One Piece of Paper

MIKE FIGLIUOLO is the founder and managing director of thoughtLEADERS, LLC, a professional services firm specializing in leadership development, and a nationally-recognized speaker and blogger on the topic of leadership. An Honor Graduate from West Point, Figliuolo served in the U.S. Army as a combat arms officer. Before founding his own company, he was an assistant professor at Duke University, a consultant at McKinsey & Co., and an executive at Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

• Part One The Leadership Maxims Approach1 Understanding the Leadership Maxims Approach 32 On Buzzwords 15Part Two Leading Yourself3 Learning to Lead Yourself 254 Why Do You Get Out of Bed Every Day? 335 How Will You Shape Your Future? 416 What Guidelines Do You Live By? 517 When You Fall Down, How Do You Pick Yourself Back Up? 618 How Do You Hold Yourself Accountable? 71Part Three Leading the Thinking9 Becoming a Thought Leader 8310 What Standards Do You Hold Your Team To? 8911 Where Are You Taking Your People? 9912 How Will You Foresee the Future? 11113 After All That Thinking, How Will You Drive Action? 119Part Four Leading Your People14 What It Means to Lead Your People 13115 What Is Your Natural Style? 13716 How Will You Remember to Treat Your Team Members as Individuals? 14717 How Will You Stay Connected to Your Team’s Reality? 15718 How Will You Commit to Your People’s Growth? 167Part Five Leading a Balanced Life19 Defining Balance 17920 How Will You Define Your Boundaries? 18521 How Will You Keep Things in Perspective? 19322 What Are You Passionate About? 201Part Six Making It Real23 Living Your Maxims 21124 Sharing 217Acknowledgments 223Appendix A: The Author’s Maxims 229Appendix B: Your Maxims 231About the Author 233Index 235

"Devoid of the normal leadership philosophy B.S., One Piece of Paper is a simple yet profound guide for defining who you are and what you want to be as a leader. Read this book and write your own leadership maxims-it will make you a better leader and it may change your life!"—Roland Smith, president and CEO, Wendy's / Arby's Group "One Piece of Paper elegantly tackles the complex topic of leadership and makes it real, practical, and powerful for leaders in all walks of life. Leadership is about relationships. The approach explained in this book will help you build a strong foundation for the relationships you have with your team."—Mike Krzyzewski, head coach, Duke University"In One Piece of Paper, Mike Figliuolo brushes aside the buzzwords and offers a clear path to becoming a truly authentic leader. If you want your team to work both harder and smarter—not just because you're the boss, but because you're a trusted ally—buy this book."—Keith Ferrazzi, author, Who's Got Your Back and Never Eat Alone"Because Mike Figliuolo is a leader himself, he truly understands the challenges leaders face in the real business world. His guidance and advice are practical, and in One Piece of Paper he zeroes in on the skills leaders need to compete effectively in today's global environment."—Gail Leiber, director, Global Learning & Development Consulting Practice, Abbott Laboratories"With professional ease, Mike joins with his reader through the building of leadership maxims, with a promise of collection into ‘one piece of paper’ at the end. The book feels like a conversation between two old friends, one of them being you."—John Galvin, General, U.S. Army, Retired and Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe"With his unique insights from decades of experience as a combat arms officer, management consultant, Fortune 500 executive, and entrepreneur, Mike Figliuolo has hit the mark with a must-read for leaders at all levels who want to radically improve their effectiveness."—The Honorable David McCormick, Under Secretary of the U.S Treasury (2007-2009)"Once I began it, I could not put Mike's book down as I learned how to learn about myself. Beginning with establishing an honest, personal introspective foundation, One Piece of Paper provides a hands-on, actionable guide to credible, effective leadership."—Jack Partridge, president, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc."Dynamic leaders at all levels will benefit from Mike Figliuolo's experience and powerful approach. If you are ready to take ownership of defining your authentic style of leadership, then One Piece of Paper is the place to begin."—Kim Gravell, vice president, Strategy Management, Cardinal Health"One Piece of Paper is exceptionally framed, forward-thinking, and thought provoking. Mike Figliuolo provides key leadership insights and perspectives that are real. This book represents concise, practical, and effective thinking on leadership, and plainly said, this approach works."—Darcie Zeliesko, group leader, Heinz North America"Mike Figliuolo's maxims approach to leadership provides a simple yet profound template for developing the kind of synergy, trust, and confidence essential for successful organizations."—Robert F. Foley, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Retired