blueprint for today's leaders, and guides you toward becoming the leader your employees deserve.

Introduction xiRedefining How You Lead xviThe Leadership Contract xviiA Word of Warning xixChapter 1 My Personal Leadership Story 1Is Leadership Worth Dying For? 2Why Are Some Leaders Such Jerks? 8Why Are Many Leaders So Lame? 10Has Anyone Noticed That We've Stopped Talking about Our Values? 12How Do You Create a Vibrant Culture? 13How Do You Lead through Ambiguity? 15Chapter 2 What's Wrong with Leadership Today? 18Leadership Is Disappointing 19Leadership Is Disconnected 22Leadership Is Disgraceful 23How Did We Get Here? 26It's Time We Stop Settling--and Start Expecting More 31Chapter 3 Why We Need a Leadership Contract 33Do You Know What You've Signed Up For? 35The Leadership Contract and Its Four Terms 35Chapter 4 Leadership Is a Decision--Make It 40Why Doesn't Anyone Want to Be a Leader Anymore? 41Why You Need to Make the Leadership Decision 42The Two Kinds of Leadership Decisions 45Big D and small d Leadership Decisions--Clarity and Commitment 49A Real Leadership Decision Is Visceral 52Deciding Not to Lead Is an Important Leadership Decision 54Chapter 5 Leadership Is an Obligation--Step Up 59The Iron Ring Ceremony 60What's It Going to Take? 63The Five Core Obligations of Leadership 65The Five Core Obligations in Action 76Revisiting the Iron Ring Ceremony and What It Means for Leaders 79Final Thoughts--Leadership Is an Obligation 80Chapter 6 Leadership Is Hard Work--Get Tough 82Do We Have Wimps or Leaders in Our Organizations? 83The 10 Ways Leaders Make the Hard Work Harder 85Final Thoughts--It's Time to Get Tough 98Chapter 7 Leadership Is a Community--Connect 100The Missed Opportunity 101We Are Wired for Community 102A Rotting of Zombies 103A League of Heroes 104A Stable of Thoroughbreds 105It's Time to Build a Community of Leaders 107A Strong Community of Leaders--Clarity and Commitment 108Has Everyone Noticed the Change in the Room? 111Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Community Builder? 113Final Thoughts--How Is Help Viewed in Your Organization? 115Chapter 8 Signing the Leadership Contract 117It's Time to Sign the Leadership Contract 119The One Thing You Cannot Do 121Signing the Document 123Final Thoughts--Signing the Leadership Contract 124Chapter 9 The Turning Points of Leadership 126Revisiting the Turning Points of Leadership 127Final Thoughts--The Turning Points of Leadership 137Chapter 10 Living the Leadership Contract 139The Four Foundational Practices for Living the Leadership Contract 141Regular Practices for Living the Leadership Contract 152Final Thoughts--Becoming a Truly Accountable Leader 157Chapter 11 Embedding the Leadership Contract in Your Organization 159Leadership Accountability--A Critical Business Issue 162The Four Strategies to Drive Strong Leadership Accountability 164Final Thoughts: Driving Leadership Accountability 180Conclusion 181Notes 183Acknowledgments 187About the Author 191Index 195