What do you think?
Rate this book
8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility: How to Lead and Inspire in the Real World
The world is ever-changing in unpredictable ways.
Leaders, therefore, need to constantly re-examine their assumptions of what it means to be a "great" leader as old models of leadership quickly fade into irrelevance.
In short, leaders need an agile mindset.
But how can leaders become agile?
We need to update and disrupt past definitions of leadership. To challenge ourselves and test our relevance often. We need to recognize challenges swiftly and respond decisively, especially when our environment is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility shows the way by describing how leaders met challenging conundrums with agility and emerged stronger, using the Re4 Coaching Model developed by Chuen Chuen.
This book addresses the gap between theory and practice through stories of leaders distilled into eight representational paradoxes that can occur in any culture, contexts, levels of seniority or industries.
The Re4 Coaching Model, clearly illustrated in this book, helps leaders see their world with objective clarity, understand what has to be done and why. Through this coaching model, leaders gain the resolve and confidence to overcome challenges with authenticity. Through it, they integrate theoretical learning with practical steps and learn to thrive.
Now you too can benefit from the Re4 Coaching Model as this book contains exercises with guiding questions you can use to navigate your paradoxes. It's time to grow and thrive.
Leaders, therefore, need to constantly re-examine their assumptions of what it means to be a "great" leader as old models of leadership quickly fade into irrelevance.
In short, leaders need an agile mindset.
But how can leaders become agile?
We need to update and disrupt past definitions of leadership. To challenge ourselves and test our relevance often. We need to recognize challenges swiftly and respond decisively, especially when our environment is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility shows the way by describing how leaders met challenging conundrums with agility and emerged stronger, using the Re4 Coaching Model developed by Chuen Chuen.
This book addresses the gap between theory and practice through stories of leaders distilled into eight representational paradoxes that can occur in any culture, contexts, levels of seniority or industries.
The Re4 Coaching Model, clearly illustrated in this book, helps leaders see their world with objective clarity, understand what has to be done and why. Through this coaching model, leaders gain the resolve and confidence to overcome challenges with authenticity. Through it, they integrate theoretical learning with practical steps and learn to thrive.
Now you too can benefit from the Re4 Coaching Model as this book contains exercises with guiding questions you can use to navigate your paradoxes. It's time to grow and thrive.
- GenresNonfiction
194 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2020
26 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Yeo Chuen Chuen
3 books3 followersYeo Chuen Chuen, Founder of ACESENCE, is a leadership coach honored with international accolades for her outstanding work with clients in over 30 countries across five continents. She is recognized as an invaluable partner in shaping the leadership styles of key executives in Fortune 500 companies. Satisfied clients describe the coaching experience with her as “transformational, life-changing” and “the only professional development a leader ever needs”.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 16, 2020
Wonderful leadership learning book ! !
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! !
Since I'm a keen reader of self help and personality development books. Nonetheless, this book comprises excellent way to grasp the understanding of clients and strategies how to lead over various crucial stages in corporate world.
It's a must read for corporate pursuits.
Amazing case study and problem solving techniques has made this book productive and glorious.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! !
Since I'm a keen reader of self help and personality development books. Nonetheless, this book comprises excellent way to grasp the understanding of clients and strategies how to lead over various crucial stages in corporate world.
It's a must read for corporate pursuits.
Amazing case study and problem solving techniques has made this book productive and glorious.
May 23, 2020
“Does my story resonate with you?" - Yeo asks in the first few pages the book. My answer was, and I believe many readers' answers will be, "Yes!".
Her writing addresses many of the issues we face in life and challenges us to be better, to grow and to embrace agility. Through clear and articulate writing, engaging and insightful examples and a humble attitude, her positivity and excitement are contagious, making you believe and embrace the reality that you can change for the better. The questions she asks are simple yet provocative. The case studies she presents are relatable yet inspirational.
Her book may just give you the start for your own new narrative for success, just as her coaching has done for her clients. And the final words surely are good advice for any aspect of our lives: "Embrace agility and perform at your highest potential.".
Her writing addresses many of the issues we face in life and challenges us to be better, to grow and to embrace agility. Through clear and articulate writing, engaging and insightful examples and a humble attitude, her positivity and excitement are contagious, making you believe and embrace the reality that you can change for the better. The questions she asks are simple yet provocative. The case studies she presents are relatable yet inspirational.
Her book may just give you the start for your own new narrative for success, just as her coaching has done for her clients. And the final words surely are good advice for any aspect of our lives: "Embrace agility and perform at your highest potential.".
May 23, 2020
After reading the excerpt I decided this was one book I wanted to read rather than just adding to my wish list. Many books I end up buying but not reading, but the concise, easy to digest style appealed as did the opportunity to understand paradoxes faced by others.
The book lived up to expectations. Section one nicely set the scene. Section 2 went over the 8 paradoxes in just the right amount of detail with a specific case study to make it come to life plus nicely presented and consistent subsections.
The exercise are nicely packaged into section 3 with further detail for those who want it, meaning that I could swiftly make my way through the first two sections knowing I could go deeper if needed.
Well worth the read.
The book lived up to expectations. Section one nicely set the scene. Section 2 went over the 8 paradoxes in just the right amount of detail with a specific case study to make it come to life plus nicely presented and consistent subsections.
The exercise are nicely packaged into section 3 with further detail for those who want it, meaning that I could swiftly make my way through the first two sections knowing I could go deeper if needed.
Well worth the read.
August 10, 2020
A useful manual on how to become an agile leader
We all have the tendency to resist change. But change is inevitable in the real world. This book describes the Re4 Coaching Model and provides some good advice on how to become an agile leader. Useful examples make it easy to understand that not everything has to be “black and white”. By applying this model, the book provides guidance on how to achieve balance when faced with the paradox of two equally desirable but conflicting choices.
We all have the tendency to resist change. But change is inevitable in the real world. This book describes the Re4 Coaching Model and provides some good advice on how to become an agile leader. Useful examples make it easy to understand that not everything has to be “black and white”. By applying this model, the book provides guidance on how to achieve balance when faced with the paradox of two equally desirable but conflicting choices.
May 18, 2020
With the changing times, there's pressure on leaders to evolve, to learn, unlearn and relearn and this book explores eight paradoxes of leadership agility.
The author is a coach who uses a model that embraces 4 steps that begin with reconstructing the challenge or dilemma and building it up as it goes.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
The author is a coach who uses a model that embraces 4 steps that begin with reconstructing the challenge or dilemma and building it up as it goes.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
August 16, 2020
Wonderful leadership learning book ! !
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! !
Since I'm a keen reader of self help and personality development books. Nonetheless, this book comprises excellent ways to grasp the understanding of clients and strategies on how to lead over various crucial stages in the corporate world.
It's a must read for corporate pursuits.
Amazing case study and problem solving techniques has made this book productive and glorious.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! !
Since I'm a keen reader of self help and personality development books. Nonetheless, this book comprises excellent ways to grasp the understanding of clients and strategies on how to lead over various crucial stages in the corporate world.
It's a must read for corporate pursuits.
Amazing case study and problem solving techniques has made this book productive and glorious.
June 3, 2020
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, an incumbent, or simply looking up to one, this book gives authentic insights into the thoughts, emotions and actions of leaders in the working world. A highly recommended read for corporate professionals at all levels.
May 15, 2022
8 paradoxes why you shouldn’t waste your time on this book
1– 20% of the book is advertisement of the authors services
2- the content of the book is just half of it. Second part is a repetition of the first
3- stories used are non relatable
4- 10% of the book is just about hyping the author credibility
5- stories are related to the tech industry largely. Not relatable to others
6- content isn’t connected to each other
7- stories are not powerful nor does it inspire
8- title means nothing!
1– 20% of the book is advertisement of the authors services
2- the content of the book is just half of it. Second part is a repetition of the first
3- stories used are non relatable
4- 10% of the book is just about hyping the author credibility
5- stories are related to the tech industry largely. Not relatable to others
6- content isn’t connected to each other
7- stories are not powerful nor does it inspire
8- title means nothing!
Read
July 17, 2020For anyone in leadership or anyone who aspires to leadership, pick up 8 PARADOXES OF LEADERSHIP AGILITY — it will take you to great places of examination, discovery and achievement.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/07/determin...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/07/determin...
June 23, 2020
Interesting Ideas But Execution Off
I think this book has a fascinating topic, but I don't quite agree with the execution of it. The author first discusses what leadership agility means. In the first part of the book especially, before we get to the paradoxes, I think the author injects herself into the book too often. Her spin on these eight paradoxes and her personally developed coaching model make this an expertise book, but there's always the danger of the expert making the book about himself or herself rather than the reader, and I think this happened in the first part of the book.
The chapters on the 8 paradoxes themselves weren't logically organized. She uses a simple “this vs that” model to summarize each paradox, like top-down vs. bottom-up or enforcing vs. empowering. As what she means may not be readily apparent, I think she should have started each of these chapters with an explanation of them. Instead, she starts with a story of one of her clients that embodies the particular paradox. The explanation follows this. I think it would be easier to see her point about the paradox if the explanation about it came first. One paradox itself made me do a double-take, and I think she should have changed the name of the first part of it, which was Executing. As soon as I saw that word, I thought of its usual meaning: killing. Of course, that was not what she meant here! Perhaps she could have chosen a different word that didn't have that additional denotation, like Completing, which she used to help define what Executing meant.
Nearly half the book is answers that her clients have filled out during her coaching sessions as they explored their particular paradox. That is a lot of space to give to this; I think it should have been condensed somewhat. I also think these just should have gone into the particular chapters themselves rather than as a group at the end.
I have an issue with the graphics in these books. I typically read books on either my Kindle or my Kindle PC app. The first graphic (about her Re4 coaching method in general) especially was so small that I couldn’t read it even with my PC app. I had a little easier time reading the other ones. I also didn't think that she really explained or defined what her Re4 coaching model is. We see it in action as her clients use it in those examples Q&A’s that I mentioned before, but I didn't see any place where she really talked about it. And each of the four Re’s themselves has a somewhat figurative title, like Refresh Your Lens. Without her explaining her model, it's hard to know what that truly means and how it is precise and actionable. You could infer somewhat from the Q&A’s, but it would have been much easier if she had just laid it all out within the text of the book early on. Now that I've warned you of some of the pitfalls of the execution of this, if this book’s topic interests you, you'll have a better idea of how to navigate it.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I think this book has a fascinating topic, but I don't quite agree with the execution of it. The author first discusses what leadership agility means. In the first part of the book especially, before we get to the paradoxes, I think the author injects herself into the book too often. Her spin on these eight paradoxes and her personally developed coaching model make this an expertise book, but there's always the danger of the expert making the book about himself or herself rather than the reader, and I think this happened in the first part of the book.
The chapters on the 8 paradoxes themselves weren't logically organized. She uses a simple “this vs that” model to summarize each paradox, like top-down vs. bottom-up or enforcing vs. empowering. As what she means may not be readily apparent, I think she should have started each of these chapters with an explanation of them. Instead, she starts with a story of one of her clients that embodies the particular paradox. The explanation follows this. I think it would be easier to see her point about the paradox if the explanation about it came first. One paradox itself made me do a double-take, and I think she should have changed the name of the first part of it, which was Executing. As soon as I saw that word, I thought of its usual meaning: killing. Of course, that was not what she meant here! Perhaps she could have chosen a different word that didn't have that additional denotation, like Completing, which she used to help define what Executing meant.
Nearly half the book is answers that her clients have filled out during her coaching sessions as they explored their particular paradox. That is a lot of space to give to this; I think it should have been condensed somewhat. I also think these just should have gone into the particular chapters themselves rather than as a group at the end.
I have an issue with the graphics in these books. I typically read books on either my Kindle or my Kindle PC app. The first graphic (about her Re4 coaching method in general) especially was so small that I couldn’t read it even with my PC app. I had a little easier time reading the other ones. I also didn't think that she really explained or defined what her Re4 coaching model is. We see it in action as her clients use it in those examples Q&A’s that I mentioned before, but I didn't see any place where she really talked about it. And each of the four Re’s themselves has a somewhat figurative title, like Refresh Your Lens. Without her explaining her model, it's hard to know what that truly means and how it is precise and actionable. You could infer somewhat from the Q&A’s, but it would have been much easier if she had just laid it all out within the text of the book early on. Now that I've warned you of some of the pitfalls of the execution of this, if this book’s topic interests you, you'll have a better idea of how to navigate it.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
March 28, 2024
Truly enjoyed reading Yeo Chuen Chuen's “8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility” 🙂
Some key takeaways include:
• Balance of Control and Empowerment: Successful leaders navigate the paradox of providing structure and control while empowering individuals, fostering a sense of autonomy.
• Adaptability and Consistency: Leaders need to balance adaptability to change with maintaining consistency in their values and principles, creating stability in dynamic environments.
• Risk-Taking and Caution: Embracing calculated risks while being mindful of potential pitfalls is crucial for agile leadership, finding the delicate equilibrium between innovation and prudence.
• Individual Growth and Team Development: A leader’s agility involves fostering both individual growth and team cohesion, recognizing the interconnectedness of personal and collective success.
• Openness to Ideas and Decision-Making Authority: Leaders should encourage diverse perspectives while being decisive when necessary, finding a harmonious blend between inclusivity and efficient decision-making.
• Long-Term Vision and Short-Term Results: Successful leaders balance a strategic, long-term vision with the need for tangible short-term results, ensuring the organization’s sustainable growth.
• Global and Local Perspectives: Leaders must navigate the paradox of thinking globally while acting locally, understanding the nuances of diverse markets while aligning with overarching organizational goals.
• Confidence and Humility: An agile leader exudes confidence while maintaining humility, acknowledging their strengths while being open to learning and adapting to new insights.
These paradoxes illustrate the multifaceted nature of leadership agility, emphasizing the importance of finding equilibrium between seemingly conflicting qualities for effective leadership in a dynamic world.
Some key takeaways include:
• Balance of Control and Empowerment: Successful leaders navigate the paradox of providing structure and control while empowering individuals, fostering a sense of autonomy.
• Adaptability and Consistency: Leaders need to balance adaptability to change with maintaining consistency in their values and principles, creating stability in dynamic environments.
• Risk-Taking and Caution: Embracing calculated risks while being mindful of potential pitfalls is crucial for agile leadership, finding the delicate equilibrium between innovation and prudence.
• Individual Growth and Team Development: A leader’s agility involves fostering both individual growth and team cohesion, recognizing the interconnectedness of personal and collective success.
• Openness to Ideas and Decision-Making Authority: Leaders should encourage diverse perspectives while being decisive when necessary, finding a harmonious blend between inclusivity and efficient decision-making.
• Long-Term Vision and Short-Term Results: Successful leaders balance a strategic, long-term vision with the need for tangible short-term results, ensuring the organization’s sustainable growth.
• Global and Local Perspectives: Leaders must navigate the paradox of thinking globally while acting locally, understanding the nuances of diverse markets while aligning with overarching organizational goals.
• Confidence and Humility: An agile leader exudes confidence while maintaining humility, acknowledging their strengths while being open to learning and adapting to new insights.
These paradoxes illustrate the multifaceted nature of leadership agility, emphasizing the importance of finding equilibrium between seemingly conflicting qualities for effective leadership in a dynamic world.
January 12, 2023
I have had the privilege to have listened to the author speak before and whilst reading her book, I can imagine the tone and voice as I move through the written words on the page. There is a sense of authenticity that elicits connectedness to the lessons prosed in cold text form.
Also appreciated was her touching on what it means to be agile and to uncover meaning in our pursuits, particularly how stress can come about from being untrue to one's own values. My own takeaway is a lesson on humility and embracing learning from failures.
As an aspiring coach what also piqued my interest was the questions used to bring about insight from her client and with full disclosure from the author in the 2nd part of the book, the questions are repeated. The selection of the 8 paradoxes are very common to leaders and I could identify with many of the situations her clients found themselves mucking through and definitely had I picked up this book at an earlier stage in my career would have benefitted more
Also appreciated was her touching on what it means to be agile and to uncover meaning in our pursuits, particularly how stress can come about from being untrue to one's own values. My own takeaway is a lesson on humility and embracing learning from failures.
As an aspiring coach what also piqued my interest was the questions used to bring about insight from her client and with full disclosure from the author in the 2nd part of the book, the questions are repeated. The selection of the 8 paradoxes are very common to leaders and I could identify with many of the situations her clients found themselves mucking through and definitely had I picked up this book at an earlier stage in my career would have benefitted more
February 26, 2023
With real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the paradoxes the book offers practical advice on how leaders can develop the necessary skills to become more agile. The book is well-structured and easy to follow, with clear and concise language.
Overall, "8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility" is an insightful and informative book that is relevant to leaders in any industry. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of leadership in the real world, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills.
My thanks and apologies to Netgalley for the delayed review.
Overall, "8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility" is an insightful and informative book that is relevant to leaders in any industry. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of leadership in the real world, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills.
My thanks and apologies to Netgalley for the delayed review.
June 1, 2020
Chuen Chuen’s proprietary Re4 coaching model is a structured and practical guide to find solutions in our daily lives.
She uses metaphors in her coaching to engage clients. This allows clients to gain insights into their situation. So are the 8 Paradox exercises which arouse self-awareness and enable understanding.
She uses metaphors in her coaching to engage clients. This allows clients to gain insights into their situation. So are the 8 Paradox exercises which arouse self-awareness and enable understanding.
May 17, 2024
A good and easy read. I see Christopher and Prakash in myself, and I enjoy reading the metaphors of spider to network repeater and Swiss Army knife to tools-in-toolbox. Gratitude exercise daily is also a useful tip to give ourselves a pat on our shoulder even if things don’t go our way. Spark some ideas and made me curious about more ways to help team members improve critical thinking.
December 21, 2020
Change is the only thing that remains constant. As the work environment and way we work are changing we should learn how to cop up and up to the mark and be a good leader. The author narrates with some stories to relate and understand. the issues.
August 2, 2021
So helpful ideas, I liked her 4 Re paradigm for looking at paradoxes. Also self-promoting enough that I barely got past the opening. You could probably just read the last third of the book and have the meat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2020
Besides the “Re4 model”, which to be really honest felt borrowed, there is nothing really revolutionary about this book.
December 19, 2020
An useful and inspiring coaching tool book.
June 12, 2021
Absolutely adored the straight forward prose style and the immaculately organized book.
Will recommend it to everyone in or aspiring to be in a leadership position.
Will recommend it to everyone in or aspiring to be in a leadership position.
December 26, 2023
Chuen Chuen gives you the tool and elaborates how to use it with relatable case studies she faced over the years! Read more to find out how it can elevate your leadership to the next level :)
August 7, 2020
Who is a leader and what has it to do with agile? Agile is a great way to be flexible and adopt to different situations business. The book providers a 4R model journey in how to become agile. This a transformation model that drives your inner leader through important steps that business will benefit from.
July 6, 2020
Helpful
I really like the book. Unlike most leadership books, it provides a very realistic insight for such complex topic with a clear writing style. The author explained each paradox and provided real life examples, this makes the reader relate to the topic, therefore learn better. I haven’t got to the reflection part, but I am excited to test my skills.
I really like the book. Unlike most leadership books, it provides a very realistic insight for such complex topic with a clear writing style. The author explained each paradox and provided real life examples, this makes the reader relate to the topic, therefore learn better. I haven’t got to the reflection part, but I am excited to test my skills.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews