Collaborative Power Grab: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Leader on How to Invite, Attract, and Cultivate Collaborative Power

In order to be an effective leader, you need to be able to gain power within the group structure. But not just any power will do. You need to invite collaborative power from the senior leaders above you, you need to attract that collaborative power from everyone that follows you, and you need to cultivate power from the larger landscape. What's different in my approach, as being not only a leadership expert but a leadership training expert is I give my students the exact step-by-step process of what they need to do leaving nothing up for interpretation and making sure (what is a very complicated process) is now broken down into A) very easily understood and B) very easy to implement actions called Starting Now actions. With a five-step Starting Now process I teach leaders how to develop a mentoring and supportive relationship with their immediate senior supervisor. With a 10-step Starting Now process I teach the same leaders how to support their followers to create super effective mission-centered outcomes resulting in significantly less direct supervision over time. The results: Immediately using the Starting Now actions in Chapter 2 and in the sequence as laid out in chapter 1, these are the trends you will be setting in place that will mature over time: Examples of negative human behaviors drop Fear-caused behaviors drop Quality and quantity of communication increases Mission statement moves to center stage Respect and dignity become preferred behaviors Professional relationships dominate Clear and achievable performance expectations abound Leadership provides a support role without giving up power Problem-solving becomes a team sport Productivity and smart work rules over mediocrity Group members become involved in creating outcomes Inappropriate, toxic behaviors are trounced Group members accept more responsibility over time Ability to deal with adversity increases Ideas for improvement are a constant conversation Team members become very good at what they do Leaders grow to very high levels of effectiveness Group members have the confidence to make decisions and know when to include their supervisor Continuous improvement strategy becomes an organic function The need for direct supervision continuously dries up Leaders learn to check their ego at the door After Chapters 1 and 2 are implemented you can read the rest of the book. Once Chapters 3 through 7 are fully implemented along with the expertise and knowledge base you have gained, these are the results you will gain over time as the group matures: Identifying a list of behaviors to stop using if you want more group collaboration Implementing a list of behaviors to start using if you want more group collaboration Smartly addressing and eliminating the causes of fear generated in the work environment Reducing the complexity of the policies, procedures, and how-to of day-to-day operations Training every group member to expert levels in collaboration and technical competency Reducing expensive direct supervision time by providing more autonomy Creating clearly understood objectives that are directly supported by that person's training Ensuring smooth productivity by removing roadblocks, adjusting workloads, and setting reasonable deadlines with clear expectations as part of every delegated task Having leaders conscientiously train, mentor, and guide the success behaviors of their direct reports

About the Author :
Bob Donaldson is a change management expert. He crafts change efforts by applying unique approaches to leadership and developing collaboration in group environments. He helps group performance using a sophisticated Dos and Don'ts list of human behaviors that ultimately become performance measurements. Over time the group moves closer to mission success while simultaneously improving job satisfaction for the entire group, one person at a time.Lowering fear in the culture, prioritizing a training ethos, building specific skills associated with solving problems and best behaviors used for increasing productivity, recognizing a positive change to enhance the ability to repeat success, integrating an organic continuous improvement paradigm while holding the individual and the group accountable to collaborative outcomes guides the group to ever-increasing levels of performance.Combined, as the group performance significantly increases the direct supervision burden on the leader drops heavily allowing leaders to manage less and lead more. Future growth is then accelerated by the group members in perpetuity as long as the cultural tenets are held in place. With repeated application of these collaborative behaviors, the group becomes a high-performing human enterprise.

Review :
From the first words to the last, Bob's energy and knowledge jump off the page. There is no denying his genuine aspirations to improve our individual and collective world through the teaching of his vast experience. A short time after I began reading Collaborative Power Grab, I started applying these tools and I felt a positive shift in my outlook, and in the way others perceived me. Bob is teaching us that we can move mountains, but first we must cultivate and align the boulders. The lessons abound within the covers of this book, laid like stone steps at our feet. A step-by-step guide to obtaining that which you desire. Grab some notecards and highlighters, because nearly every page of the book you are about to read holds some gem of wisdom that can help take you to that next level. I am truly thankful to Bob for sharing his toolbelt, and helping me move forward feeling empowered. Todd Phillips, Reception Supervisor Pacific Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital An incredibly valuable read for people at all levels of any organization. Unlike most books about leadership or influence, this book is filled with big-picture context and is loaded with specific, actionable guidance that anyone can learn and implement. When I met Bob, I noticed that the organization he worked for ran very smoothly, and his projects had cohesive teams and were completed on-time and within budget. After reading this book, I am beginning to see why. The steps for inviting and attracting collaborative power are things everyone should be doing on a daily basis. Bob has crystalized these into a specific recipe for anyone who wants to become a truly inspiring leader. John Schwarz, Founder JHS Consulting Bob has encapsulated decades of collaboration and leadership experience into single recipe for success. It's easy to follow and implement in order to see immediate results. This is a must read for leaders and front line supervisors that want to take advantage of Bob's experience and get a head start to creating collaborative power within your team. This recipe for success can also be used to empower and enrich your personal relationships as well. E. J. Shalaby, General Manager (Ret.) West Contra Costa County Sanitation Being in a leadership position I always seek ways to develop my leadership skills and, in turn, enhance my team's performance. Bob has a knack for providing clear step-by-step guidelines to make accessible the most complex of topics. This book is no exception. The world needs more collaborative power, in our individual spheres of influence and in the larger context of human experience. Bob has provided a proven method by which to gain such collaborative power. If you want to expand your own and/or your group's effectiveness, satisfaction, and leadership skills, this is the book for you. Teresa Herrera, P.E., General Manager Silicon Valley Clean Water An essential learning tool and guidance document for all leaders - no matter what stage of their career they may be in. Bob interlaces organizational psychology and behavior, judgement, and high-level cognitive decision-making, and distills it into well-thought, practical and proven processes yielding high-functioning teams, positive work environments and successful outcomes. I've read this more than once, and each time I learn something new. Definitely an annual read! John A. Mahoney, President Professional Land Services Inc.