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The Power of Giving Away Power

How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go

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Hardcover
$28.00 US
On sale Jun 01, 2021 | 240 Pages | 9780525541042

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“This book is a breakthrough. It’s beautifully written, perfectly timed and heralds a new way forward. I’m buying a dozen copies to share with friends and colleagues.”

-Seth Godin, Founder of altMBA and author of The Practice
 
If you let go of hierarchy, chaos will reign...or so many leaders believe.
 
But when leaders find the courage to distribute rather than hoard power, creativity multiplies, trust deepens, and inclusivity expands... and a new kind of order emerges.

A few rare leaders have learned to embrace a new organizational shape and mindset: Constellations. Organizations designed as constellations are dynamic and flexible networks of distinct yet interwoven individuals. Each member of the team feels like a singular star and is also connected to others to form something greater. That is how Visa reimagined how we pay for things, how Wikipedia beat the richest company in the world and how Barack Obama and his grassroots team revolutionized political campaigning. These leaders did what most leaders dread – they gave away power.
 
Barzun brilliantly layers lessons across history and industries with his own experiences as an internet entrepreneur, political organizer, and US ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden. The Power of Giving Away Power shows how the Constellation mindset shines in some of the most impactful organizations and innovations the world has ever known. And it encourages us all to recognize, as Barzun writes, "the power we can create by seeing the power in others" — and making the leap to lead. Together. 
© Andrew Hyslop
MATTHEW BARZUN has served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden. He served as National Finance Chair for former President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in 2011 and 2012. In 2008, he volunteered for then-Senator Barack Obama's presidential election campaign, leading the effort to conduct supporter-driven small-dollar fundraisers. He joined CNET Networks in 1993 as its fourth employee and held various management positions during his 11 years with the company, including Chief Strategy Officer. He currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky in the United States of America with his wife Brooke Brown Barzun and his three children. He speaks frequently at organizations, governments, and non-profits about the ideas in this book. View titles by Matthew Barzun

About

“This book is a breakthrough. It’s beautifully written, perfectly timed and heralds a new way forward. I’m buying a dozen copies to share with friends and colleagues.”

-Seth Godin, Founder of altMBA and author of The Practice
 
If you let go of hierarchy, chaos will reign...or so many leaders believe.
 
But when leaders find the courage to distribute rather than hoard power, creativity multiplies, trust deepens, and inclusivity expands... and a new kind of order emerges.

A few rare leaders have learned to embrace a new organizational shape and mindset: Constellations. Organizations designed as constellations are dynamic and flexible networks of distinct yet interwoven individuals. Each member of the team feels like a singular star and is also connected to others to form something greater. That is how Visa reimagined how we pay for things, how Wikipedia beat the richest company in the world and how Barack Obama and his grassroots team revolutionized political campaigning. These leaders did what most leaders dread – they gave away power.
 
Barzun brilliantly layers lessons across history and industries with his own experiences as an internet entrepreneur, political organizer, and US ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden. The Power of Giving Away Power shows how the Constellation mindset shines in some of the most impactful organizations and innovations the world has ever known. And it encourages us all to recognize, as Barzun writes, "the power we can create by seeing the power in others" — and making the leap to lead. Together. 

Author

© Andrew Hyslop
MATTHEW BARZUN has served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden. He served as National Finance Chair for former President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in 2011 and 2012. In 2008, he volunteered for then-Senator Barack Obama's presidential election campaign, leading the effort to conduct supporter-driven small-dollar fundraisers. He joined CNET Networks in 1993 as its fourth employee and held various management positions during his 11 years with the company, including Chief Strategy Officer. He currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky in the United States of America with his wife Brooke Brown Barzun and his three children. He speaks frequently at organizations, governments, and non-profits about the ideas in this book. View titles by Matthew Barzun

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