Overview

Are you unsure how to implement your good ideas? Do you struggle to put your suggestions into action?Do you feel stymied as to why your talented people don't share their best ideas? Unauthorized Progress reveals inspiring stories of ordinary heroes leading from the middle to achieve extraordinary results in the midst of serious crises ... Hurricane Katrina, wildfires, operations in Afghanistan, and more. Adapt their strategies to increase your effectiveness. Inside you will discover: A step-by-step flowchart for leading change from the middle Criteria decision-makers use to evaluate initiatives Implementation strategies for effectively leading from the middle Consultant tools you can adapt for your personal initiatives

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9781734730708

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I met Captain Geoff Abbott shortly after flying a failed rescue mission attempting to save people trapped in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Prior to 9/11, I was a young Coast Guard Lieutenant who saw things that could be improved but felt powerless in a large organization to do anything about it. I was fortunate to have Capt. Abbott as my mentor. He shared his paper on 'Leading Change from the Middle, ' which this book expands upon, and helped empower me by realizing we were all leaders at various levels of whatever organization we were in. His guidance and support helped me implement five agency-wide innovation projects and truly make a difference. I deployed with him to New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina and while there, numerous people from throughout the Coast Guard came up to Capt. Abbott and thanked him for transforming their lives the same way he had transformed mine. This book will give you the tools needed to make a difference no matter what level you are in any organization. Chris Kluckhuhn, Rescue Helicopter Pilot, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Retired) Coast Guard Annual Innovation Award Winner, Founder and CEO of Avwatch, Inc. Capt. Abbott makes public what has made many professional careers by recognizing that no one has a corner on the market of good ideas. The superior leader encourages idea generation from the troops actually doing the work and rewards those who identify a better way to accomplish the mission. James Loy, Admiral, former Coast Guard Commandant, TSA Administrator, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Like a twenty-five-dollar ax to save people trapped under roofs in rising flood waters, Unauthorized Progress breaks through the tangle of hierarchy and compliance cultures to liberate the human ingenuity needed to solve mission-stymying, real-world problems. From a platform of solid, often jaw-dropping decisions by individuals who hold themselves accountable for results, he builds a framework to help us think through when and how to take appropriate, responsible and 'unauthorized' initiatives. Ira Chaleff, author of Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told to Do Is Wrong and The Courageous Follower Unauthorized Progress provides a template for action for those seeking to achieve success and make a difference at any level. Geoff Abbott is an outstanding role model and mentor! His sage guidance will empower you to lead at any level. His methodical process will help you recognize opportunities to take charge even when you are not! He quantifies a 'never give up' strategy that gives you the strength to continue regardless of the obstacles. This is a must-read book for anyone, especially those who aren't privileged to have a mentor but who truly desire to break out of the ordinary and become a transformational leader. Donna Barbisch, Major General, U.S. Army (Retired) Unauthorized Progress addresses what is often a fuzzy and potentially risky concept of leading beyond one's authority. Much like many of our nation's founding fathers, the inspiring stories and strategies about ordinary people striving to achieve meaningful results, often leads to extraordinary impacts. A process and supporting strategies for leading 'from the middle' are presented in a clear, logical, and convincing manner that shouts, 'You can do this!' Donald T. Phillips, author of Character in Action and The Founding Fathers on Leadership

Author Information

Dr. Geoff Abbott is the senior faculty member at the Securities and Exchange Commission's College of Leadership Development (CLD), responsible for development, delivery, and oversight of SEC leadership programs. Prior to joining CLD, Geoff was a thirty-year career Coast Guard officer where he held two commands, led the Performance Excellence Program, chaired the Commandant's Innovation Council, and served as the first CG/DHS Fellow at the Homeland Security Institute. As an Excellence in Government (EIG) Senior Fellow, EIG co-coach and Partnership for Public Service Leadership Alumni Board member (seventeen years), he's led several workshops on leading change from the middle. Geoff holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, conducting research to improve organizational performance through innovation and empowering the workforce, earned two MIT engineering graduate degrees, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. A Professional Engineer, Geoff served as a national director of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and is a founding director of MIT's Military Alumni Association. 23rd Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

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