Harder Than I Thought: Adventures of a Twenty-First Century Leader

Description

Today's CEO must be a global leader who also understands that parts of the business must be managed locally. Someone who sets a strategic vision, though industry and technology disruptions will surely threaten that vision. Someone who must live in the future to go to the future, while continuously creating economic and social value. Not an easy task. Harder Than I Thought is a fictional narrative that puts this increasingly complex job in context-by enabling you to walk alongside Jim Barton, the new CEO of Santa Monica Aerospace, as he steps into the role. Barton's story, developed in consultation with seasoned, reallife CEOs, contains crucial lessons for all leaders hoping to master the new skills required to move into the Csuite. 1 First Day 1 -- 2 Getting to Know SMA 13 -- First Interlude: The Lords of Leadercraft 35 -- 3 Financials and Trust 41 -- 4 Transparency 57 -- Second Interlude: A Leader of Men 71 -- 5 Reunion 73 -- 6 The Board of Directors 85 -- 7 Getting Great Performance from People 101 -- Third Interlude: Your Lineup Is a Mess! 119 -- 8 Rallying the Team 123 -- 9 Restructuring the Board 137 -- 10 Consulting with a Peer 151 -- 11 Implementation 163 -- 12 Test Drive 177 -- 13 The Agony of Defeat 189 -- 14 Wildcard 201 -- 15 Bluebirds Fly In 217 -- Fourth Interlude: Execute, Execute, Execute 229 -- 16 Globalization 233 -- 17 Execution 245 -- 18 Public Life, Private Life 255 -- 19 Communicate, Communicate 265 -- 20 Partnering Risks Realized 273 -- Fifth Interlude: The Leadership Main Course 283 -- 21 There Is a Time ... 287 -- Finale: Still Figuring It Out 297 -- Ways of Using This Book 299 -- Cast of Main Characters 301.