Optimize Your Strengths

James Brook and Dr Paul Brewerton, founders of Strengths Partnership,(www.strengthspartnership.com) are recognised experts and innovators of positive psychology in the workplace. Strengths Partnership has a ?1.2 million turnover and clients include Facebook, Legal & General, Santander, Photobox, British Council and Pizza Express. They have 10 UK resellers, 10 global distributors (including China, U.S.A. Ireland, Norway, France, The Netherlands, India, UAE, Sub Saharan Africa, Poland) and 30 consulting partners who sell and promote their Strengthscope products, which include a strengths-profiling 360 assessment, strengths building for teams and ?strengths coaching. There are 1600 accredited partners in the UK and 400 internationally, plus a 10,000 name database. James is an accomplished executive coach, facilitator, consultant and speaker with over 17 years' experience developing high performing leaders, teams and organisations through helping people optimise their distinctive strengths and competencies. He has strong international experience and has run consulting, training and coaching projects for a variety of organisations including Allen and Overy, CareerBuilder, Foster Wheeler, ING Direct, Kellogg's, Brown and Root, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Tesco, Shell and Yahoo! Dr Paul Brewerton is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with over 17 years' experience in leading successful consulting practices and projects. He has worked with a diverse range of clients including, the Natural History Museum, Bank of England, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Royal Air Force, Takeda, Oracle, Panasonic and many other organisations. Both authors are regular speakers to managers, leaders, business schools and L&D practitioners.

• Acknowledgements viiForeword ixIntroduction xiChapter 1 – The Leadership Edge 1In which Joe comes to terms with his predicament and challenges his beliefs about leadership…Chapter 2 – Habit 1: Sharing Vision (stretch goals) 21In which Joe practises setting stretch goals…Chapter 3 – Habit 1: Sharing Vision (optimizing strengths) 47In which Joe practises optimizing his strengths…Chapter 4 – Habit 2: Sparking Engagement (optimizing others’ strengths) 65In which Joe practises optimizing the strengths of others and takesactiontoreduceperformancerisk…Chapter 5 – Habit 3: Skilfully Executing (strengths-based culture) 77In which Joe practises stretching the limits and reinforces a strengths-based culture…Chapter 6 – Habit 3: Skilfully Executing (reinforcing a strengths-based culture) 93In which Joe continues to stretch the limits…Chapter 7 – Habit 4: Sustaining Progress 109In which Joe recognizes achievement…Chapter 8 – Postscript 121In which Joe celebrates success and passes on his learning…Appendix – The Stretch Toolbox 127Free tools and resources to help you transform your leadershipGlossary of Terms 147About the Authors 153

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