Bootstrap Leadership: 50 Ways to Break Out, Take Charge, and Move Up

Citation

Steinbuch, P. (2011), "Bootstrap Leadership: 50 Ways to Break Out, Take Charge, and Move Up", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 314-316. https://doi.org/10.1108/lodj.2011.32.3.314.3

In Bootstrap Leadership, Steve Arneson presents a practical how‐to guide of leadership self‐development. The book is replete with ideas and exercises, which are designed to enhance current leadership skills or build new ones. His inspirational book includes weekly ideas (50 in total) to encourage the reader to experiment with new techniques in order to become more effective leaders. Noteworthy is the fact that Bootstrap Leadership encourages the reader to develop their own personalized learning plan and take ownership of their own leadership development.

The introductory chapter offers a self assessment questionnaire designed to identify specific developmental areas. The assessment contains questions which focus on how the reader is exemplifying their current leadership skills, areas for new skill development and broadening one's perspective, expanding one's comfort zone and externalizing leadership.

The book is organized into five broad sections corresponding to sections in the self assessment questionnaire. Part 1, contains the ten chapters in which Arenson focuses on how the reader is “showing up as a leader”. In Chapter 1, the reader is encouraged to document their own leadership by mapping critical experiences and lessons from their past experiences. By completing a leadership “journey” as the author titles it, the reader can identify needed skills for future growth. Chapter 2 focuses on evaluating working relationships, which includes and exercise to assess one's quality of work relationships. In Chapter 3, the importance of initiating a 360^o feedback to serve as a baseline of one's leadership style is underscored. Chapter 4 asks the reader to identify someone who can monitor progress on the identified developmental areas and provide genuine feedback. In addition, the reader is encouraged to identify mentors in Chapter 5, who serve to guide in the acquisition or development of new skills. The author makes a clear distinction between mentoring and coaching, in that a mentor, unlike a coach, gives specific recommendations. Particularly enjoyable is Chapter 6; in which the reader is to imagine they are chief executive officer and select four to five members to serve on their Personal Board of Directors. These members will assist in planning, executing and assessing the reader's leadership development. In Chapter 7, identifying and leveraging areas of strength is examined. In order to expand one's input, the reader is guided in Chapter 8 to go back to former colleagues and direct reports and solicit their input. This exercise is intended to help create a balanced view of one's own leadership style and identify which areas have matured over time. The focus shifts to an internal rather external assessment in Chapter 9. Here the reader is asked to make a list of all their “hardest‐held positions” and explore alternative perspectives. Upon completion of the previous chapter exercises, in Chapter 10, the reader is now encouraged to develop the vision, mission and strategy for their current work group and involve both the team in this exercise, along with senior leaders for their assistance.

Part 2 of the book focuses on learning and adding new skills and competencies to one's leadership “tool‐kit”. In Chapters 11‐13, the reader is to identify their own definition of leadership and document one's own development plan. In addition, one specific leadership behavior is identified yearly in order to focus exclusively on developing expertise in this area. In Chapters 14 and 15, the importance of learning how to effectively delegate and coach others is discussed. Beginning with Chapter 16 and culminating with Chapter 20, the reader is now asked to commit to reading at least three business books a year, write a personal journal, learn theories and models of effective leadership, integrate stories into speeches or presentations and lastly, develop a “This is Me” document to share with one's team, supervisor and colleagues.

In Part 3, Chapters 21‐30, the author takes the reader on a fun journey broadening their development. Learning about other cultures, visiting front line departments in their organization, creating and maintaining a vibrant business network, joining an online leadership network, getting to truly know the people in their company, engaging with external vendors and consultants, learning more about the key competitors, attending conferences and presenting was learned to their company, visiting innovative firms, and even pursuing a hobby outside of work all help to expand one's perspective and development.

Part 4 of the book focuses on stepping outside one's comfort zone. In Chapters 31‐40, the reader is asked to try some new leadership behaviors. Ideas include practicing humility and admitting mistakes, joining a professional network, setting up an internal speaker's bureau and focusing on developing one's public speaking skills, becoming proactive about one's career development and assigned projects, learning to decipher corporate financial statements, developing one's presentation skills, improving physical health and energy levels, defining next career goals and finally reviewing your own strategies twice a year. Steve Arneson's approach to extending one's comfort zone is welcoming and reduces the trepidation by employing practical and manageable exercises for the reader to complete.

Chapters 41‐50 comprise the last section of the book. In Part 5, the reader is asked to shift their focus now to others, by showcasing the talents of others and putting team members in a position to succeed. In addition the value of volunteering for non‐profits is emphasized. In furthering extending one's reach the author suggests helping your boss find solutions and spending time with your extended team, not just direct reports. As one expands their focus, it is important to establish and be disciplined with respect to priorities. Giving to others, by teaching a course within your company or leading a task force, serves to help one work on their “influencing without authority” skills. Becoming a better listener is emphasized in Chapter 49 and suggested as one of the most important lessons for effective leadership. Chapter 50 presents a very interesting exercise. The reader is to write a letter to their successor, in order to revitalize their own leadership agenda. By identifying, in the letter, key leverage points, what needs to be changed or approached differently and what bold but realistic leadership moves can be implemented, the reader is able to elevate their current leadership role.

Steve Arneson takes a forward looking approach to leadership development that is not only practical and result oriented, but also extremely uplifting. It leaves the reader with a sense of control and more importantly “ownership” of their own success. It relies on a series of exercises, which are not only focused but very manageable.

There is a positive mood imbued throughout the book. The reading is not mired down with obtuse theories and concepts, but instead focuses on a practical roadmap for leadership development. The author presents his ideas in digestible increments thereby enabling effective implementation. Particularly appealing, is the fact that one can choose which exercises to implement and in what order. The author's approach is fluid and flexible.

The “how to guide” translates easily into a “doable action” for anyone to embrace. The logical and practical approach makes this book applicable to a very broad readership. It is a great supplementary book for students studying leadership in that it can help them identify, early on, their roadmap for skill development. For any level of worker, it is an invaluable resource to learn to navigate their work environment and take on more leadership roles at any level to enhance one's career progression and success.

Bootstrap Leadership is an excellent book, written in plain language and motivating in its approach. I felt renewed from the energizing and take charge tone of the book and look forward to implementing many of the ideas presented. I highly recommend Bootstrap Leadership for anyone who wants to take charge of their own future in their own time frame.