How the Internet Generation Redefines the Workplace
By Trond Arne Undheim, Ph.D.
Leadership From Below explains how the workplace is being changed by ideas from Asia, Scandinavia, and the socially-networked internet. All managers – but especially the growing group of de facto managers – will take away usable leadership skills.
The Internet generation of interculturally minded, socially networked leaders is redefining the workplace. Management is slow to respond. Whether you are changing the rules, or watching the rules change, you need to read this book. How can you ground your leadership in the here and now?
Asian philosophy — with concepts like ba, Zen, feng shui, and ki — is becoming increasingly important for tomorrow’s leader. Blend that with the Scandinavian mindset of egalitarianism, openness, and gender equity, add sophisticated use of network effects and you begin to understand the true logic of Internet in the workplace. Cultural diversity and technological dependence are global trends that demand constant attention. See how they can be integrated in a pragmatic leadership framework. Know:
- How to lead without being the leader
- How to adapt quickly to change
- How to thrive on diversity
- How to be a trendsetter in technology
- How to be on top but still have a life
Effective leadership of tomorrow will have little to do with formal position. Leadership is an attitude, not a position. Power will vary from project to project. Those who excel at sharing and pooling knowledge will win. But effective leaders not only need the requisite skills, they need the right attitude and behavior.
Leadership from below: A management perspective built on peer-to-peer, community, energy, and psychological balance.
“A must-read for any young manager looking to apply the lessons of eBay, Google and Facebook to the real world.”
— JULIAN HERBSTEIN, FOUNDER AND CEO, MAGIC FITNESS
“It is a book containing real strategies for real people, based on a philosophy of leadership and a way of thinking that at first seems so obvious, yet at the same time remains so elusive to most of us.”
— ESPEN MOE, PHD, AUTHOR OF GOVERNANCE, GROWTH AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP (2007); PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT NTNU
“Leadership from Below presents an important set of skills and concepts that anyone can use to maximize his or her potential influence and impact in an organization.”
— BARBARA LARSON, MBA, EXECUTIVE PROFESSOR, MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE D’AMORE-MCKIM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY