Plain Talk

Plain Talk
Author: Ken Iverson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 216
Release: 1997-10-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

A visionary, maverick, and genuine American business hero, Ken Iverson is one of the most closely-watched business leaders in the world. Credited with single-handedly rejuvenating the rapidly declining American steel industry to the status of world-class producer, Iverson is one of the most successful and, as he likes to point out, one of the lowest-paid CEOs in the U.S. In his long-awaited book, Ken Iverson shares his ideas, observations, and the lessons he's learned about what it takes to grow a super-competitive, world-class organization.

Plain Speaking

Plain Speaking
Author: Merle Miller
Publisher: Rosetta Books
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2018-04-24
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0795351283

“Never has a President of the United States, or any head of state for that matter, been so totally revealed, so completely documented” (Robert A. Arthur). Plain Speaking is the bestselling book based on conversations between Merle Miller and the thirty-third President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. From these interviews, as well as others who knew him over the years, Miller transcribes Truman’s feisty takes on everything from his personal life, military service, and political career to the challenges he faced in taking the office during the final days of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Using a series of taped discussions from 1962 that never aired on television, Plain Speaking takes an opportunity to deliver exactly how Mr. Truman felt about the presidency, and his thoughts in his later years on his accomplishments and the legacy he left behind. “The values of Plain Speaking, on the whole, are those of the highest form of political communication: the bull session. As with all good bull sessions, what is said here ranges widely in quality and seriousness, as one should expect when dealing with a complex man.” —The New York Times “Plain Speaking has a nostalgic, downhome quality of good friends gossiping over the back fence, or saying their piece of a twilight eve rocking on the porch—and if those fellas back in Washington have their secret machines running, well, they won’t like what they overhear. Not one little bit.” —Kirkus Reviews

The Art of Plain Speaking

The Art of Plain Speaking
Author: Charlie Corbett
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2018-12-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351257269

This is a guide for anyone who wants to connect better with people in the workplace by speaking clearly and with purpose. It is a result of five years at Charlie Corbett’s consultancy, Bullfinch Media, where he helped convince executives that speaking plainly, thoughtfully, and behaving with humanity, is the best way to win business, boost morale and advance careers. It provides carefully detailed wisdom on how to write well, speak publicly and stand out in your job, as well as how to craft compelling communications, make the best of social media and handle the press. The Art of Plain Speaking aims to improve the experience faced by many in the modern workplace, a world where senior management are entirely absent from the shop floor – replaced by indecipherable emails from HR – and where people speak in esoteric corporate riddles, believing that sounding clever is more productive than speaking clearly.

Leadership

Leadership
Author: Sy Ogulnick
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Total Pages: 341
Release: 2015-03-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1630473103

If you are a leader or aspire to leadership over others you must read "Leaders, Power & Consequences." It clearly exposes the influences a leader has with people who are close and important to the leader. The leader is the person who holds the true power, that is, “the buck stops with them.” It is not underlings who act on behalf of another who dictates their actions. They are not the true power, and no one is long deceived. Where do problems in relationships, trivial or significant, not exist? The answer to resolving the problem is likely found where the power is located. Who are the true leaders, what are their expectations and how well do they communicate with those they lead? And, how well and candidly do those significant to the leader communicate directly back to the leader? This is where trust, safety and respect play a huge role in how the relationship plays out and either grows, mutually, or is destructive, mutually. Most leaders tend to communicate badly, have unspoken or inflexible expectations towards those they lead and blame others for what is the leader’s failings. "Leaders, Power & Consequences" confronts this problem of leadership directly and clearly by using Sy Ogulnick’s personally experienced stories. He clearly describes the path leaders must take if they are to personally grow, to understand themselves better, and in the process to contribute to the growth of those they lead. When authentic communication takes place between those in power and those immediately at the effect of this power, trust, safety and respect are felt by each. This must be found in the environment or Genuine Dialogue between them is impossible and will not, even at the point of a gun, take place. And it is the leaders who are primarily responsible for the creation of the environment. Words do not make it so, but action (behavior of the leaders) does. The path laid out in "Leaders, Power & Consequences" leads to facilitating problem-solving, creativity, innovation and a sense of mutual ownership amongst people to the degree that most leaders can only dream of.

Icons and Idiots

Icons and Idiots
Author: Bob Lutz
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2013-06-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1101608080

When Bob Lutz retired from General Motors in 2010, after an unparalleled forty-seven-year career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected leaders in American business. He had survived all kinds of managers over those decades: tough and timid, analytical and irrational, charismatic and antisocial, and some who seemed to shift frequently among all those traits. His experiences made him an expert on leadership, every bit as much as he was an expert on cars and trucks. Now Lutz is revealing the leaders-good, bad, and ugly-who made the strongest impression on him throughout his career. Icons and Idiots is a collection of shocking and often hilarious true stories and the lessons Lutz drew from them. From enduring the sadism of a Marine Corps drill instructor, to working with a washed-up alcoholic, to taking over the reins from a convicted felon, he reflects on the complexities of all-too-human leaders. No textbook or business school course can fully capture their idiosyncrasies, foibles and weaknesses - which can make or break companies in the real world. Lutz shows that we can learn just as much from the most stubborn, stupid, and corrupt leaders as we can from the inspiring geniuses. The result is a powerful and entertaining guide for any aspiring leader.

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Author: Lee Iacocca
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2008-09-04
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1847396070

In his trademark straight-talking style, legendary auto executive Lee Iacocca speaks his mind on the most pressing issues facing America today: the shortage of responsible leaders in the business world and in government; the nation's damaged relations with its longtime allies; the challenges presented by the emergence of China and India on the world's economic stage; the decline of the American car business; and the state of the American family. Iacocca shares the lessons he's learned from a lifetime of hard work and adventure, of spectacular successes and stunning defeats, of integrity and grace and good old-fashioned American optimism.

Leaders Talk Leadership

Leaders Talk Leadership
Author: Meredith D. Ashby
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2002-10-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0190288310

Leaders Talk Leadership is an impressive collection of interviews with some of the world's most respected corporate leaders and management scholars. Edited by Ashby and Miles of the preeminent executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles, this compilation of thought leadership spanning industries and geographies addresses the key issues facing executives today such as governance, leadership and strategy, how to lead in volatile times or through a corporate transformation, how to best leverage human capital and how to achieve competitive advantage in today's environment. Some of the CEO's featured in the book include Ken Chenault, of American Express, Steve Reinemund of PepsiCo, Heinrich von Pierer of Siemens, Ken Lewis of Bank of America, Edward Tian of China Netcom, Fred Smith of FedEx, Hank McKinnell of Pfizer, A.G. Lafley of Proctor and Gamble, Klaus Zumwinkel of Deutsche Post World Net, William Haseltine of Human Genome Sciences, Linda Sanford of IBM, Larry Weinbach of Unisys and Michael Dell of Dell Computer. Framing these cutting-edge concepts are interviews and written essays by preeminent academics, including Jay Conger from London Business School, Jim Collins of Good to Great, Mohanbir Sawhney of Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University. Serving as the line executive's roadmap to recruiting, retaining and developing talent and an encyclopedia of MBA students worldwide, this book represents path-breaking leadership perspectives from path-breaking leaders.

Plain Talk about Churches and Money

Plain Talk about Churches and Money
Author: Dean Hoge
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 155
Release: 1998-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1566996023

Based on extensive research, this volume offers insight and help on the key fiscal topics confronting church leaders today, including: Why is the church so uneasy with the topic of money? Is there a difference between stewardship and fundraising? How can we motivate giving? Should we invest church funds? It tackles the resistance, fears, and difficulties about money common in congregations. The book is must reading for lay leaders and anyone in pastoral ministry today.

Plain Language and Ethical Action

Plain Language and Ethical Action
Author: Russell Willerton
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2015-05-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1317752082

Plain Language and Ethical Action examines and evaluates principles and practices of plain language that technical content producers can apply to meet their audiences’ needs in an ethical way. Applying the BUROC framework (Bureaucratic, Unfamiliar, Rights-Oriented, and Critical) to identify situations in which audiences will benefit from plain language, this work offers in-depth profiles show how six organizations produce effective plain-language content. The profiles show plain-language projects done by organizations ranging from grassroots volunteers on a shoe-string budget, to small nonprofits, to consultants completing significant federal contacts. End-of-chapter questions and exercises provide tools for students and practitioners to reflect on and apply insights from the book. Reflecting global commitments to plain language, this volume includes a case study of a European group based in Sweden along with results from interviews with plain-language experts around the world, including Canada, England, South Africa. Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand. This work is intended for use in courses in information design, technical and professional communication, health communication, and other areas producing plain language communication. It is also a crucial resource for practitioners developing plain-language technical content and content strategists in a variety of fields, including health literacy, technical communication, and information design.