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Expert Publishing, Inc.Your resource for independent publishing |
Leadership Wipeout
The story of an executive's crash and rescue
by Chuck Bolton
Ben Stevens, a stressed out executive, knows he’s rapidly losing ground in his personal and professional lives. Reluctant to leave his work, yet determined to show his family his appreciation for their gift of a ski vacation at Vail, Stevens heads to Colorado to find a way out of his malaise. Confident the twenty years since he last hit the slopes with his buddies hasn’t eroded his ability, Ben skis an experts-only double black diamond run. He suffers a nearly diastrous spill, the Wipeout of all Wipeouts, leaving him battered, humiliated, and further depressed. Ski instructor, Ed Davis, came with the vacation package, but when Ben first saw Ed, sixty-ish and gray haired, Ben was sure he found his excuse to cut his vacation short and get back to work. Ben’s resolve quickly evaporated as he learned both skiing and leadership lessons from the recently retired chief executive. This engaging story is based on key leadership lessons and approaches executive coach and consultant Chuck Bolton has shared with hundreds of senior leaders and top leadership teams to assist them in creating greater value for themselves, their companies, and their followers. Targeted to leaders at any level who desire to be their best, Leadership Wipeout: The Story of an Executive’s Crash and Rescue is certain to provide the fresh ideas, perspectives, and inspiration to help you learn, lead, and live in a more effective and fulfilling way. Leadership Wipeout
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Review from Armchair Interviews Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame Can leaders learn to listen? Does there come a point where executives feel there is nothing more to learn, that they've been at it too long? Is it really true that there comes a point where you as a leader believe that you've "been there, done that?" Having been an executive myself for more than 35 years, I can say that at least for me (and I suspect many other executives) the answer is "yes"--just as it was for Ben Stevens, the central character in Bolton's book. Stevens is stressed out, but doesn't know what to do about it. He's losing ground personally and professionally and the last thing he needs is a ski vacation. There are too many mountains to climb both at home and at the office. But it's a gift from his family, so he goes. There's an old saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." And for Ben that teacher comes in the form of retired CEO turned ski instructor, Ed Davis. The lessons don't come easy and lots must happen to get his attention. It is said that fatigue makes cowards of us all. Fatigue and stress certainly cloud Ben's judgment as he attempts a double black diamond expert slope, probably on the theory that when you know how to ride a bike, you can always ride a bike. But that depends on where you choose to ride. Ben's disastrous "mother of all wipeouts" finally brings him to the point where he is ready to hear what he needs to hear and learn what he needs to learn to transform his personal and professional life. The practical lessons of personal and professional renewal will be welcomed by many leaders who truly want to add value and make a difference in their organizations--and homes, but who have been so busy that they've lost sight of what's important to stay focused on what seems urgent. Armchair Interviews says: We highly recommend Leadership Wipeout |
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Chuck Bolton is the President of The Bolton Group LLC, an executive development firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chuck works specifically with the senior leader of the enterprise and the executives top leadership team. He assists individual executives to become their best by assessing and developing their emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and the working climate they create for others. Chuck lives in suburban Minneapolis with his wife and three children. Like Ben Stevens the main character in his book, Chuck enjoys skiing in Vail and boating On Lake Minnetonka. You can reach Chuck at: Web site: www.theboltongroup.com
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