vid S. Pottruck
Stacking the Deck
“Some leaders drive the train and some are out in front of the engine laying new track. The real differences are made by those who imagine new ways of transport and inspire others to create them. What's most exciting about Stacking the Deck is that it comes from an operator, as Dave Pottruck has a lifetime of experience in the excitement, disappointment, and elation inherent in radically changing the order of things. This is a practical guide to bold change – one to use immediately and often.”
“Dave Pottruck's book is packed with good advice, clear thinking, and a well-organized blueprint for anyone who intends to embark on leading change. His passion for leading change and his expertise as a mentor and a leader come through loud and clear, making Stacking the Deck an educational and compelling read.”
“Being an entrepreneur isn't a profession. It's a condition or maybe an incurable disease. I'd say the same thing about being an agent of organizational change. Both rest on a belief that anything we're doing today, we can do better tomorrow – if we have skills and tenacity. Dave Pottruck, who's been there and done that, points readers in the right direction.”
“Many books have been written about why organizations need to change, yet leading change remains one of the hardest things leaders do. Stacking the Deck is the first practical, step-by-step guide to leading transformational or breakthrough change. I wish Dave Pottruck had written this book before I was turning around drugstore.com– and you can be sure I'll keep it as a reference!”
“We've all learned the following truth the hard way: managing change is hard! Leaders need a practical guide to achieve breakthrough transformation – and this is exactly what Dave Pottruck provides in Stacking the Deck. He's been in the trenches and knows what it takes to successfully lead the change process and create an ongoing innovation culture for your organization.”
“Stacking the Deck is not just about leading business transformation. It's also about the transformation of a business leader. Dave Pottruck shares his deeply personal journey and those of other seasoned executives as they navigate leading change in uncharted territory. By outlining the do's and don'ts, Pottruck's guidebook equips every C-level executive with the leadership courage and the framework for success in tackling today's exponential and continuous challenges.”
“I am fortunate to work for an organization with a very focused mission – sustained competitive excellence at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The complicated part of our business is not deciding what to do, but rather how to do it. How do you make changes in a constituent-based organization where the constituents have equal passion but very different objectives and abilities? It is almost as if Dave Pottruck's book was written with us in mind. As practical as it is thoughtful, this is a must-read if you recognize the need for change but don't know where to start.”
“Where others see challenges and problems, Dave Pottruck sees opportunities. Throughout my time with Dave at Charles Schwab, he sought out transformational change with greater and lesser success but always with an eye to opportunity. Dave moderates the complexity of change through simplified checklists and gives you confidence that you, too, can implement radical change.”
“There's great comfort in knowing even the best leaders and the best plans run into resistance. Dave Pottruck's detailed, step-by-step guidance for overcoming barriers and leading change successfully is both practical and inspiring, whether you're in the profit or not-for-profit world. I'll put the insights and wisdom of Stacking the Deck to good use!”
“Attempting to lead breakthrough change without this book is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Who wouldn't want to gain an unfair advantage by tapping into Dave Pottruck's vast experience and powerful, purposeful approach, augmented with valuable insights from other successful leaders? Stacking the Deck will help you succeed.”
STACKING THE DECK
HOW TO LEAD BREAKTHROUGH CHANGE AGAINST ANY ODDS
David S. Pottruck
Foreword by
Tony La Russa
Cover design by Wiley
Copyright © 2015 by David S. Pottruck. All rights reserved.
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