What makes some leaders so effective when the stakes are high, while others fall short? Why are some able to not only survive but to lead their organizations to new heights even in risky, fast-changing times? The answer is succinct but multi-layered: such leaders display courage, judgment, and fortitude. High-stakes leadership does not require unnatural powers, nor is it predicated on a dangerous situation. The three signature character traits can be cultivated by anyone at any level in any organization, big or small. Organizational and leadership consultant Constance Dierickx describes high-stakes leadership in a simple, three-part model that illuminates the mindsets, strategies, and tactics leaders must draw upon to make tough decisions, take an unpopular stand, or ignore convention, providing real-world examples across a range of sectors and industries. Dierickx developed her model of high-stakes leadership to help her clients—executives at organizations ranging from start-ups to nonprofits to large, global companies—better define what they need to bring strategy to life. This, she found, is the great gulf in business, the vast space between idea and results. High-Stakes Leadership helps leaders sharpen their ability to: act decisively, with clarity and focus test ideas using reason, and course correct as needed be resolute and inspire others to continue, even in the face of challenges Leading requires the courage to make conscious decisions about what to do, the judgment to separate information from short-term trends, and the fortitude to remain true to oneself and one’s mission. When leaders do these things, they also become teachers, leading their teams by example, often without realizing it. The essential aspects of good leadership endure even as the environment and tactics change. Indeed, courage, judgment, and fortitude are not merely tools for survival, they are the means by which we sculpt the future.

Even the greatest organizations suffer great disasters. Are you ready for the storms that are looming? From a leader who has managed high-flying, high-stakes, and high-tech organizations comes a book about what it really takes to lead people and institutions through a major crisis, through the most perilous and unforgiving circumstances, and to survive and thrive against all odds. JetBlue co-founder and former Navy TOPGUN chief instructor Dr. Mike Barger helps us see why exceptional leadership is immensely challenging but vitally important when organizations find themselves amid turbulent times. He gives it to us straight in a book that is as relevant for aspiring leaders (like MBA students) as it is for seasoned leaders (Fortune 1,000 executives). Every leader will be forced to guide a team through a crisis, and it's time for everyone -- from small business owners to nonprofit directors to the corporate C-suite -- to make plans for being their best when the worst comes calling. LOVE Your Stakeholders, Every Step of the Way Every organization -- regardless of industry or size -- has valued stakeholders, like customers, employees, suppliers, investors, and competitors ... and many also work with communities, regulators, and the media. With so many stakeholders to think about, it can be easy to neglect them, forgetting about their unique (and sometimes competing) needs and perspectives. In a crisis, that neglect translates into further catastrophe. In his debut business book, High-Stakes Leadership in Turbulent Times, Mike Barger suggests that no matter where you work and lead, stakeholders are your greatest assets ... in good times and bad. Travel with Barger into emergency command centers and airport terminals, where key decisions were made during a 2007 JetBlue Airways winter-storm crisis now infamously known as the Valentine's Day Massacre. Learn how to step up when you mess up, how to engage and serve your stakeholders, and how to prepare yourself and your organization -- operationally, emotionally, and culturally -- before, during, and after the going gets tough. Learn to Effectively Navigate the Challenges of Significant Organizational Disruptions Crises and organizational disruptions have become increasingly common in today's fast-moving, constantly evolving business environment. The world is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), and leaders at every level must be prepared for the unexpected. High-Stakes Leadership in Turbulent Times helps readers discover how and why an understanding of various stakeholder perspectives can inform and dramatically improve a leader's response to events that threaten an organization's very survival. Learn about developing individual and organizational resilience -- the ability to anticipate potential threats; to cope effectively with adverse events when they occur; and to adapt to changing conditions to ensure a viable path forward for yourself, your team, and your organization. Learn how to estimate what kinds of crises might be on your horizon, how your stakeholders are likely to react, and how to effectively communicate your way through it. A game-changing, organization-saving book ... complete with chapter-end activities, universally relevant action plans, and reflection questions to help you grow as a high-stakes leader.

A public relations expert shares inspirational stories and smart strategies for successful business communication and crisis management. Business leaders spend up to 90 percent of each day communicating with colleagues, customers, shareowners, creditors, regulators, advocates, and competitors. The style and success of those communications has a vital influence on their organization’s culture, opportunity, and reputation. In this age of heightened transparency, no leader can afford to undervalue to importance of communication—especially during a crisis. With more than three decades of experience working with many Fortune 500 companies, communications consultant Jack Modzelewski teaches leaders to see themselves as chief credibility officers. In Talk Is Chief, he provides sound advice and concrete examples of effective communication. He also shares the “10 Commandments of Crisis Management”—essential communication tools for avoiding crises or averting worst-case scenarios when confronted with an existential threat.

Adam Steltzner is no ordinary engineer. His path to leadership was about as unlikely as they come. A child of beatnik parents, he barely made it through school. He blew off college in favour of work at a health food store and playing bass in a band, but after discovering an astonishing gift for maths and physics, he ended up helping a group of scientists land the heaviest rover in the history of space exploration on Mars. This is the story of the teamwork, drama and extraordinary feats of innovation at the Jet Propulsion Lab that culminated in that landing in 2012.

What does it take to lead people into a burning building? How do the leaders of the New York City Fire Department develop so much loyalty, trust, and grace under pressure that their subordinates will risk their very lives for them? As a high-ranking officer of the FDNY, John Salka is an expert at both practicing and teaching high-stakes leadership. In First In, Last Out, he explains the department’s unique strategies and how they can be adopted by leaders in any field—as he has taught them to organizations around the country. In a tough-talking, no-nonsense style, Salka uses real-world stories to convey leadership imperatives such as: first in, last out—your people need to see you taking the biggest risk, as the first one to enter the danger zone and the last to leave manage change—the fire you fought yesterday is not the one you’ll be fighting tomorrow communicate aggressively—a working radio is worth more than 20,000 gallons of water create an execution culture—focus your people on the flames, not the smoke commit to reality—never allow the way you would like things to be to color how things are develop your people—let them feel a little heat today or they’ll get burned tomorrow Illustrated by harrowing real-life situations, the principles in First In, Last Out will help managers become more confident, coherent, and commanding. On the web: http://www.firstinleadership.com

In today’s market, playing it safe is not an option Lead your company to sustainable success by taking the RIGHT RISKS The business world is in flux, and you have to think and act quickly in order to stay competitive. But the last thing you want to do is make reckless business decisions. You have to find the middle ground. You have to take SMART RISKS. In this groundbreaking book, leadership expert Doug Sundheim explains how to find that precise point between comfort and danger for generating the sustained ability to work at the highest level of performance. Taking Smart Risks reveals the secrets to discovering, planning for, and acting upon the kind of risks that will move your company forward and ahead of the competition. Learn how to: Find Something Worth Fighting For—What do you care enough about to risk time, energy, and money to try to make happen? Determining this is half the battle. See the Future Now—Clarify your big idea in terms of real objectives, plans, and intended results. Act Fast, Learn Fast—Make your move quickly, but be sure you don’t squander valuable resources in the process. Communicate Powerfully—Assume communication will break down at points, plan accordingly—and don’t shy away from the tough conversations. Create a Smart Risk Culture— Build teams that share the same mindsets and values about expected smart risk behavior. Applying Sundheim’s advice will help you let go of old assumptions, explore new possibilities, move your organization out of its comfort zone, and experience long-term success. When you take smart risks, you will create. You will innovate. You will grow. And you will WIN. “From Sherwin Williams to Moo.com, Doug Sundheim is onto something here: your work is worth fighting for. A worthy read for everyone in your organization.” —Seth Godin, Author, The Icarus Deception “The risk-taking concepts in this book lie at the heart of effective leadership. Using case studies and stories from executives who have ‘been there, done that,’ Doug Sundheim teaches us that sometimes the most dangerous thing to do—in business and life—is to play it safe.” —Marshall Goldsmith, million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There “Sundheim delivers a message that every business needs to hear right now: excessive risk will kill you, but so will complacency. . . . If you’re charged with driving growth in your organization, buy this book—but more importantly, use it.” —Jed Hartman, Group Publisher, Fortune & CNNMoney.com “A spectacular book! The stories were powerful, the advice was crystal clear, and every few pages called me to action. I have bookmarked more pages in Taking Smart Risks than I have in any book since reading Peter Drucker’s classics.” —Michael Hejtmanek, President & CEO, Hasselblad Bron Inc. “Doug Sundheim does an excellent job of demonstrating not only how to take smart risks, but also how to lead the process of risk-taking—a critical skill set for leaders today.” —Cindy Zollinger, President & CEO, Cornerstone Research “A compelling case for why smart risk taking is so important in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.” —Willie Pietersen, Professor, Columbia Business School; former CEO, Tropicana and Seagram USA

A must read for CEOs and senior business executives who wish to transform and transcend circumstance, Magnificent Leadership is the culmination of the author’s interviews with leadership exemplars across all different domains for The Making Magnificence Project®. Inviting you into the unique leadership journeys that she captured, the author distills the essential elements of leadership success gleaned during her interviews. Although well suited for business executives leading in high stakes, chaotic environments, this book is for anyone who hopes to create something greater from circumstance and claim the future.