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Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge
by
The coauthor of the classic bestseller Boundaries, with over 2 million copies sold, and an expert on the psychology of business and leadership performance explains the behavioral reasons why some people get great results and others don't.
In Boundaries for Leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud gives leaders the tools and techniques they need to achieve the performance they desire—in the ...more
In Boundaries for Leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud gives leaders the tools and techniques they need to achieve the performance they desire—in the ...more
Audiobook
Published
April 16th 2013
by HarperAudio
(first published April 2nd 2013)
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Start your review of Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge

After having read so so many books, am so glad that Cloud delivers one that I like so so very much! He draws from a lifetime of psychological study and experience in consulting with CEOs in writing this book. Real life stories are used to great effect to illustrate complicated or abstract principles. Sometimes he gets lost in retelling the stories that he forgets to reinforce the point (and we have to refer to the subtitle to figure out what he is trying to say).
Nevertheless, I highly recommend ...more
Nevertheless, I highly recommend ...more

In this book, Dr. Cloud talks about many concepts that help a leader be ridiculously in charge. My key take-away is related to how the executive brain works. There are three main functions: directing attention, inhibiting attention and being aware of the process. This means defining the right focus, identifying the things that are 'forbidden', and being able to tell the progress.
The concept of inhibiting attention can be related to the concepts discussed in his book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, ...more
The concept of inhibiting attention can be related to the concepts discussed in his book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, ...more

I found this very insightful for some of my experiences of team learned-helplessness at work (one instance where it was overcome and one where it was not really and I left). Sometimes there are a few leaps/assumptions, and some of it is just repetition/filler, but overall really solid perspective. I think I'm going to have to read this every now and then throughout my career.
Quotes:
- "Hard on the issue, but soft on the person."
- "...transference, whereby people experience authority figures in th ...more
Quotes:
- "Hard on the issue, but soft on the person."
- "...transference, whereby people experience authority figures in th ...more

Boundaries For Leaders really caught my eye because ...well, it's by Dr. Henry Cloud and he writes great books! And this new one from him does not disappoint.
It's not exactly what I thought it might be about. I sort of picked it up hoping it was about leaders setting boundaries for their own time, etc., and, boy, was I going to read it aloud to my leader-husband. LOL
In reality, it's about how leaders can (and should) create boundaries for those they are leading--boundaries that they are able to ...more
It's not exactly what I thought it might be about. I sort of picked it up hoping it was about leaders setting boundaries for their own time, etc., and, boy, was I going to read it aloud to my leader-husband. LOL
In reality, it's about how leaders can (and should) create boundaries for those they are leading--boundaries that they are able to ...more

The book covers basic concepts for leading a team or company. It's not particularly interesting nor does it get to the point. I didn't even know why it was titled "Boundaries for Leaders" until a few chapters in. It's about setting boundaries for the teams. The main point is the culture within the team exists through what the leader had created or allowed. If there is a team member who is pessimistic and is bringing everyone else down, the leader is allowing that behavior to become prevalent. Th
...more

This was a pretty good leadership book. It taught me how to create a work culture where people love to work. Below are the main points I learned:
1. Help people attend to what is important, inhibit what is not important or toxic, and remember what they are doing.
2. Create an emotional environment that is free of the wrong kinds of stress.
3. Build teams that are deeply connected.
4. Help people to think optimistically and root out pessimism.
5. Help people get in control of what they can control.
6 ...more
1. Help people attend to what is important, inhibit what is not important or toxic, and remember what they are doing.
2. Create an emotional environment that is free of the wrong kinds of stress.
3. Build teams that are deeply connected.
4. Help people to think optimistically and root out pessimism.
5. Help people get in control of what they can control.
6 ...more

The alligators or the swamp? As I've gained more responsibilities I've learned to prioritize. Importance over urgency. A good leader thinks in systems.
Henry Cloud's wisdom wins again. Every word he writes is worth reading.
Notes:
Nook
You always get what you create and what you allow (10)
The real problem is getting the people to do what it takes to make the plan work. (10)
Our brains need to be able to (a) focus on something specific (b) not get off track by focusing on or being assaulted by other ...more
Henry Cloud's wisdom wins again. Every word he writes is worth reading.
Notes:
Nook
You always get what you create and what you allow (10)
The real problem is getting the people to do what it takes to make the plan work. (10)
Our brains need to be able to (a) focus on something specific (b) not get off track by focusing on or being assaulted by other ...more

(Excellent book!)
As a leader, you get what you create and what you allow.
Leaders are ridiculously in charge
I am ridiculously in charge. I will have the culture I create and I will not have the culture I will not allow to exist. You are either allowing it or building it. Own it.
the vision, goals/purposes, behavior, rules;
Leaders boundaries define what is and isn’t going to be.
Successful leaders are responsible for the vision, focus, attention activities that create forward movement, the emoti ...more
As a leader, you get what you create and what you allow.
Leaders are ridiculously in charge
I am ridiculously in charge. I will have the culture I create and I will not have the culture I will not allow to exist. You are either allowing it or building it. Own it.
the vision, goals/purposes, behavior, rules;
Leaders boundaries define what is and isn’t going to be.
Successful leaders are responsible for the vision, focus, attention activities that create forward movement, the emoti ...more

Such a good book! I highly recommend this book to ANYONE in leadership or ANYONE that wants to be in leadership or ANYONE that manages people. It has challenged my thinking and helped me to view leadership and people in new ways!
Some of my favorite quotes are:
“Hard on the issue, soft on the person.”
“The leader’s job is to lead in ways such that people can do what they are best at doing: using their gifts and their brains to get great results.”
“People change their behavior and thinking not be ...more
Some of my favorite quotes are:
“Hard on the issue, soft on the person.”
“The leader’s job is to lead in ways such that people can do what they are best at doing: using their gifts and their brains to get great results.”
“People change their behavior and thinking not be ...more

This was a real struggle to finish. The ideas and leadership philosophies presented were mostly straightforward and agreeable, but never really broken into the enlightening. Additionally, the concepts frequently felt shoehorned into poor analogies to fit his theme.
Dr. Cloud provides plenty of personal examples that gave off serious self-aggrandizing vibes but little evidence to support his claims that this is all science. While I do actually believe the brain science he starts with, I do wonder ...more
Dr. Cloud provides plenty of personal examples that gave off serious self-aggrandizing vibes but little evidence to support his claims that this is all science. While I do actually believe the brain science he starts with, I do wonder ...more

Not at all what I was expecting, but absolutely golden. This one is a must for anyone who wants to lead a team well. Useful, practical information and insights.
The thing I really appreciated about this book was that so much of what Dr. Cloud was saying aligned with so much of what other great business leaders/writers say. He just came at it from a little different direction, with more psychology and human behavior (of course, he is a psychologist), which made it feel like coming full circle on ...more
The thing I really appreciated about this book was that so much of what Dr. Cloud was saying aligned with so much of what other great business leaders/writers say. He just came at it from a little different direction, with more psychology and human behavior (of course, he is a psychologist), which made it feel like coming full circle on ...more

I wasn't sure this would be worth it - there are so many boundary books. But I don't regret grabbing it and digging in. The key concepts for me were: as a leader, you get what you create (by creating boundaries) and what you allow (by not creating boundaries). This was super helpful in thinking about how active leadership and passive abdication both build a culture - and that, as leaders, we are responsible for both. The second is the simple insight that we, especially "point" leaders, are "ridi
...more

If you’ve ever had a conversation with me about books you’ve probably had me recommend “Boundaries”, I think every person needs to read that book. It’s so important. But what Boundaries does for people in their personal life, Boundaries For Leaders does for anyone in leadership. It tackles head on the difficulties leaders face, disfunction among teams, lack of trust, leading yourself, and so many other areas. If you are in a position of leadership you need to read this book! As a leader, you are
...more

Great read - I personally get a lot out of any book by Dr. Henry Cloud as I like his writing style and appreciate how he states important and key principles in clear, concise, and not overly "heady" ways -- he makes what he writes easily relatable and understandable. In this book specifically, he writes about how leaders need to create boundaries (for themselves and others) in order to be someone others want to follow- and we should all strive to lead via INFLUENCE vs. POWER. Cloud writes about
...more

Most Read For Leaders
Ever consider where all problems start and end in an organization? As the book highlights it all points to you as the leader and the boundaries you set. If there are those you label as trouble makers, you might want to see you have let slide to drive that behavior for him or her to think its okay. If you have an organization that can't see the vision and work as a team then ask yourself what is needed from you to provided clarification and set boundaries. Well worth the read ...more
Ever consider where all problems start and end in an organization? As the book highlights it all points to you as the leader and the boundaries you set. If there are those you label as trouble makers, you might want to see you have let slide to drive that behavior for him or her to think its okay. If you have an organization that can't see the vision and work as a team then ask yourself what is needed from you to provided clarification and set boundaries. Well worth the read ...more

The last chapter is the golden nugget!
I enjoyed most of the book, but the last chapter was worth the entire book. It is where the gold was. I learned more in that chapter than the rest of the book combined.
Personally, I think Dr. Cloud should have focused on that area more than any other.
The book is chalk full of illustrations and stories to fill in the gap between practical real life and theory.
Thank you Sir!
I enjoyed most of the book, but the last chapter was worth the entire book. It is where the gold was. I learned more in that chapter than the rest of the book combined.
Personally, I think Dr. Cloud should have focused on that area more than any other.
The book is chalk full of illustrations and stories to fill in the gap between practical real life and theory.
Thank you Sir!

"Leaders are ultimately responsible. Leaders build structures. Immunize the team against failure. Executive function needed: pay attention (are we doing what we should be doing), inhibit (don't do what shouldn't be done), stay current - attending, inhibiting, remembering. How much getting together to we need and at what intervals, to build relationships." I didn't love this and the advice seems very abstract. Narration was good.
...more

Solid leadership book. Dr. Cloud has lots of practical experience and education in this field, and it shows. If you have studied leadership and self-improvement, you will find a good synthesis of what you probably already know (although there will no doubt be nuggets of new wisdom here and there). However, I don't think that's a bad thing. We all need reminders and refreshers. If you are new to the field, you will receive a very good introduction to managing and leading yourself and others.
...more

Dr. Cloud can sound a bit antiquated at times with pointing out that it's necessary to not be overly harsh or direct constantly - but he does have a lot of meaningful insights and reminders. He has a great way of simplifying things to keep in mind and breaking down complex problems in a approachable way.
...more

This book helps you to understand the importance of how boundaries can help a leader and an organization to be better. It is full of insight into the nature of leadership and how it is easy to get distracted by outside influences that can pull you away from your goals and the actual vision of an organization.

This book crystallizes many of those important leadership qualities that you admire in your good bosses (and long for under your dysfunctional bosses)! There’s also the important acknowledgement that if our brains aren’t properly engaged, we can’t perform—period. Leaders and subordinates have a lot to learn from the examples laid out here.
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Dr. Cloud has written or co-written twenty-five books, including the two million-seller Boundaries. His most recent books are Boundaries for Leaders and Necessary Endings. He has earned three Gold Medallion awards, and was awarded the distinguished Retailers Choice award for God Will Make A Way.
As president of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Dr. Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public semina ...more
As president of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Dr. Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public semina ...more
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“hard on the issue, soft on the person.”
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“Clarity leads to attention and attention leads to results.”
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