Taking Advice: How Leaders Get Good Counsel And Use It Wisely - Hardcover

In Taking Advice, Ciampa explains that more outside advisors than ever are offering leaders advice in increasingly costly projects. Yet as advice has become more ubiquitous, leaders have grown less satisfied with it—especially when dealing with high-stakes, unfamiliar situations that require assertive action and speed but also wise judgment. Also, leaders too often overlook help from colleagues, board members, subordinates, friends, and spouses.

Good advice bridges the gap between a leader’s vision and realization of that vision. When leaders fail to solicit advice or obtain it from the wrong sources, the leader and his vision suffer. By offering the broadest perspective on advice to date, Ciampa helps you avoid this scenario. He provides a topology of advice (strategic, operational, political, personal) and defines four types of advisors (expert, experienced, sounding board, partner). He also identifies the defining characteristics of effective advice takers—illustrating them with a wealth of examples from business, the public sector, and history.

—Brenda Barnes, Chairman and CEO, Sara Lee Corporation

“In Taking Advice, Dan Ciampa has again broken new ground with a clear, practical guide to a topic that we all too often ignore.” —Travis Engen, former President and CEO, Alcan Inc.

“As an executive, you may spend millions soliciting advice during your career. The compelling stories, engaging logic, and tips in this book will help you understand how much of that money could be wasted and will help ensure great decision making for the future. Take my advice—you really need to read this book!” —Richard E. Boyatzis, Professor of Organizational Development and Psychology at Case Western Reserve University, and coauthor of the bestselling Primal Leadership and Resonant Leadership.

“Learning how to take advice is invaluable not only in business, but also in the context of health and medicine, relationships, personal finance, and life goals. In Taking Advice, Dan Ciampa conveys his experience and expertise in an enjoyable, interesting, and easy-to-read book. It is a ‘must read’ for improving and enhancing business or personal life. Take my advice—learn from the expert!”

—Mark Liponis, Medical Director, Canyon Ranch Health Resorts