Book review: The 3rd Alternative by Stephen M. R. Covey
07 avril 2021
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🔮 A hidden treasure in the world of leadership books: 'The 3rd Alternative' by Stephen M. R. Covey 🔮
Everybody knows Stephen Covey, the multimillion-copy bestselling author of ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.’
âš¡ 'The 3rd Alternative' introduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving, transcending traditional solutions to conflict by forging a third option path
âš¡ A third alternative moves beyond "your way or my way" to a higher and better way, one that allows both parties to emerge from debate or even heated conflict in a far better place than either had envisioned
âš¡ With the third alternative, nobody has to give up anything, and everyone wins
âš¡ Through key examples and stories from his work as a consultant, Covey demonstrates how to create new and better results instead of escalating conflict and building solid relationships based on an attitude of winning together
Struggles of a manager
Managers are
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- lack self-confidence
- don’t know how to go from being a colleague to being a boss
- need to loosen up on the command & control leadership style
- must let go of the (technical) expert status
- cannot give or accept constructive feedback
- feel pressure to perform as manager
- have difficulty building relationships
- want to be liked by everyone or want to be the ‘bad boss’
- play the hero
- …
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- stay too involved in operations
- have trouble prioritizing
- cannot delegate
- fear conflict situations
- disconnect from the team
- deal with flawed strategic thinking
- do not relate to higher management
- lack clear communication skills
- remain not self-aware
- avoid difficult conversations
- miss political antennas
- ...
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- need mental preparation as successor
- need to be able to lead big changes ahead
- need to learn to be emotionally resilient and in control
- need to learn to make big decisions fast without all the information
- must become persuasive presenters
- need to learn how to cultivate their own personal brand
- need to learn how to lead by example
- manage by trust, not by fear
- need to overly develop empathy
- ...
