Resources
The Tipping Point. One of the most popular segments in my influence skills workshops is my presentation of some of the ideas from Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point. I highly recommend the book. Here is my one-page summary of some of the points from the book. In my workshops, I elaborate on his ideas, using additional research on stickiness (see below), social networks, and, of course, the social psychology of influence.
Dangerous decisions. Here is how to involve people in decision making. People regularly complain about how decisions are handled—even if they agree with the decision itself. This handout lays out my Effective Engagement model, which shows you how to run decision making so that you can make decisions on-time, reduce resistance, and eliminate resentment.
Sticky messages. Some messages immediately take on a life of their own, while others immediately fade away. Sticky messages gets at “the heart of the matter.” They are fundamental, easily transmissible and often shift people’s thinking. Chip and Dan Heath, authors of Made to Stick, have identified six characteristics of sticky messages. Here is my summary, which I use in my Leading Without Authority workshops.
Technical problems vs. adaptive challenges. The single biggest failure of leadership is to treat adaptive challenges like technical problems.This handout details Ron Heifetz's essential distinction between technical problems and adaptive challenges. Though I created it years ago, it is still used in classes at the University of Washington and on at least one occasion by Marty Linsky, Heifetz's coauthor.
Work of Leadership. Here are six principles for leaders who are facing an adaptive challenge (rather than a technical problem). I think these are immensely valuable for all leaders, as well as facilitators and even parents.
