The Elephant In The Room: How Relationships Make Or Break The Success Of Leaders And Organizations

Since time immemorial, relationships have determined the fate of leaders. But today they are more critical to success than ever. No longer can leaders count on long time horizons or sloppy competition to make up for the inefficiencies that poor relationships create. Leaders must make decisions and take actions quickly and well with others, even those with whom they share very little perhaps not even a time zone. This new world puts relationships at the center of what leaders must understand and master to succeed.

• Uses in-depth observational studies and clinical research to explore how relationships at the top of organizations work, develop, and change
• Shows how to understand, strengthen, and transform these relationships, so they can withstand the most intense pressures and conflicts

This important book features a Foreword by Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline.

Part 1: Understanding Relationships.

1 Present and Unaccounted For.

2 The Life and Death of a Relationship.

3 It’s a Matter of Perspective.

Part 2: Strengthening Relationships.

4 Using the Heat of the Moment.

5 Mapping Relationships.

6 Focusing Investments, Managing Costs.

Part 3: Transforming Relationships.

7 Navigating Change Over Time.

8 Disrupting Patterns.

9 Reframing Each Other.

10 Revising What You Know.

Appendix A Guide to Behavioral Repertoires.

Appendix B The Ladder of Reflection.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Additional Reading.

Acknowledgments.

The Author.

Index.