Book Details
Paperback:Â 256 pages
Publisher:Â Â McGraw-Hill
Language:Â English
ISBN-10:Â 0071778195
ISBN-13:Â 978-0071778190
Product Dimensions:Â 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
Book Description
The business world is in flux, and you have to think and act quickly in order to stay competitive. But the last thing you want to do is make reckless business decisions. You have to find the middle ground. You have to take SMART RISKS.
In this groundbreaking book, leadership expert Doug Sundheim explains how to find that precise point between comfort and danger for generating the sustained ability to work at the highest level of performance.
“From Sherwin Williams to Moo.com, Doug Sundheim is onto something here: your work is worth fighting for. A worthy read for everyone in your organization.”
–Seth Godin, Author, The Icarus Deception
“The risk-taking concepts in this book lie at the heart of effective leadership. Using case studies and stories from executives who have ‘been there, done that,’ Doug Sundheim teaches us that sometimes the most dangerous thing to do–in business and life–is to play it safe.”
–Marshall Goldsmith, million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“Sundheim delivers a message that every business needs to hear right now: excessive risk will kill you, but so will complacency. . . . If you’re charged with driving growth in your organization, buy this book–but more importantly, use it.”
–Jed Hartman, Group Publisher, Fortune & CNNMoney.com
“A spectacular book! The stories were powerful, the advice was crystal clear, and every few pages called me to action. I have bookmarked more pages in Taking Smart Risks than I have in any book since reading Peter Drucker’s classics.”
–Michael Hejtmanek, President & CEO, Hasselblad Bron Inc.
“Doug Sundheim does an excellent job of demonstrating not only how to take smart risks, but also how to lead the process of risk-taking–a critical skill set for leaders today.”
–Cindy Zollinger, President & CEO, Cornerstone Research
“A compelling case for why smart risk taking is so important in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.”
–Willie Pietersen, Professor, Columbia Business School; former CEO, Tropicana and Seagram USA
Taking Smart Risks reveals the secrets to discovering, planning for, and acting upon the kind of risks that will move your company forward and ahead of the competition. Learn how to:
Find Something Worth Fighting For–What do you care enough about to risk time, energy, and money to try to make happen? Determining this is half the battle.
See the Future Now–Clarify your big idea in terms of real objectives, plans, and intended results.
Act Fast, Learn Fast–Make your move quickly, but be sure you don’t squander valuable resources in the process.
Communicate Powerfully–Assume communication will break down at points, plan accordingly–and don’t shy away from the tough conversations.
Create a Smart Risk Culture– Build teams that share the same mindsets and values about expected smart risk behavior.
About the Authors
Doug Sundheim
For the past 20 years, Doug Sundheim has helped leaders from Fortune 500 companies to small entrepreneurial firms get out of their comfort zones and take smart risks. In the process, he’s developed a set of practical tools for action that anyone can use to get out of the gates when things feel risky.
Doug has worked with leaders and teams from Morgan Stanley, Barclay’s, Bertelsmann, Citigroup, Harvard Management Company, HSBC Bank USA, Procter and Gamble, and The University of Chicago. His approch is grounded in both research-based leadership practices and firing-line experiences for what really works in business.
Here’s what Joanna Rupp, Chief Operating Officer of the Univeristy of Chicago Office of Investments had to say about Doug’s approach:
“The risk taking tools that Doug Sundheim shares are easy to understand and use in a real world context. I consider myself an intelligent risk taker and this framework has helped me and my team get even better.”
Prior to his team and leader consulting work Doug worked for ad agencies and an Internet strategy consulting firm. He also started a 100-person catering company in his early twenties.
Doug lives with his wife and two sons in Westchester.
