Positive Leadership: The Game Changer at Work

by Steve Gladis

Positive The Game Changer at Work provides key research-based principles that will help you be a more effective leader. The first part of the book, “The Concept,” gathers some of the best positive psychology research available and reads like a Harvard Business Review article. The second part, “The Story,” is a leadership fable about a homeless, former business executive who attempts to climb back into society after a shocking body blow to his life. The research and the story together make a memorable read. Editorial Reviews and Endorsements key thought Marshall Goldsmith, Tom Rath, Dan Pink, Tony Bingham

Foreword by Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s most influential leadership “…. If you lead one person or 1,000, you’ll want to read this book [Positive Leadership] as quickly as you can and pass it on to someone you care about.” New York Times Bestselling Author Tom Rath: “If you want to lead people toward a better future, start with this book.” Daniel Pink, author of To Sell is Human, Drive, and A Whole New Mind: "Steve Gladis has done a spectacular job of combining the science of positive affect with a story that brings that science to life. Positive Leadership is a smart and sensible game plan for game changers of every kind.” Tony Bingham, CEO of The American Society of Training and Development: “Positive Leadership is a must-read for anyone who wants to positively impact the culture, and ultimately the success, of an organization.”

Genres: Nonfiction

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2013

About the author

A leadership speaker, author and executive coach Dr. Steve Gladis is authority on the subject of leadership. CEO of Steve Gladis Leadership Partners--a leadership development company--he is the author of 19 books on leadership and a professor at George Mason University. His company works with businesses, associations, and US government agencies, and he speaks regularly at conferences and corporate gatherings. A former faculty member at the University of Virginia, Dr. Gladis also served as an FBI special agent and was a decorated officer in the US Marine Corps. His company donates a significant portion of corporate profits back to the community.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking a Positive Leadership Certification program at George Mason by this author. The first class was the contents of this book - brilliant! Seems so simple but we all have those difficult employees/family/friends that test our ability to stay positive under stress. Positive psychology has become a focus of mine over the past year, mindful living takes intentional daily practice and surrounding yourself with the right people and energy! This book has simple, daily applicable techniques that truly are Game Changers to creating happiness in your life.

[Marcella Bremer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great summary of positivity research. The contents are inspirational and worthwhile for leaders and everyone else who’d like to uplift their workplace. Steve Gladis collected wonderful positive leadership research with some amazing outcomes.

Treacherous thing about this topic: it looks simple but to practice this consistently requires work.... It’s easier said than done. Positive leadership, random acts of kindness, and keeping a gratitude journal may seem "overly positive" - which may evoke reactions from pessimists or cynics who think you’re a naive idealist, or worse. But that has nothing to do with the book - it simply illustrates how much development is needed in our organizations, and how many people have lost hope.

The second part of the book is fiction, a leadership fable. It seems a bit childish to me - but I don't like this kind of fables because they are larger than life, and not nuanced enough because they have to illustrate the point. They pretend to be fiction - but disappoint me because they’re not. I prefer to read the nonfiction part. But the story may be illustrative to others who have a different learning style.

Check out this book if you want to inspire yourself with positive leadership and if you're ready to change the game at work! Let's develop our workplaces and the world.

[Tatyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good summary on positive leadership research. The book is made out of 2 parts which are complimentary. First one focuses on the theories. The second one focuses on showing how this theory can be applied in your daily life. Fast read and good tips!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt that this book validated my personal beliefs on leadership. This is a MUST read for anyone managing millennials. (I say this as a millennial)