Mastering the Challenges of Leading Change
By H. James Dallas

Head: (3 out of 5)
Heart: (4 out of 5)
Leadership Applicability: (5 out of 5)

Change leaders know how to navigate both the change process, as well as manage the people dynamic. They understand their role expands beyond that of a project leader – it involves being an agent of change. The content of this book will show leaders how to do just that.

Drawing on the wisdom gained from years as a leader driving change, including 15 acquisition integrations, 10 enterprise resource planning implementations and 5 quality and customer service improvement programs at companies such as Medtronic and Georgia-Pacific, the author, James Dallas, offers insights into the skills and qualities leaders need to possess to be effective.  The content is broken down into a four-part model, which is based on proven techniques that have worked well for the author as a change leader:

• Priorities: Understanding how to launch a change initiative properly, including how to identify the priorities of others and company culture
• Politics: Understanding and navigating politics, creating messages that influence and inspire others and overcoming resistance.
• People: How to effectively build relationships and build trust
• Perseverance: Fixing things that break along the way and making change stick

The book also includes “life stories” that the author returns to again and again for their nuggets of wisdom and applicability in change processes.  This information will supplement your favorite traditional project management methodologies so you can successfully affect change in your organization.

Leaders who want to create lasting impact will want to read this book.  Buy it now.