The Prepared Leader: A Must-Read Book on Building Resilience and Leadership Skills
The Prepared Leader: A Must-Read Book on Building Resilience and Leadership Skills
The next crisis might be here now, or it might be around the corner. In The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Any Crisis More Resilient Than Before, two history-making experts in crisis leadership—James, dean of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Wooten, president of Simmons University—forcefully argue that the time to prepare is always.
In no other time in recent history have leaders in every industry and on every continent grappled with so many changes that have independently and simultaneously undermined their ability to lead. The Prepared Leader encapsulates more than two decades of the authors’ research to convey how it has positioned them to navigate through the distinct challenges of today and tomorrow. Their insights have implications for every leader in every industry and every worker at every level.
In their fast-reading and actionable book, James and Wooten provide tools and frameworks for addressing and learning from crises, and they provide insight into what you need to know to become a Prepared Leader, including:
The five phases of crisis management and the skills you need for each phase. They examine how the National Basketball Association and its commissioner, Adam Silver, responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Making the right decisions under pressure and how to avoid common mistakes. They reveal how Burger King CEO Jose Cil began planning for the aftermath of a crisis right in the middle of one.
Building a crisis leadership team and how to lead one that you’ve inherited. They detail how Wonya Lucas, CEO and President of the Crown Media Family Networks, aligned and mobilized an executive team during a time of crisis.
James and Wooten argue that—in addition to people, profit, and the planet—prepared leadership should be the fourth “P” in a company’s bottom line. They bring decades of world-renowned research on crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, management strategy, and positive leadership to the table to help leaders better prepare themselves to lead through crises—and for whatever lies around the corner.
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten is the ninth president of Simmons University and the first African American to lead the institution.
A seasoned academic and expert on organizational development, Lynn specializes in crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, and positive leadership. She is an innovative leader, prolific author, and presenter whose research has informed her work in the classroom and as an administrator. She co-authors an upcoming book, Arrives and Thrive 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, published in April 2022.
Follow President Wooten on Twitter at @lpwooten,
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-wooten-09ab0213/.
Read her full biography at https://www.simmons.edu/about/university-leadership/president/about-president
In times of crisis, leaders are put to the test. They are expected to make difficult decisions, manage uncertainty, and lead their teams with strength and resilience. But how do you develop these critical leadership skills? The answer lies in "The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Any Crisis More Resilient Than Before" by Erika H. James and Lynn Perry Wooten.
Published in September 2022, this book offers a comprehensive guide to building resilience in times of crisis. It draws on the authors' extensive experience in leadership development and crisis management to provide practical advice and real-world examples of preparing for and responding to a crisis.
Erika H. James became the dean of the Wharton School on July 1, 2020. Trained as an organizational psychologist, James is an expert on crisis leadership, workplace diversity and management strategy.
Prior to her appointment at Wharton, James was the John H. Harland Dean at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School from 2014 to 2020. An award-winning educator, accomplished consultant, and researcher, she is the first woman and first person of color to be appointed dean in Wharton’s 141-year history. As such she has paved the way for women in leadership both in education and corporate America.
James has been instrumental in developing course material in crisis leadership and women’s leadership and in leading programs for executive audiences in these areas. She earned her B.A from Pomona College and her PhD from the University of Michigan. James serves on the boards of Morgan Stanley, Momentive and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is coauthor, with Lynn Perry Wooten, of The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Any Crisis More Resilient Than Before.
One of the book's themes is building resilience before encountering a crisis. The authors argue that resilience is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. They provide a clear framework for building resilience, including creating a growth mindset, building solid relationships, and cultivating self-awareness.
A standout feature of "The Prepared Leader" is its emphasis on ethical leadership. The authors argue that leading with integrity, transparency, and empathy is more important than ever in times of crisis. They provide practical advice on how to make ethical decisions under pressure, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and maintain trust with your team.
The book is also highly actionable, with various tools and exercises to help readers apply the concepts to their leadership situations. The authors provide case studies of leaders who successfully navigated crises and activities to help readers build their resilience plans and develop ethical leadership skills.
Overall, "The Prepared Leader" is a must-read for anyone seeking to develop resilience and emerge stronger from any crisis. It offers a clear and practical guide to building strength, leading with integrity, and making ethical decisions under pressure. If you are a leader or aspiring leader, this book should be at the top of your reading list.