Leading Out Loud: Inspiring Change Through Authentic Communications

As the cycle of change increases its speed, leadership communication is becoming more important than ever. Since the original publication of Leading Out Loud in 1995, the development of a leader's message has become as critical to success as the delivery of that message. In this new and revised edition of his highly praised work, Terry Pearce explains how the events of recent years, including the information revolution, worldwide focus on terrorism, and the revelation of corporate scandals, have significantly increased the importance of authenticity in leadership to build loyalty in organizations. This new edition focuses on the source of a message for change, its development as a platform for leadership communication, and its many forms of expression from speeches to e-mails, memos, and even informal "water cooler" conversation. Pearce shows leaders in business, politics, and nonprofits how to communicate their values and vision to inspire commitment; he provides tools and examples from well-known leaders as well as less-known but effective change agents. Leading Out Loud gives readers concrete methods for improving their own communication by guiding them to do the internal work necessary for creating an honest and compelling vision, and by demonstrating how readers can find their authentic voice and articulate their messages with confidence. People make commitments, says Pearce, to causes they value and to people they respect and trust. An authentic voice and an inclusive perspective are requisites for any leader who would inspire change. Trust is built by communicating from both the mind and the heart, speaking directly to the minds and hearts of others, listening to their response, and respecting their points of view. All leaders will benefit from Pearce's wisdom, as will anyone else who wants to inspire positive change through others.

Table of Contents:
Foreword - David S. Pottruck; Preface; Part One: Leadership Communication Clear and Deep; 1. The Changing Context for Leadership; Seeing Needed Change; Breathing Life into Others; The Effect of Media and Technology; The Case for Authenticity; 2. Discover What Matters; Who Are You? What Do You Want?; Recognizing and Reflecting on Your Point of View; Life Experiences That Define You; Distilling Values into Conviction About Change; 3. Apply Courage and Discipline; Finding Your Voice: The Courage to Take a Stand; Disciplining Your Voice for Clarity by Writing; 4. Decide to Lead; Leadership Built on Emotional Intelligence; Giving Voice to Emotions; Managing Your Emotional Response; Becoming Aware and Wary of Self-Importance; From Being the Boss to Becoming a Leader; Part Two: The Leadership Message Connected and Complete; 5. Connect with Others; Unspoken Harmonies; Creating Images That Resonate; The Real World of Narrative; 6. Establish Competence and Build Trust; Establishing Competence; Building Trust; 7. Create Shared Context; Building a Common Understanding of History; Developing a Broader, More Meaningful View; Reinforcing Competence and Trust; Choosing Evidence: Showing the Logic; Revealing the Personal: Showing the Passion; Completing the Context; 8. Declare and Describe the Future; Declaration: An Act of Creation; Making it Real: Include Others in the Possibilities; Highlighting the Intrinsic and Personal Value; The Stakes: Best Case, Worst Case; 9. Commit to Action; Organizational Steps Toward the Change; Personal Commitment, Personal Action; Involving Others, Asking for Action; 10. Leadership Communication Applications; Change Message as a Speech; After the Speech: Is It Time for Engagement?; Listening and Responding with Emotional Intelligence; Responding Authentically to Both Question and Intent; Invested Listening: Inviting Support; The Daily Practice of Leadership Communication; Deploying the Self Proactively; Epilogue: The Cauldron of Leadership; Appendixes; A. The Choice and Use of Evidence in Leadership Communication; B. Expanded Applications; Notes; Recommended Reading; Acknowledgments; About the Author; Index

About the Author :
In November, 2002, BusinessWeek magazine called Terry Pearce the "eminence grise" of executive coaches. He is the founder and president of Leadership Communication, a coaching and consulting company with select clients that include CEOs, senior public officials, and elected leaders. He also teaches leadership courses at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business and the London Business School, and is a frequent keynote speaker in the United States and abroad. Pearce is coauthor (with David Pottruck) of the best-selling Clicks and Mortar: Passion-Driven Growth in an Internet-Driven World (Jossey-Bass, 2000).

Review :
"... an interesting book from which we can glean many valuable ideas and suggestions." (The Leadership and Organization Development Journal, April 2004)