It's done! New book comes out in February

I am pleased to say that the new book is completed and the publication date is early February 2015. Writing the book has been a long and tiring but exhilarating process. But it is done! The title is Leadership for a Fractured World: How to Cross Boundaries, Build Bridges, and Lead Change, and the publisher is the wonderful San Francisco based publishing house, Berrett-Koehler. They have been amazing to work with. The essence of the book is this: It is indeed a fractured and crazy world and we need to think about leadership and change very differently. Leaders today must be global change agents, whether operating on the international stage or at the local level. By that I mean they must have a global perspective and see how complex problems are systemic, interdependent problems that require crossing divides to mobilize diverse groups to engage in problem solving and to do the creative work of generating something that adds value for all. 
       
The book addresses the demands and challenges of crossing boundaries to exercise leadership. It also presents the challenge of busting boundaries. Sometimes the boundaries of a group (a team, organization, or community) are so constraining, the boundaries need to be busted to allow new information and resources in and to help the group get connected to the larger system. There will also be times when boundaries need to be transcended--the group must leave the safety of the ordered world they know and embark on an adventure in pursuit of creativity, innovation, and discovery. And there is also the leadership challenge of building bridges to connect groups separated by deep divides. These could be groups in conflict or groups that are simply a mystery to one another. The book also addresses the challenge of keeping yourself from fracturing and succumbing to the stress of being a change agent in a crazy world. It is very easy to burnout because you take on too much, or to be burned at the stake because you are such a threat to the boundary keepers of the prevailing order, therefore wisdom is needed to manage the self and navigate the cultural and political terrain in which the problem resides. But the book also speaks to the joy of being a change agent and working with inspiring and extraordinary people who share your commitment to make the world a better place.

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