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    The Power of Vulnerability

    How to Create a Team of Leaders by Shifting INward

    By Jeffrey Manchester, Barry Kaplan

    Published 01/2018



    About the Author

    Barry Kaplan and Jeffrey Manchester are seasoned experts in organizational development and leadership. Kaplan, a partner in Shift 180, specializes in executive and team coaching, leading offsites and retreats for entrepreneurs and leaders. Manchester has worked with over 1,000 presidents and CEOs as a strategic advisor, focusing on unlocking the potential of individuals and teams through authenticity and vulnerability.

    Main Idea

    The Power of Vulnerability: How to Create a Team of Leaders by Shifting INward by Barry Kaplan and Jeffrey Manchester explores how embracing vulnerability and authenticity can transform corporate culture. The book provides a roadmap to fostering an environment where individuals and teams can thrive by being true to themselves and each other, creating a sense of safety, encouraging exploration, and developing INpowered teams that transcend traditional hierarchical structures.

    Table of Contents

    1. The Journey Begins: Isn’t It Time?
    2. Return to Connection: INpowerment Is Worth It
    3. Breakthrough: Claim Responsibility to Shift Direction
    4. Who Goes First? Don’t Look Outside Yourself for the Leader
    5. Reclaim Your Power: Any and All Leaders IN
    6. Time to Show Up: Start a Cultural Revolution in Your World
    7. Hang On: Disruptive Processes Ahead
    8. Warm Up: Access Power Through Vulnerability—Ask, Don’t Tell
    9. Taking the Leap: Safety Belts, Please!
    10. Where Are You Right Now? Eyes on the Road
    11. Rules of Engagement
    12. Wow, Honesty! Navigating Rocky Roads
    13. Embracing Our Fellow Travelers
    14. Making Our Way: Use It or Lose It
    15. Real Journeys
    16. Wide Road Ahead: It’s Your Brave New World

    The Journey Begins: Isn’t It Time?

    The journey towards INpowerment starts with a desire for more meaning and fulfillment at work. Kaplan and Manchester highlight the disconnection many feel from their purpose and authenticity, leading to dissatisfaction. They assert that the root cause of this disconnection is self-limiting beliefs, which create barriers to expressing our true selves in professional settings. By shifting inward and embracing vulnerability, we can begin to unlock our true potential and reconnect with our values and internal sources of power.

    "Disconnection from purpose and authenticity is the root cause of loneliness and lack of inspiration." - Barry Kaplan and Jeffrey Manchester

    Return to Connection: INpowerment Is Worth It

    Organizations play a crucial role in fostering environments that encourage connection and engagement. Embracing authenticity is key to unlocking power. When individuals feel seen and understood for who they truly are, it creates a supportive and empathetic workplace. This emotional engagement leads to loyalty and long-term commitment. The authors emphasize that true empowerment comes from within—INpowerment—and it requires a shift towards personal responsibility and authenticity.

    Breakthrough: Claim Responsibility to Shift Direction

    The journey to INpowerment begins with an inward shift. Kaplan and Manchester stress that change starts with the individual. By taking responsibility for our own "stuckness," we can begin to make meaningful changes. This involves reconnecting with our values, beliefs, and passions. The authors encourage readers to engage with themselves and others more fully, fostering deeper connections and creating a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

    "The change you must make begins with you." - Barry Kaplan and Jeffrey Manchester

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