Relax It's only uncertainty - Randall White

I heard the author lecture during some management training and when he gave us each a personal copy of the book, I thought I would at leats read it.

Written to accompany a self assessment tool of traits and techniques to manage in uncertain times, the book is readable and usable without completing that exercise.

p18 I liked the quote about the more senior you are and the more power you think you have in effect you have none - people choose to work for you and if you order them about for too long they will leave.

p39 the section about organisations and individuals really growing when they learn (and master) something difficult - something that cannot be easily learnt (copied) by others.

p44 Ask Why (and listen to the answer)

p101/102/103 about simplyfying your communications so that a sensible 7 year old could understand them.  reducing your message to <25 words
p157 get someone to summarise back what they think you just presented.

p119 the essecence of strategy is denial - choosing what not to do.

p151 a single day aim card - write down the ONE thing that I must achieve tomorrow to make the biggest improvement and keep the card on your desk during the day.

p193 leaders role as identifying productive areas of uncertaintity and leading teh organistion towards them to gain competitive advantage.  In uncertaintity is future wealth.

p194 to encourage learning, start by admitting (publicly) your mistakes.

p196 types of leader compared to star trek leaders

p200 the whole of the final chapter on the future of leadership is worth reading even if you cover nothing else in the book.