Leadership Chronicles of a Corporate Sage : Five Keys to Becoming a More Effective Leader

Rating:
Summary: Simply Profound
Review: A first pass through this book makes it seem too easy to turn from a typical over-achieving, stressed out manager into a true leader. But that is the beauty of the book and Bethanis' insights into leadership coaching. Via the easy-reading, entertaining style we get to see how a few fundamental shifts in perspective, some honest feedback and a few simple tools can make profound changes in the performance and fulfillment of an up-and-comer in today's fast-paced corporate world. Great read for someone seeking self-development, looking to develop team members, or just curious about what corporate coaching is all about. Simple, practical tools are included so there is a mix of story and "how to." This book will serve as a regular reference for me as a leader. Bravo Bethanis!

Rating:
Summary: Practical Wisdom for Managers and Coaches
Review: Required reading for a course I'm taking in executive coaching, this book has something to offer for both managers and coaches. Using direct, elegant prose, Susan provides ways of working with issues commonly experienced by managers and executives in a culture she describes as "interrupt driven". She also offers practical methods for bringing compassion into the workplace, without seeming touchy-feely. I have been a manager, consultant, and small business owner, and view coaching as a key responsibility of managers and leaders. The notion that this key job role may be outsourced is difficult for me. Susan shows how this approach may add value; as she coaches her client, she teaches him to coach his team members. And while Susan's client operates in a global technology firm with 2,800 employees, the leadership values and practices she offers are just as valid for small business owners, who often have to coach themselves -- and who truly know the meaning of "interrupt driven". A wonderful debut!

Rating:
Summary: Leadership Chronicles of a Corporate Sage
Review: Susan Bethanis gives an insightful look at how a manager becomes a leader. Through the eyes of a "Leadership Coach" we are given a first hand look at how coaching works. The lessons shared in this book take most of us a life time to learn. Susan has willingly shared the insights gained in years of coaching experience. Her experiences are weaved into a story about a manager becoming a "Corporate Sage". She takes deep and thoughtful concepts and makes them seem real for the reader. The book represents a fresh look at who we are, and how we communicate. It gives us perspective on how we learn and build relationships, exploring how we envision our futures and look at the world around us. The author shows us how to coach and mentor each other, "in the moment". This book is not just for the corporate world; it is a very worthwhile read for everyone.



Rating:
Summary: Excellent Model for Leadership Coaching
Review: This book provides the reader with a "fly on the wall" perspective of an effective coaching relationship. The reader can better understand the dynamics of the coaching relationship and how real progress is made. Susan models her coaching expertise as she coaches the executive in core leadership skills. An interesting and insightful read for any coach or corporate leader!

Rating:
Summary: Profound wisdom, simply put
Review: This is one of the best books on coaching I have read. It is remarkably substantive, yet concise and exceptionally readable....a diamond in the rough field of coaching books. Bethanis has deftly illustrated both the art and science of the leadership development process. She offers some key aspects and tools for leadership development, and makes an important link between vision/strategic focus and real-time coaching. The last time I got something so substantive out of a coaching book (there are certainly other places for wisdom!) was from James Flaherty's Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others. And, due to his impressive intellect, hip-waders are useful for traversing its conceptual rapids. The simplicity of Corporate Sage makes it all the more profound. This book is time well spent for coaches and executives alike.