The IGI Global publication
Dynamic Leadership Models for Global Business: Enhancing Digitally Connected Environments recently received a positive review from Ulla de Stricker, a well-known Information and Knowledge Management Consultant. Written by Peter A. C. Smith and Tom Cockburn of The Leadership Alliance Inc., New Zealand,
Dynamic Leadership Models for Global Business: Enhancing Digitally Connected Environments describes various models on how to become an outstanding leader in today’s rapidly growing global business environments. This book seeks to provide positive instruction which illuminates a practical path to becoming a successful leader in large and competitive markets utilizing an approach consistent with any existing leadership development program, or it may be undertaken as an individual initiative. The full review follows:
"The professional field of organizational leadership has just received an outstanding addition in the form of a book so wide-ranging it is sure to inspire anyone with an interest in being on top of the key challenges inherent in any leadership role with a global
reach.
The two authors bring decades of global business experience to bear on a thoroughly researched and extremely well written "master class" covering the rapidly changing landscape of managing enterprises in a digital world. The chapter titles tell the story of the intellectual breadth of the work: Leadership; Dynamic Leadership Process; Organizational Contexts; Complexity and Organizational Learning; Sustainability; Socio-Digital Technologies; Knowledge Management; Innovation; Generational Demographics; Leadership, Global Business, and Digitally Connected Environments. (Note: Each chapter is available individually for purchase from the publisher; the first few pages may be previewed.)
Anyone currently in a leading or business strategy role - or aspiring to such a role - would do well to use the book, immediately, as a foundation for reflection and deepening of understanding and, as time goes on, as a trusted companion to be consulted in the context of changing circumstances. Together, the chapters add up to a mosaic of thoughtful coverage of the influences, considerations, challenges, complexities, and uncertainties leaders must confront and incorporate in their thinking and decision making. As the authors state in the first chapter: "We have assembled this book as if the reader is wandering around the outside of a fence that encloses an unfamiliar building site … [glimpsing] … activities (a subsystem) associated with erecting the whole edifice (the system) … at one point the ground is being excavated; at another place cement is being poured; and here a framework of girders is being erected, … in some places the work is being impacted by peripheral events such as the contour of the ground, inclement weather, or industrial action." The analogy is apt: Organizational leadership and strategic business planning is indeed a work in progress being affected constantly by powerful new forces (huge demographic shifts, globalization, political and economic uncertainty, and cultural change being just a few). As the book illustrates in every chapter, these forces push leaders into a constant process of adapting to the evolving world while reengineering the nature of leadership in a digitally dominated environment.
With particular skill in summarizing the scholarly research, the authors describe in each chapter the key developments leading up to the current state of affairs, provide case studies, and discuss the outlook. Those engaged in teaching and mentoring tomorrow's leaders have a one-stop cornucopia of references to the collective intellectual capital of respected authorities in the disciplines surrounding the topics covered. It is particularly gratifying for this knowledge management focused reviewer to see in Chapter 7 a thorough examination of the field informed by great sensitivity to the human factors determining the success of KM initiatives and practices.
The title does not do justice to wealth and depth of knowledge woven together - but then again, it would be impossible to construct any title living up to such a task. What matters is that the reader's attention to and focus on the intellectual capital in the book will be richly rewarded."
Ulla de Stricker is an Information and Knowledge Management Consultant (
www.destricker.com) helping her clients address a wide range of challenges and opportunities associated with the mechanisms for discovering and capturing information objects and for protecting and leveraging organizational memory. Via her activities in professional associations, she in addition assists numerous graduate students and career changers through resume reviews, workshops, and individual mentoring. Ulla is a frequent contributor to the professional literature and a well known speaker at professional events.
IGI Global recently featured an
interview with Peter A. C. Smith and Tom Cockburn, discussing their publication and experience.