By: Roy Gruber on October 21, 2021
How we think does not occupy one’s thinking. So says psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman. Like the process involved in the air we breathe, our decisions happen naturally, or so we assume. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Kahneman examines the biases of intuition.[1] The author employs principles of behavioral economics to inform numerous examples from…
By: Andy Hale on October 21, 2021
If we scratch just a little bit beneath the surface, maybe I am not as wise and thoughtful as I initially thought. What leads me to such thinking beyond a general observation of my existence? Kahneman so lovely argued, “Our comforting conviction that the world makes sense rests on a secure foundation: our almost unlimited…
By: Eric Basye on October 21, 2021
Daniel Kahneman’s book, Thinking Fast and Slow, dives deep into the science of how humans make decisions. In this in-depth and witty book, the author provides a two-system approach to categorize how decisions are made. “System 1 operates automatically and quickly, with little or no effect and no sense of voluntary control,” whereas “System 2…
By: Michael Simmons on October 20, 2021
Comprehending Daniel Kahneman’s book Thinking Fast and Slow is like trying to capture the entire Grand Canyon in a single photo – there is so much detail and stimuli coming in that it is nearly impossible to see a single detail. So, I cognitively zoom up a few thousand feet to gain a greater perspective on…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on October 20, 2021
Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow, while daunting in size provides an engaging opportunity for the reader to think differently about common notions of psychology, statistics, and intuition. While the work in essence focuses on the psychological factors behind economic behavior, there is much more to glean, especially from a leadership lens. It is evident…
By: Elmarie Parker on October 15, 2021
Simon P. Walker writes Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (The Undefended Leader Trilogy Book 1) out of his experience working with The Leadership Community.[1] That alone sets his work apart from many other books classified under leadership development based on psychological insight. Walker writes for the purpose of…
By: Jonathan Lee on October 14, 2021
Simon Walker, the author of The Undefended Leader, challenges the readers to look up to the summit of the mountain where few extraordinary ‘undefended leaders’ can be found. He presents the idea of reaching our true potential to be an undefended leader – “These are the ones whose life and philosophy have involved deliberate acts…
By: Nicole Richardson on October 14, 2021
“Phenomenal cosmic power. Itty bitty living Space.” These were Genie’s words to Aladdin as he described the give and take of being a Genie in a bottle. I thought of this line when reading our book this week. Simon Walker’s book “The Undefended Leader” promises to take the potential leader to the top of a…
By: Henry Gwani on October 14, 2021
The Undefended Leader may be seen as a philosophical book that uses metaphor, case studies and religion, especially Christianity, to discuss the importance of a morally healthy leadership. The trilogy begins by examining how leaders defend themselves (try to ‘protect’ their weaknesses) through hypocrisy, abuse of power and control. It then identifies various dimensions of…
By: Roy Gruber on October 14, 2021
Amid a time when the over-used word “authentic” means so many things that it means very little, Simon P. Walker offers a foundation on which genuine, personal leadership can emerge. “Leading Out of Who You Are,” the first in a trilogy, clearly identifies leadership as the topic. The subcategory of self-leadership puts Walker’s book a…
By: Denise Johnson on October 14, 2021
The book Leading Out of Who You Are, by Simon Walker is the first volume of his trilogy on this topic. He introduces his work by leading the reader through the faults and weaknesses of a leader who is being driven by the effects of their family of origin. These subconscious forces impact how a…
By: Troy Rappold on October 14, 2021
In his book, “Leading out of Who You Are” Simon Walker attempts to reveal the “secrets” that lie behind great leadership. This is book one of his trilogy entitled, “The Undefended Leader.” Walker states, “Leadership is about who you are, not what you know or what skills you have” (p.5). It is a common notion…
By: Andy Hale on October 14, 2021
Do you want to lead? Then place a mirror ahead of you and behind you to get a complete perspective of who you indeed are. “Leadership is the activity—any activity—that leads other people more deeply into this full humanity: which enables them to take hold of, and take responsibility for, the life that they, as…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on October 13, 2021
In the first book in The Undefended Leader trilogy, Simon Walker depicts the landscape of the undefended leader in a visual manner that offers the reader concrete and practical application at the end of each chapter. His concept of the undefended leader can boil down to their core identity – they know who they are…
By: Eric Basye on October 13, 2021
Simon Walker, the author of The Undefended Leader, is a professor, writer, and leadership coach committed to developing leaders from all walks of life. In the introduction, he writes, “some of us long – and hope – for a different kind of leadership. We still believe that a leader should say what he means and…
By: Michael Simmons on October 13, 2021
Simon Walker defines a leader as one who takes responsibility for other people. This is curious and counter to Friedman’s definition of leadership which emphasizes self differentiation. Leadership, for Simon, is about who you are, and rather than placing responsibility on the system, Walker believes such weight rests on individuals leaders and their relationships with…
By: Elmarie Parker on October 8, 2021
In 1955 Peter Seger wrote and sang: Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing… Oh, When will you ever learn? Oh, When will you ever learn?[1] In the totality of his song, Seger lamented the enduring reality of war and suffering across our globe, in every age of humankind. “When will you ever…
By: Denise Johnson on October 7, 2021
Edwin Friedman’s A Failure of Nerve outlines the various systems of society, their engagement, functionality and dysfunctionality. Particularly in relationship to the tension between the expression of self and the harmony in the community. His diverse background of experiences provides for a comprehensive look at the role of leadership in the development of mature followers…
By: Jonathan Lee on October 7, 2021
Edwin H. Friedman, in his book A Failure of Nerve, focuses on discussing the root causes and underlying mechanics of ‘failure of nerve’ in leaders. He approached leadership from a different direction of perspective and explained that “leadership is essentially an emotional process rather than a cognitive phenomenon.”[1] While many leadership books discourses on building…
By: Nicole Richardson on October 7, 2021
“No good deed goes unpunished. No good deed goes unresented.” These words are sung by Elphaba in the musical Wicked as she wrestles with her self while facing sabotage to her leadership. Elphaba’s journey through the musical is a fascinating study of leaders working out—or not—self-differentiation in the midst of the chronically anxious community of…
