Stretch - James Brook

There are a myriad of different leadership models and approaches, many of which are highly descriptive about the type of personality and qualities you need in order to be an effective leader. However, recent research shows that successful leaders don’t achieve success in the same way. They have unique strengths, skills and qualities that they draw on to achieve their results. What they do have in common is a true understanding of and an ability to leverage their ‘leadership edge’ – their unique strengths, abilities and skills – to influence and inspire others to achieve extraordinary results. Effective leadership is also about ‘positive stretch’ – stretching yourself and your team to push the boundaries and achieve the upper range of your collective strengths and capabilities. This is particularly relevant in today’s uncertain and competitive environment and markets, where organisations – private, public and voluntary – are all being challenged to do more with less, work smarter and optimise discretionary effort, ideas and morale of their workforce. Stretch is written as a fable and follows the journey of a leader with a deficit – or weakness-oriented – mindset, gaining insight and experience about how to lead more effectively through stretching and optimising his own strengths, as well as the strengths of the workforce, to achieve outstanding results. The book’s practical advice and theories are channelled through an accessible work of fiction, rather than an academic text, making the book relevant to a wide audience. Stretch will particularly appeal to business leaders and managers interested in leadership.