Relationships and Results Both Matter
People need to be valued, inspired, guided, and given freedom in order to do their best. Cloud talks about how the leader of a group develops a vision, takes full responsibility for fulfilling that vision, then helps and trusts his employees to fulfill that vision.
Cloud works with Boundaries, principles setting firm guidelines for what is and is not acceptable. His seven leadership boundaries are:
* Help people focus their attention on the things that matter most.
* Build the emotional climate that drives brain functioning.
* Facilitate connections that boost energy and momentum.
* Create organizational thought patterns that limit negativity and helplessness.
* Identify paths for people to take control of the activities that drive results.
* Create high-performance teams organized around the behaviors that drive results.
* Lead yourself in a manner that protects the vision.
Cloud's own vision in the book is encouraging performance and results that will make the leader's vision a reality, and build the employees in their feelings of competence and being *a team.* Obviously this is a win-win-win strategy.
The book is a bit dense explaining the neural reasons for why people do what they do, but helpful, and this lends credibility to why certain actions should be taken. Anecdotes break up the information to demonstrate, in a practical way, how to implement ideas.
Overall, a helpful read for any leader.
NOTE: I received this book from Harper Collins (Book Sneeze program) in exchange for my unbiased review. I was not required to give a positive review.
