Comprehensively researched, thought-provoking, and eminently practical VAE: The Work of Leaders stimulates fresh conversations and new perspectives regardless of the leader’s knowledge or experience. It’s an opportunity for leaders at all levels of learning to reflect on how they approach each step of their work along a “leadership continua” and helps leaders take action with personalized tips and strategies that give clear direction and are easy to apply.
Introductory chapters introduce the steps of the VAE process, defines, demystifies, and contextualizes each, and sets up the three key “drivers” for each step. Subsequent chapters address each driver in detail.
Driver chapters introduce keys and behaviors that leaders use to further each step of the model and provides specific strategies for those who are looking to increase their ability to explore during the vision process. It also makes these ideas concrete by relating illustrative examples or anecdotes about people and organizations who have used these drivers to improve their effectiveness to realize each step in meaningful ways. Throughout each chapter, proprietary research and quotes from key thinkers help to add interest and depth to the discussion.
Concluding chapters aim to “bring to life” each step with real-world stories that illustrate key lessons about each step on the leadership continua. These examples show the simplicity, intuitiveness, and usefulness of each step as a part of the work of leaders. It also includes suggested reading for further exploration of this aspect of the work of leaders.
Chapter 1: VAE: A Simple Intuitive Process You Can Use Every Day
Chapter 2: Introduction to Vision
Chapter 3: Vision Driver #1: Exploration
Chapter 4: Vision Driver #2: Boldness
Chapter 5: Vision Driver #3: Testing Assumptions
Chapter 6: Vision: Bringing it to Life
Chapter 7: Introduction to Alignment
Chapter 8: Alignment Driver #1: Clarity
Chapter 9: Alignment Driver #2: Dialogue
Chapter 10: Alignment Driver #3: Inspiration
Chapter 11: Alignment: Bringing it to Life
Chapter 12: Introduction to Execution
Chapter13: Execution Driver #1: Momentum
Chapter 14: Execution Driver #2: Structure
Chapter 15: Execution Driver #3: Feedback
Chapter 16: Execution: Bringing it to Life
Chapter 17: Pulling it All Together: Personalizing VAE in Your Organization
Appendix: Work of Leaders Research