Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success

by Angie Morgan, Courtney Lynch, Sean Lynch, Frederick W. Smith (Foreword by)

Overview

From the team behind the corporate leadership consulting firm Lead Star—three leadership experts with military backgrounds—comes the New York Times bestseller Spark, “a myth-destroying book that will make you rethink both the theory and practice of leadership” (Daniel H. Pink).

Leadership is not about job titles—it’s about action and behavior. “Sparks” are the doers, thinkers, innovators, and key influencers who are catalysts for personal and organizational change. But these extraordinary individuals aren’t defined by the place they hold on an organizational chart—they are defined by their actions, commitment, and will.

Leadership experts Angie Morgan, Courtney Lynch, and Sean Lynch show how you can become a Spark by cultivating seven key leadership behaviors. Grounded in the latest research on leadership development, this fresh, accessible road map is packed with real-world stories from inside companies like Facebook, Google, and Boston Scientific, and from the authors’ own high-stakes, challenging experiences serving in the US Armed Forces.

With Spark as a blueprint, anyone can become a catalyst for change, and any organization can identify and develop Sparks.

Featuring a Foreword by Frederick W. Smith, founder, chairman and CEO of FedEx

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781328745644
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/02/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	302,307
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Courtney Lynch and Angie Morgan are the co-founders of Lead Star and co-authors of the best-selling business book Leading from the Front. Both women advise executives on strategy, organizational development, and talent management initiatives. Courtney and Angie are also Directors of the Center for Creative Leadership’s Partner Network, a premier organization for thought leading consultants, executive coaches and trainers.
 
Courtney holds a BA from North Carolina State University and a JD from William & Mary Law School. She served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. She resides in Richmond, VA, with her husband and three children.
 
Angie holds a BA and MBA from the University of Michigan. She served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. She resides in Traverse City, MI, with her husband and two children.
 

Sean Lynch is a senior consultant at Lead Star and specializes in designing and delivering leadership programming. He holds a BA from Yale University and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Sean resides in Bradenton, FL, with his wife and two children. 
 

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction: Defining a Spark 1

1 Confronting the Myths of Leadership 15

2 Your Character: The Congruence Between Values and Actions 33

3 The Four Keys to Being Credible 55

4 Becoming an Accountable Leader 77

5 Act with Intent: Make Decisions That Matter 98

6 Be of Service: Recognize and Meet Others' Needs 121

7 Build Your Confidence 147

8 Demonstrate Consistency 173

Conclusion 196

Acknowledgments 202

Index 203

Editorial Reviews

"SPARK is a myth-destroying book that will make you rethink both the theory and practice of leadership.  In a straightforward and direct way, the authors show that leading is a choice, that values and actions must be in sync, and that being of service is the ultimate touchstone of genuine leadership. Whatever your job title or circle of influence, this book can help you light your own spark.” —Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of DRIVE and TO SELL IS HUMAN  “If you truly want to become a Spark in your organization and in your life, I urge you to read this book now.” —Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski – Head Coach, Duke University Men’s Basketball   “It’s remarkable how these three can-do individuals have pooled their hard-earned management insights into a winning book that can quickly elevate anyone in business to greater heights.” —Alison Levine, international leadership expert and bestselling author of ON THE EDGE   “Winning performance is dependent on sparks, those rare individuals within your organization who get things done and then some. This book will teach you how to become a spark…and how to lead them too.” —David Burkus, author of UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT and Host of Radio Free Leader podcast   “In SPARK, the authors give a clear roadmap for how anyone, at any organizational level, can develop their leadership skills. The authors are not only great leadership thinkers, but they have all led people in challenging circumstances—a huge advantage in guiding the rest of us.  Trust them to take you to a new level.”  —Thomas A. Kolditz, Brigadier General, US Army (ret) and Director of the Ann and John Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University   “The skills I learned as a Marine 50 years ago have been the foundation of my leadership approach throughout my career. SPARK has captured those critical concepts, and presents them in an organized, effective way that makes it easy to bring them to life in today’s challenging business environment.  Having worked first hand with Angie, Courtney, and Sean in the past, it is no surprised that they have captured the essence of effective leadership in SPARK.”  —Dave Gagnon, CEO, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill   “In these times of change, leadership in organizations, large and small, seek direction and insight into how to best  embrace organizational  transformation and growth.   With uncommon clarity, Spark lays out a formula for the kind of leadership that can positively transform and empower any organization –  founded on ethical values of character and credibility;  and by  making the point that leadership is  not about authority or title, but about influencing outcomes and inspiring others.” —Michael Steinberg, MD, Executive Vice President,UCLA Health   “This powerful book highlights a critical and frequently overlooked truth: Everyone has the potential to be a leader, and organizations reach their full potential only when they develop all of their women and men with that goal in mind. The authors offer plentiful, practical advice, and leaders at every level will learn from their wisdom.” —Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.) President and CEO, Center for Creative Leadership   “Need help developing your vision for what you want next, and what comes after that? SPARK is yo —

From the Publisher