Micromessaging: Why Great Leadership is Beyond Words

[back cover] Change the way you do business With the nonverbal gestures that can make or break any transaction "No one argues the importance of the small scale better than Stephen Young ... [who] calls these make-or-break communications micromessages."-"O" The Oprah Magazine An oblivious, blank look, averted eye contact, or a dismissive shrug...we all know how other people's nonverbal cues can make us feel, even if they are delivered or received without conscious awareness. But do you know the ways in which these subtle behaviors can define your ability to influence the performance of others for better-or worse? Stephen Young, one of the foremost national experts on leadership, introduces the concept of "micromessages"-the gestures, facial expressions, tones of voice, word choices, eye contact, and interactive nuances that can be either debilitating or empowering to employees, and to the power of leadership. The good news is that these micromessages can be used not only to improve your leadership skill, but to elevate performance wherever it is applied. MicroMessaging delivers Young's breakthrough leadership program in a concise package that delivers the skills and techniques to help you Get inside your organization's cultural DNA to spark change Diffuse negative micromessages (microinequities) and use positive micromessages (microadvantages) to spark creativity, improve performance, and exceed goals Infuse positive micromessages at all levels of the organization, achieving a strong, inclusive, and high-performing work environment [flap copy] Should you sweat the small stuff? Absolutely, says Stephen Young-especially when it comes to those critical behaviors that can make or break performance. The reason is simple: no matter what you think you're saying, your words, gestures, and tone of voice can actually communicate something entirely different. Too often, negative micromessages undermine morale, business opportunities, and ultimately your organization. MicroMessaging examines the nuanced behaviors that we all blindly use and react to in our dealings with others. Yet as Young points out, these micromessages can reveal a lot about our own-and our superiors'-biases and preconceived notions. Learning how to constructively address these behaviors can bring about positive change. Young offers a common language for encouraging open discussion in the workplace, along with skills to identify and address familiar micromessages, tools for deploying "micro advantages," and real-life workplace scenarios, self-assessments, and solutions that help readers interpret and alter ingrained behaviors and their effects. He gives valuable information on Crucial leadership skills and how to acquire them Universal workplace culture and diversity How expectations affect the performance of others Ways to speak fairly, not falsely Techniques that eliminate group think How to reset the "filters" you use to "screen" others Based on proven research from MIT, Young's approach has already helped clients including Intel, Cisco, IBM, Merck, Starbucks, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Ford, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo to transform leadership behaviors within their organizations. With its proven wisdom, you can experience what so many business executives worldwide have discovered and make it a powerful part of your leadership skill set.Stephen Young is the author of 'Micromessaging: Why Great Leadership is Beyond Words', published 2006 under ISBN 9780071467575 and ISBN 0071467572.