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Leaders Don’t Command

Inspire Growth, Ingenuity and Collaboration

Jorge Cuervo

ATD, 2015

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Leadership scholar and business expert Jorge Cuervo offers a complete package of ideas on how to engage and motivate teams to achieve maximum productivity. He explains why the brain’s antiquated survival mechanisms, like the flight or fight response, and the business world’s old management methods, like command and control, don’t work for today’s leaders or their followers. Cuervo first presented his concepts in Spanish, under the title Mejor liderar que mandar; now English-language readers can benefit from this intriguing translation. Cuervo packs a lot of information into his brief treatise. getAbstract recommends his insightful and practical manual to leaders and those who aspire to lead.

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Hardwired Physiological Responses

Today’s uncertain times present tough challenges for managers and their teams. This derives, in part, from human biology and its inherent limitations when dealing with modern business situations. Eons ago, early hominids lacked the sharp teeth, strong jaws or ripping claws to compete with predators of the jungle and savannas. However, ancient people already had three vital, human brain skills that enabled them to survive: They were ingenious and creative, they worked together in groups, and they had indomitable will.

Modern human brains don’t orient easily to the pursuit of happiness, achievement or the search for truth. Unfortunately, these are the very concerns that drive today’s managers and work teams. Advances in neuroscience indicate that a mental reprogramming is in order. Ancient survival mechanisms don’t help you in the business world. Modern leaders need new approaches and advanced techniques based on creativity, flexibility and openness. Effective leaders also need emotional intelligence – the ability to know their emotions and to understand how their actions affect other people’s emotions.

Primitive Responses

About the Author

Jorge Cuervo is a professor at Barcelona Activa, teaching leadership, self-management and change management. He has held senior positions in numerous multinational companies.

Leaders Don’t Command

Inspire Growth, Ingenuity and Collaboration

Read, Listen, or Discuss

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Summary

Hardwired Physiological Responses

Primitive Responses

About the Author

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