Problem #1 with many books on leadership is reductionism: they boil leadership down to one or a few elements and let that stand for the whole. Real life experience tells us there's more to it. Side by Side offers a new model of leadership informed by systems theory which honors the complexity of leadership. At the same time it integrates many single items into a larger model.
If you're tired of "flavor of the month" leadership or management books, this is the closest you will get to a master operating system without having to wade through a lot of technical or academic jargon.
Some things I really liked?The substance of the book was based on research and real life testing?Anecdotes were in service of the key concepts, not replacements for true content...Layout--lots of illustrations and diagrams of the concepts throughout the book. This is really like a practical primer, a manual for leaders.
Problem #2 with many business and management books is that they run out of steam after the first third of the book. That doesn't happen in Side by Side. The last half of the book is filled with 20 skills and practical examples of how to practice Side by Side Leadership. Romig goes beyond theorizing; he shows us how to do it. There's a helpful self-assessment included toward the end of the book. It would be really valuable to give some time to completing one on yourself?then ask some people who know you well for some feedback after showing it to them.
I'm an executive coach. I want to get this book into the hands of all my clients and I'll recommend they get a copy for all the people who work for them. It's a great book for anyone who wants to improve how they work with others.
Some things I really liked...The substance of the book was based on research and real life testing...Anecdotes were in service of the key concepts, not replacements for true content...Layout--lots of illustrations and diagrams of the concepts throughout the book. This is really like a practical primer, a manual for leaders.
Problem #2 with many business and management books is that they run out of steam after the first third of the book. That doesn't happen in Side by Side. The last half of the book is filled with 20 skills and practical examples of how to practice Side by Side Leadership. Romig goes beyond theorizing; he shows us how to do it. There's a helpful self-assessment included toward the end of the book. It would be really valuable to give some time to completing one on yourself...then ask some people who know you well for some feedback after showing it to them.