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Leadership for a Fractured World: How to Cross Boundaries, Build Bridges, and Lead Change
Leaders today—whether in corporations or associations, nonprofits or nations—face massive, messy, multidimensional problems. No one person or group can possibly solve them—they require the broadest possible cooperation. But, says Harvard scholar Dean Williams, our leadership models are still essentially individuals with formal authority leading in the interest of their own group. In this deeply needed new book, he outlines an approach that enables leaders to transcend internal and external boundaries and help people to collaborate, even people over whom they technically have no power.
Drawing on what he’s learned from years of working in countries and organizations around the world, Williams shows leaders how to approach the delicate and creative work of boundary spanning, whether those boundaries are cultural, organizational, political, geographic, religious, or structural. Sometimes leaders themselves have to be the ones who cross the boundaries between groups. Other times, a leader’s job is to build relational bridges between divided groups or even to completely break down the boundaries that block collaborative problem solving. By thinking about power and authority in a different way, leaders will become genuine change agents, able to heal wounds, resolve conflicts, and bring a fractured world together.
Drawing on what he’s learned from years of working in countries and organizations around the world, Williams shows leaders how to approach the delicate and creative work of boundary spanning, whether those boundaries are cultural, organizational, political, geographic, religious, or structural. Sometimes leaders themselves have to be the ones who cross the boundaries between groups. Other times, a leader’s job is to build relational bridges between divided groups or even to completely break down the boundaries that block collaborative problem solving. By thinking about power and authority in a different way, leaders will become genuine change agents, able to heal wounds, resolve conflicts, and bring a fractured world together.
- GenresLeadership
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2015
23 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 25, 2017
Another interesting book from Prof Williams. A follow on from his first book on real leadership. All the usual jargon and philosophies are there. Again what lifts the book are the unique stories of famous and not so famous people. Best chapter is the last one in the book, "Keeping yourself from fracturing", which is less technical and more personal.
October 2, 2016
I would have given this book a 5 star if it was structured in a different way. However this does not mean it wasn't an important read for me. It was, and I will make sure that the captured leanings are implemented in the future.
This book is not about leadership in its broad terms, but rather about leading in a fractured world; How to understand it, how to deal with it, and what are the elements of success to lead in such situations.
The book was very entertaining as a read and at the end of each chapter it would ask questions to provoke you to think about the implement-ability of these concepts on your own situation.
I would recommend this book to give you a better understanding (and not a framework) for the challenges and possible solutions associated with leading a fractured situation.
This book is not about leadership in its broad terms, but rather about leading in a fractured world; How to understand it, how to deal with it, and what are the elements of success to lead in such situations.
The book was very entertaining as a read and at the end of each chapter it would ask questions to provoke you to think about the implement-ability of these concepts on your own situation.
I would recommend this book to give you a better understanding (and not a framework) for the challenges and possible solutions associated with leading a fractured situation.
April 20, 2023
In "Adaptive Leadership," Williams provides an insightful framework for navigating complex problems that require adaptive solutions. The book distinguishes between technical problems and adaptive challenges and emphasizes the importance of experimentation, failure, and innovation in adapting to the latter. Williams offers a language for adaptive work and provides strategies for individuals and groups to effectively address adaptive challenges.
The book relies heavily on capitalist language and originally the creators of the adaptive leadership model are all men, which may limit the model's applicability and relevance to a wider range of perspectives and experiences.
However, one central concern I frequently had when reading was whether or not change is always necessary.
Overall, I give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5. It is useful for those interested in leadership and understanding the challenges that world leaders face, but readers should be aware of its limitations and potential biases. The last part of book about saving oneself from fracturing gives personalized approach, so I enjoyed the end.
The book relies heavily on capitalist language and originally the creators of the adaptive leadership model are all men, which may limit the model's applicability and relevance to a wider range of perspectives and experiences.
However, one central concern I frequently had when reading was whether or not change is always necessary.
Overall, I give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5. It is useful for those interested in leadership and understanding the challenges that world leaders face, but readers should be aware of its limitations and potential biases. The last part of book about saving oneself from fracturing gives personalized approach, so I enjoyed the end.
May 31, 2017
I found this author made sort of obvious points...push people's boundaries, but don't push too hard because you'll isolate them. There were too many points and sub points to make any of them memorable.
The highlight of the book was some of the very interesting stories that were told in illustration of his principles.
The highlight of the book was some of the very interesting stories that were told in illustration of his principles.
May 23, 2018
Useful advice on avoiding tribalism, crossing boundaries, and being a change agent. He focused on global issues, which can apply to local ones, but I wish he didn't start out by assuming you are an international human rights / business mediator.
January 24, 2021
Nice read with lots of examples from international events of great significance and why it was successful or it failed.
September 19, 2017
Fortunately I heard a presentation on this book from Professor Dean William himself just the day after I had read. Easiest story on leadership I have read so far. A must read.
January 6, 2018
This was a great read; good concepts and examples of facilitating change between divergent groups or sides.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews