Care to Dare

About the Author

George Kohlrieser is an organizational and clinical psychologist. He serves as a professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior and is the creator and director of the High-Performance Leadership Program at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. His first book, Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others, and Raise Performance, was an international bestseller.

Susan Goldsworthy is the founder and CEO of Goldswolf & Associates, a company specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, and change communications. She works with several international clients, is on the faculty at Webster University's Geneva campus, and serves as an executive coach and consultant lecturer at IMD.

Duncan Coombe is a teacher, researcher, author, and adviser. He is on the faculty of Ashridge Business School and is a consultant to the Fowler Center for Sustainable Value. Coombe works as an external consultant to various for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Main Idea

"Care to Dare: Unleashing Astonishing Potential Through Secure Base Leadership" reveals how leaders can unlock incredible potential within themselves and their teams by becoming "Secure Base Leaders." These leaders master the balance between providing care and encouraging daring actions. By building trust, delivering change, and inspiring focus, leaders can create an environment conducive to innovation and high performance.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Essence of Secure Base Leadership
2. The Secure Base Leader
3. The Bonding Cycle: Building Trust Through Connection
4. Embracing Change and Grief
5. The Mind's Eye: Guiding Focus and Performance
6. Playing to Win: Achieving Sustainable High Performance
7. Strengthening Your Own Secure Bases
8. Becoming a Secure Base for Others
9. Transforming Your Organization into a Secure Base
10. Humanizing Leadership and Organizations

Introduction: The Essence of Secure Base Leadership

In the preface, the authors set the stage for the concept of Secure Base Leadership. They define a "secure base" as a person, place, goal, or object that provides a sense of protection and caring, while also inspiring and energizing others to take risks and seek challenges. This combination of safety and stretch is essential for leaders who wish to unleash the full potential of their teams.

"Secure Base Leadership works at the personal, team, and organizational levels. You care enough to dare people to reach for their dreams, and in the process, you return to your very own humanity." - George Kohlrieser

The Secure Base Leader

Secure Base Leaders are those who can offer both care and challenge to their teams. They create an environment where people feel safe enough to take risks and pursue innovative ideas. This chapter emphasizes that Secure Base Leadership is not merely a set of skills but a way of being.