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Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,746 ratings

From the author of the long-running #1 bestseller StrengthsFinder 2.0 comes a landmark study of great leaders, teams and the reasons why people follow.

Nearly a decade ago, Gallup unveiled the results of a landmark 30-year research project that ignited a global conversation on the topic of strengths. More than 3 million people have since taken Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment, which forms the core of several books on this topic, including the #1 international bestseller
StrengthsFinder 2.0.

In recent years, while continuing to learn more about strengths, Gallup scientists have also been examining decades of data on the topic of leadership. They studied more than 1 million work teams, conducted more than 20,000 in-depth interviews with leaders and even interviewed more than 10,000 followers around the world to ask exactly
why they followed the most important leader in their life.

In
Strengths Based Leadership, #1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Rath and renowned leadership consultant Barry Conchie reveal the results of this research. Based on their discoveries, the book identifies three keys to being a more effective leader: knowing your strengths and investing in others’ strengths, getting people with the right strengths on your team, and understanding and meeting the four basic needs of those who look to you for leadership.

As you read
Strengths Based Leadership, you’ll hear firsthand accounts from some of the most successful organizational leaders in recent history, from the founder of Teach For America to the president of The Ritz-Carlton, as they discuss how their unique strengths have driven their success. Filled with novel research and actionable ideas, Strengths Based Leadership will give you a new road map for leading people toward a better future.

A unique access code allows you to take a new leadership version of Gallup’s StrengthsFinder program. The new version of this program provides you with specific strategies for leading with your top five strengths and enables you to plot the strengths of your team based on the four domains of leadership strength revealed in the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A unique access code (enclosed in the back of this book) allows you to take a new leadership version of Gallup's StrengthsFinder program. The new version of this program provides you with specific strategies for leading with your top five strengths and enables you to plot the strengths of your team based on the four domains of leadership strength revealed in the book.

Key findings from Strengths Based Leadership:

* The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths. In the workplace, when an organization's leadership fails to focus on individuals' strengths, the odds of an employee being engaged are a dismal 1 in 11 (9%). But when an organization's leadership focuses on the strengths of its employees, the odds soar to almost 3 in 4 (73%). When leaders focus on and invest in their employees' strengths, the odds of each person being engaged goes up eightfold.

* The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team. While the best leaders are not well-rounded, the best teams are. Strong, cohesive teams have a representation of strengths in each of these four domains: executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking.

* The most effective leaders understand their followers' needs. People follow leaders for very specific reasons. When we asked thousands of followers, they were able to describe exactly what they need from a leader with remarkable clarity: trust, compassion, stability, and hope.

From the Inside Flap

Nearly a decade ago, Gallup unveiled the results of a landmark 30-year research project that ignited a global conversation on the topic of strengths. More than 3 million people have since taken Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment, which forms the core of several books on this topic, including the #1 international bestseller StrengthsFinder 2.0.

In recent years, while continuing to learn more about strengths, Gallup scientists have also been examining decades of data on the topic of leadership. They studied more than 1 million work teams, conducted more than 20,000 in-depth interviews with leaders, and even interviewed more than 10,000 followers around the world to ask exactly
why they followed the most important leader in their life.

In
Strengths Based Leadership, #1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Rath and renowned leadership consultant Barry Conchie reveal the results of this research. Based on their discoveries, the book identifies three keys to being a more effective leader: knowing your strengths and investing in others’ strengths, getting people with the right strengths on your team, and understanding and meeting the four basic needs of those who look to you for leadership.

As you read
Strengths Based Leadership, you’ll hear firsthand accounts from some of the most successful organizational leaders in recent history, from the founder of Teach For America to the president of The Ritz-Carlton, as they discuss how their unique strengths have driven their success. Filled with novel research and actionable ideas, Strengths Based Leadership will give you a new road map for leading people toward a better future.

A unique access code allows you to take a new leadership version of Gallup’s StrengthsFinder program. The new version of this program provides you with specific strategies for leading with your top five strengths and enables you to plot the strengths of your team based on the four domains of leadership strength revealed in the book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001RIYUOG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallup Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4990 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 289 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,746 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,746 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and useful for leadership development. They describe it as a well-written, concise read with accurate results. The book helps them build good teams by complementing strengths. Many consider it a good value for money, with valuable reference materials at the end. However, some customers have reported issues with the access code being used or missing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

308 customers mention "Insight"303 positive5 negative

Customers find the book insightful and helpful for class. They appreciate the excellent explanation of leadership styles and themes. The chapters provide valuable information for self-development and team development. Readers mention it's an invaluable management tool and a great assessment for college students to have an idea of what type of work they like.

"Tom Rath and Barry Conchie's 'Strengths Based Leadership' is a transformative book that offers profound insights into leadership and team dynamics...." Read more

"...The book also includes a three-page commentary on each strength and how to address your followers' four basic needs using your Top-5 strengths...." Read more

"...3- "The Four Domains of Leadership Strength: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking...." Read more

"...Some chapters contain a lot of valuable information for your own development and that of your teams." Read more

198 customers mention "Readability"198 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the clear presentation and insights backed by research. The book provides practical examples and nuggets of information.

"...to leadership, practical insights backed by research, clarity in presentation, and its potential to transform leadership styles and team dynamics,..." Read more

"...As you can hear int he stories of these four leaders, they have exceptional clarity about who they are - and who they are not...." Read more

"...and development and have used Gallup's StrengthsFinder, this is a great read. Pay attention to the details and avoid skimming through too quickly...." Read more

"Fast delivery and good book" Read more

35 customers mention "Accuracy"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's assessments accurate and helpful for interpreting results. They appreciate the great reports generated from their scores and comparing results with co-workers. The assessment is easy to take and the test at the end is thought-provoking.

"...Rath and Conchie provide compelling research and real-world examples to illustrate how leaders can maximize their own strengths and those of their..." Read more

"...The research also delivers five findings on what strong teams have in common, such as "Conflict doesn't destroy strong teams because strong teams..." Read more

"I found the on-line test interesting, and at least for me, seemingly accurate...." Read more

"...thoroughly is the StrengthsFinder assessment, and comparing my results to my co-workers...." Read more

33 customers mention "Team building"28 positive5 negative

Customers find the book helpful for putting together good teams by complementing strengths in their organization. They say it adds a team component to the talent assessment, helping them achieve great results and develop each other. The book chronicles the unique experiences of four individuals, showing that conflict doesn't destroy strong teams because they focus on the common goal. Readers appreciate the author's storytelling style and the anecdotes and information provided.

"...findings on what strong teams have in common, such as "Conflict doesn't destroy strong teams because strong teams focus on results."..." Read more

"...leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team...." Read more

"...yourself, but also by the way they proceed to chronicle the unique experiences of four individuals, and how each have been successful using vastly..." Read more

"...is a concise guide to how leaders and teams can best leverage their individual and combined strengths to effectively operate an organization...." Read more

23 customers mention "Value for money"17 positive6 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money. They say the reports are worth the price, and the reference materials at the end are valuable.

"...(but not unexpected, at least in my case) and the cost of the book is worth it for that alone...." Read more

"...I was required to read for a leadership seminar. It was well worth it." Read more

"...Without that code, the book is worth less than half its value. VERY upset...." Read more

"...strengths profile and reports [...] are more than worth the price of the book." Read more

18 customers mention "Ease of use"14 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to use and enjoyable. They say the assessment is simple to take and the results are accurate. The book is easy to download and has great application.

"...using what they call the four domains of leadership strength: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking...." Read more

"...3- "The Four Domains of Leadership Strength: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking...." Read more

"...All arrived in excellent condition. The book is a fairly easy, fast read with good points to ponder and apply in both business and personal..." Read more

"...the tool descriptors are largely helpful, the workplace application recommendations seemed simplistic and not really realistic..." Read more

21 customers mention "Effectiveness"7 positive14 negative

Customers have different views on the book's effectiveness. Some find it practical and helpful for establishing new teams and getting them to collaborate. Others consider it useless and expensive, with no web-site or app version available.

"...Thus, it is rather pointless and not worth the time...." Read more

"...of four individuals, and how each have been successful using vastly different approaches, coinciding with their domain...." Read more

"...in the book was already scratched off and used making it absolutely useless for me. I'd give it ZERO stars if I could." Read more

"...Not only is the book useless to me, since I can't take the strengthsfinder 2.0 unless I go to the book's website and pay an additional amount...." Read more

63 customers mention "Access code"13 positive50 negative

Customers are unhappy with the access code. They report that it was already used, stolen, or torn out of the back of the book. Some say the code is a one-time use code and the tab was cut open.

"Book did not come with access code." Read more

"...There was writing in the back of the book and the access code had been used...." Read more

"...The code can only be used once...." Read more

"...this one also includes a unique access code so you can take the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment online...." Read more

Not what I ordered
1 out of 5 stars
Not what I ordered
I had to get a new version of this for school for the access code in the back. It took 2 weeks to finally arrive and when it did it was not new at all. There was writing in the back of the book and the access code had been used. Basically the whole reason I got this book was gone and I am now left scrambling because I did not think when I ordered a “new” book with plenty of time that it would be delayed so much and used instead of new. The back jacket of the book even says new but it is clearly not upon opening. I returned the book so I could at least get my money back as soon as I could. I am now facing turning my assignment in late because of this. Huge disappointment…
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
    Tom Rath and Barry Conchie's 'Strengths Based Leadership' is a transformative book that offers profound insights into leadership and team dynamics. This book builds on the strengths-based approach popularized by Gallup, focusing on identifying and leveraging individuals' strengths to drive leadership success. What sets this book apart is its emphasis on the unique qualities that make great leaders, rather than trying to fix weaknesses. Rath and Conchie provide compelling research and real-world examples to illustrate how leaders can maximize their own strengths and those of their team members to achieve exceptional results. I found the concept of 'StrengthsFinder' particularly enlightening; it helps readers discover their top strengths and understand how to apply them effectively in leadership roles. The book is well-organized, with practical advice and actionable strategies that leaders can implement immediately. Whether you're a new leader looking to understand your leadership style or a seasoned executive seeking to enhance team performance, 'Strengths Based Leadership' offers valuable insights and tools to inspire and empower. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in developing a strengths-based approach to leadership."

    This review highlights the book's strengths-based approach to leadership, practical insights backed by research, clarity in presentation, and its potential to transform leadership styles and team dynamics, making it essential reading for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to lead effectively.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2009
    "While the best leaders are not well-rounded, the best teams are." That's the big idea in the latest book in the "StrengthsFinder" series, Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams and Why People Follow. This is a keeper--and expertly expands the value of focusing on strengths. Gratefully, it's not a rehash--it adds to the knowledge base.

    And wow! Gallup conducted 20,000 in-depth interviews with senior leaders, then another 10,000 interviews with followers. They have the data! Millions, from more than 50 countries, have taken the online StrengthsFinder assessment. The research-based insights and recommendations plow new ground. For example, "the most effective leaders are always investing in strengths." They write, "The odds of an employee being engaged are a dismal 1 in 11 (9%). But when an organization's leadership focuses on the strengths of its employees, the odds soar to almost 3 in 4 (73%).

    Leadership is nothing without followers and this new book describes the four basic needs of followers: trust, compassion, stability and hope. "The chances of employees being engaged at work when they do not trust the company's leaders are just 1 in 12."

    This is not dry, academic stuff. Four leaders--and their extremely diverse strengths--are profiled, using what they call the four domains of leadership strength: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking. Example: Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America, leverages her Executing strengths (Achiever and Responsibility). Her budget, after just 20 years, is $120 million. She knows the Top-5 Strengths of her key people--and how to leverage those strengths.

    Other profiles include the CEO of The Ritz-Carlton (Influencing), the chairman of Standard Chartered Bank (Relationship Building), and the CEO of Best Buy (Strategic Thinking). The core idea for all four very different CEOs: it's all about leveraging the strengths of their team members. "While the best leaders are not well-rounded, the best teams are."

    The research also delivers five findings on what strong teams have in common, such as "Conflict doesn't destroy strong teams because strong teams focus on results." Like the two predecessor books from Gallup (StrengthsFinder 2.0 and Now, Discover Your Strengths), this one also includes a unique access code so you can take the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment online. However, the new-and-improved upgrade delivers your strengths back to you (via email) with new insights on the four domains of leadership strength (Executing, etc.). The book also includes a three-page commentary on each strength and how to address your followers' four basic needs using your Top-5 strengths.

    I encourage each CEO I coach to know and leverage the Top-5 strengths of their direct reports and their board chairs. Understanding strengths is not an option, I insist. Instead, it's one of the 20 critical core competencies in the Team Bucket, one of the 20 buckets in my book, Mastering the Management Buckets. Mastering The Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Non-profit
    21 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2013
    Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful:

    1- "Three key finding emerged from this research: 1) The most effective leaders are always investing in their strengths. 2) The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team. 3) The most effective leaders understand their followers' needs."

    2- "What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at the right time. This explains why there is no definitive list of characteristics that describes all leaders."

    3- "The Four Domains of Leadership Strength: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking. We have found that it serves a team to have a representation of strengths in each of these four domains...Although individuals need not be well-rounded, teams should be."

    4- "As you can hear int he stories of these four leaders, they have exceptional clarity about who they are - and who they are not. If any one of them had chosen to spend a lifetime trying to be "good enough" at everything, it's doubtful they would have made such an extraordinary impact. Instead, they've all been wise enough to get the right strengths on their teams, and this has set up their organizations for continuous growth. Unfortunately, very few teams are truly optimized around their strengths."

    5- "What strong teams have in common: 1) Conflict doesn't destroy strong teams because strong teams focus on results. 2) Strong teams prioritize what's best for the organization and then move forward. 3) Members of strong teams are as committed to their personal lives as they are to their work. 4) Strong teams embrace diversity. 5) Strong teams are magnets for talent."

    6- "For a team to create sustained growth, the leader must continue to invest in each person's strengths and in building better relationships among the group members."

    7- "...followers have a very clear picture of what they want and need from the most influential leaders in their lives: trust, compassion, stability, and hope."

    8- "Perhaps the ultimate test of a leader is not what you are able to do in the here and now - but instead what continues to grow long after you're gone."
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lana Wakelam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like this author
    Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2024
    Another great book from the author.
  • Maricelia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livro excelente
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 7, 2022
    Livro excelente de liderança e que o leitor extrairá valiosas lições na arte de lidar com
    pessoas realçando seus talentos. Recomendo!!
  • Lene Viehweg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Changed the way I see myself
    Reviewed in Germany on October 28, 2022
    This book was recommended to me by one of my professors. It changed my perspective on my personality and my skills. This book is a MUST read to anyone who is a manager or a leader or aspiring to be one
  • Sarath Sasidharan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in India on October 1, 2020
    Excellent book. Value for money. Each and every statements in this book makes absolute sense. Pls go for it. Good one
  • David Solís
    5.0 out of 5 stars Para personas que tienen a cargo personal o si eres dueño de un negocio...
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 4, 2019
    Excelente libro para todas aquellas personas que tienen a cargo personal o si son dueños de algún negocios, es en inglés y es muy técnico, así que aquellas personas que hablan español para que lo tomen en cuenta...
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    David Solís
    5.0 out of 5 stars Para personas que tienen a cargo personal o si eres dueño de un negocio...
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 4, 2019
    Excelente libro para todas aquellas personas que tienen a cargo personal o si son dueños de algún negocios, es en inglés y es muy técnico, así que aquellas personas que hablan español para que lo tomen en cuenta...
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