Posts in Boardroom
Strategic Alignment
Strategic Alignment

Mentee Reading | The best-aligned enterprises are the best performing. Strategic alignment - of internal and external factors - is critical for all aspects of a company to be synchronised towards a common purpose and moving in the same direction. Alignment is systemic and iterative requiring continuous evaluation, adjustment and communication.

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Conversations That Matter, Disruption, Execution, Future Focus, High-Performance, Leadership, Reading Circle, Strategy, The Long View, Think Differently!Dianne JacobsAlign: A Leadership Blueprint for Aligning Enterprise Purpose, Strategy and Organisation, Jonathan Trevor, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking: Leading Your Organization Into the Future, Michael D. Watkins, Rethinking Competitive Advantage: New Rules for the Digital Age, Ram Charan, Corporate Lifecycles, Ichak Adzes, Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society, Arun Gupta, Gerard George and Thomas J. Fewer, Value Creation for Owners and Directors: A Practical Guide on How to Lead your Business, Massimo Massa, Kaikhushru (“Kai”) Taraporevala and Ludo Van der HeydenComment
Learn To Love The Problem
Learn To Love The Problem

Mentee Reading | Having problems is *not* the problem. Can you find the opportunity and build a better or novel solution? What do you do when you're faced with a big decision? How can you Work Creatively! to be more effective as a strategist, innovator or problem-solver? What do you do when a wild problem requires a leap in the dark? How can you seek viewpoints, be open minded, question your own judgement or conclusions, look for novelty, adopt integrative thinking and look for what you can learn?

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Coach-Mentor, Conversations That Matter, Problem Solving, Reading Circle, The Long View, Think Differently!, C-Suite, Boardroom, Continuous Learning, Curiosity, Executive Committees, Future Focus, Leadership, New Business Leader, Stimulating IdeasDianne JacobsAchieving, Breakthrough, Business Leadership, CEO, Emergent Strategy, Future Choices, Get The Right Things Done, Ideas, Risk, Loonshots, Imagination, Connected Strategy, Outside-In Thinking, Problem Solving, Questions, Strategy, Diverse Thinking, Work Creatively, Excellence, Love The Problem, How To Decide, Solving Problems, Test Business Ideas, Creativity, Uri Levine, Russ Roberts, Tony Fadell, Annie Duke, Charles Conn, Robert McLean, Decisions That Define, Dianne Jacobs, The Talent Advisors, To Solve a Tough Problem, Reframe It, Julia Binder and Michael D. WatkinsComment
Make Possibilities Happen
Make Possibilities Happen

Mentee Reading | There are two critical things an executive can influence when it comes to making possibilities happen: your strategy and your ability to execute that strategy. After all, any dream, idea or goal without the ability to bring it to reality is merely wishful thinking. Moving from visualisation to actualisation takes a specific skill set, hyper focus and discipline.

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Conversations That Matter, Effort, Execution, Flux and Failure, Leadership, Make It Happen, Mastery, Problem Solving, Reading Circle, Strategy, The Long View, Think Differently!, Transformation, Multiply Your ImpactDianne JacobsMake Possibilities Happen: How to Transform Ideas into Reality, Grace Hawthorne, How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters, Michael Stanier Bungay, The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals, Sean Covey, Chris McChesney and Jim Huling, The Change Book: Fifty models to explain how things happen, Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler, Super Vision: An Eye-Opening Approach to Getting Unstuck, Sherife AbdelMessih, Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More, Chris BaileyComment
New Kind of Business Leadership
New Kind of Business Leadership

Mentee Reading | As the business environment is transforming a new kind of business leadership is emerging. Contemporary organisations are seeking solutionists, activists, relationists, imperfectionists all with the curiosity and a mindset necessary for a fragmented, uncertain and non-linear future.

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Conversations That Matter, Continuous Learning, Future Focus, Leadership, Problem Solving, Reading Circle, Questions, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Curiosity, Mastery, Disruption, Risk, Strategy, Sustainability, Transformation, New Business LeaderDianne JacobsCuriosity, Diverse Thinking, Future, Ideas, Leadership, Imagination, Connection, Invention and Innovation, Outside-In Thinking, Problem Solving, Outside-In Questions, Excellence, design-thinking paradigm, ideas-informed society, facing the future, Business LeadershipComment
Storytellers and Powerful Stories
Storytellers and Powerful Stories

Mentee Reading | Powerful stories. Storytellers. Right story. What can storytelling do for you? Which stories do you need to tell, and how do you tell them? Do you worry about holding people's attention? Are you unsure where to start when faced with writing a report? Are you preparing for a discussion and wondering how to get all your points across? What are the four stories that form your narrative and how will you utilise them?

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Conversations That Matter, Continuous Learning, Future Focus, Leadership, Problem Solving, Reading Circle, Questions, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Curiosity, Mastery, Powerful Stories, New Business LeaderDianne JacobsCuriosity, Diverse Thinking, Future, Ideas, Leadership, Imagination, Connection, Invention and Innovation, Outside-In Thinking, Problem Solving, Outside-In Questions, Excellence, design-thinking paradigm, ideas-informed society, facing the future, Storytelling, Powerful StoriesComment
Strategy and Future Choices
Strategy and Future Choices

Mentee Reading | What is strategy and why is it so difficult? This reading series will help answer these questions. Strategies are fundamentally about choice, difference and advantage. It is as much about deciding what not to do and being alert to signals or noise, as it is about what will be done. It incorporates a systems perspective, it is intent-focused, level shifting, opportunistic and timely.

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Conversations That Matter, Continuous Learning, Disruption, Future Focus, Leadership, Problem Solving, Reading Circle, Questions, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Transformation, Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Strategy, Significance, New Business LeaderDianne JacobsCuriosity, Diverse Thinking, Future, Ideas, Leadership, Imagination, Connection, Invention and Innovation, Outside-In Thinking, Problem Solving, Outside-In Questions, Strategy, Transformation, Excellence, design-thinking paradigm, ideas-informed society, facing the future, Future Choices, Strategy and Systems, Emergent Strategy, Play To Win, Connected StrategyComment
Future-Proof The Organisation
Future-Proof The Organisation

Mentee Reading | Future proofing the organisation is the focus of this reading list selection, exploring how you can go beyond disruption for a thriving and enduring organisation. Purpose, people, customers and creativity are key. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Curiosity, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Disruption, Transformation, Human AI Interaction, Strategy, Executive Committees, Flux and Failure, Problem Solving, New Business LeaderDianne JacobsDiverse Thinking, Disruption, Transformation, Boardroom Dynamics, Rebel Ideas, CEO, Curiosity, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Conviction, Work Creatively, Strategy, Transform, Outside-In Thinking, Digital, Artificial Intelligence, Human - Digital InteractionComment
Digital and AI Epoch
Digital and AI Epoch

Mentee Reading | Certain questions need to be explored and resolved about AI and digital. How do you (out)compete? Will we use AI to improve the way we work and live, or will we allow it to alienate us? Where is the strategic and transformation value? Does human progress depends on choices we make about technology? What is a digital mindset and what does it take to thrive? Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Curiosity, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Disruption, Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Responsible AI, Human AI Interaction, StrategyDianne JacobsDiverse Thinking, Disruption, Transformation, Boardroom Dynamics, Rebel Ideas, CEO, Curiosity, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Loonshots, Conviction, Work Creatively, Strategy, Transform, Outside-In Thinking, Digital, Artificial Intelligence, Human - Digital InteractionComment
Flux, Failure and Risk
Flux, Failure and Risk

Mentee Reading | We face flux, change and difficult situations all the time. We may succeed or we may fail. It helps to both fail well and to learn from our success - to understand how we make decisions and our reasoning abilities. We can also learn from ‘risk-takers’ about why they do what they do, how they prepare, and how they’ve handled things going wrong. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, The Long View, Think Differently!, Problem Solving, High-Performance, Disruption, Transformation, Stimulating Ideas, Curiosity, Executive Committees, Strategy, Risk, Flux and FailureDianne JacobsThe NED and Talent AdvisorsDiverse Thinking, Boardroom Dynamics, CEO, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Strategy, Outside-In Thinking, Outside-In Questions, Conversations That Matter, Leadership, Decision Leadership, Problem Solving, Flux, Failure, Risk, Invention and Innovation Comment
A High-Performing Board
A High-Performing Board

Mentee Reading | A high-performing board is a function of good governance with the capability to lead through the future changes and current challenges of the external environment, guided by a skilled Chair and CEO, with competent people who know what they are doing and a clear organisational purpose. These are the underlying messages of the six books chosen. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, The Long View, Think Differently!, Problem Solving, High-Performance, Disruption, Transformation, Stimulating IdeasDianne JacobsDiverse Thinking, Boardroom Dynamics, CEO, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Strategy, Outside-In Thinking, Outside-In Questions, Conversations That Matter, Leadership, Decision Leadership, Problem Solving, High-Performing Boards, Board Chair, Board EffectivenessComment
Questions and Inquiry
Questions and Inquiry

Mentee Reading | Great questions make for better solutions and good conversation. Staying open to possibilities, intellectual curiosity and a ‘coach-not-tell’ style are key aspects of leading at the next level. Ask more, hold back on advice giving, use better questions and change the way you lead is what links these book choices. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Curiosity, Executive Promotions, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Questions, Problem SolvingDianne JacobsDiverse Thinking, Boardroom Dynamics, CEO, Creativity at Work, Curiosity, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Strategy, Outside-In Thinking, Outside-In Questions, Questions, Humble Inquiry, Conversations That Matter, Leadership, Decision Leadership, Problem SolvingComment
Disruption and Transformation
Disruption and Transformation

Mentee Reading | What is the relationship between growth and transformation? Why are some of the world’s most successful companies adopting and implementing innovative strategies, while others struggle? How do smart companies involve each and every stakeholder? What mindset is needed for perpetual innovation and relentless experimentation? Happy reading and stay curious!

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Boardroom, C-Suite, Coach-Mentor, Continuous Learning, Conversations That Matter, Curiosity, Executive Committees, Executive Promotions, Future Focus, Leadership, Reading Circle, Stimulating Ideas, The Long View, Think Differently!, Strategy, Disruption, Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Human AI InteractionDianne JacobsDiverse Thinking, Disruption, Transformation, Boardroom Dynamics, Rebel Ideas, CEO, Creativity at Work, Curiosity, Excellence, Future, Ideas, Loonshots, Conviction, Work Creatively, Strategy, Transform, Outside-In Thinking, Human - Digital InteractionComment
Clean Energy and Regeneration
Clean Energy and Regeneration

Mentee Reading | What are the greatest leverage points for reducing emissions? What are the human choices and alternatives? What do we need to do now? Can we build a better future? This series will assist you understand the clean energy supply chain, the implications of climate and carbon and the options of electrification, community involvement and the circular economy. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, SustainabilityDianne JacobsCEO, Leadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Imagination, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Merit, Cultural Diversity, Talent Management, Sustainability, Energy, Climate, Planet, Circular Economy, Alan Finkel, Saul Giffith, Paul Hawken, Walter Stahel, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Owen Gaffney, Jayati Ghosh, Johan Rockström, Per Espen Stoknes, Jørgen Randers.Comment
Rebels and Dissenters
Rebels and Dissenters

Mentee Reading | Change and creative problem-solving never comes easily. For ideas to evolve and societies to progress, it's vital to cultivate rebels who are committed to challenging and improving conventional wisdom. And it is not just individuals. Dissent, deviance, difference and defiance can be a normal and healthy aspect of group life. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Rebels and DisssentersDianne JacobsCEO, Leadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Rebels, Dissenters, RBG, Rebel Ideas, Diverse ThinkingComment
Leading and Organisations
Leading and Organisations

Mentee Reading | Managerial leadership happens within multiple contexts and multiple moments - the organisation, the coaching and mentoring of and with people, the sustainable future and volatile environments. These six books will help you navigate what it means to be a next-level leader. Happy reading and stay curious!

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, New Business LeaderDianne JacobsCEO, Leadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Imagination, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Merit, Cultural Diversity, Talent Management, Kirstin Ferguson, David Clutterbuck, Henry Mintzberg, Clarke Murphy, Jacqueline Brassey, Aaron De SmetMichiel Kruyt, Manfred F. R. Kets de VriesComment
Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Responsible Artificial Intelligence

Mentee Reading | How is AI shaping our ourselves, our humaness and our societies? What are the next big positive breakthroughs? How will AI change the way we govern, learn, heal, work and live? How ethical and responsible will it be? How can we make AI a partner in shaping a better world?

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Responsible AI, Artificial Intelligence, Human AI InteractionDianne JacobsLeadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Imagination, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, AI, Human, Future, Tom Davenport, Nitin Mittal, Dr Sam Kirshner, Prof Richard Vidgen, Dr Catriona Wallace, Kate Crawford, Dr Catherine Ball, Kavita Ganesan, Eric Schmidt, Danial Huttenlocher, Responsible AI, Human - Digital Interaction Comments
Gaining Insights
Gaining Insights

Mentee Reading | Curious about gaining insight, idea flow and management effectiveness? Ask the right questions, see what others don’t, develop new ways of thinking, learn from indigenous thinking and find better ways to meet challenges.

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Executive PromotionsDianne JacobsCEO, Leadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Imagination, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Merit, Cultural Diversity, Talent Management, Gary Klein, Hal Gregersen, Roger L Martin, Tyson Yunkaporta, Russ Roberts, Jeremy Utley, Perry KlebahnComment
The Merit of Different Leaders
The Merit of Different Leaders

Mentee Reading | Exploring the traps of meritocracy, culturally diverse leadership, bamboo ceilings, bridging differences. bias, changing minds, the quietly powerful and different generations.

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Reading Circle, Leadership, C-Suite, Boardroom, Executive Committees, Think Differently!, Strategy, Curiosity, Continuous Learning, Stimulating Ideas, Conversations That Matter, Future Focus, The Long View, Coach-Mentor, Executive PromotionsDianne JacobsCEO, Leadership, Behaviour, Loonshots, Imagination, Creativity at Work, Transformation, Outside-In Thinking, Work Creatively, Curiosity, Catalysts for Understanding, Coach-Mentor, Executive Promotions, Change Makers, Decision Leadership, Merit, Cultural Diversity, Talent Management, Daniel Markovits, Karen Loon, Lisa Z Fain, Lois J Zachary, Jessica Nordell, Megumi Miki, Tim ElmoreComment