Edgar Papke - The Elephant in the Boardroom: How Leaders Use and Manage Conflict to Reach Greater Levels of Success

Edgar Papkes The Elephant in the Boardroom provides a well-thought-out discussion of what leaders often forget: leading with intention. I found myself reading the book and asking if I led my own company in a manner that affords managers the opportunity to contribute to our success. In , Loving Elephants, I love the idea that You walk into the meeting room and ask the members of your team to help you identify all the conflicts that need to be talked about and are currently not being confronted. The book validates that leaders dont have all the answers or know what needs to be done next. It challenges you to walk with the elephants and positively address any conflicts that may be hindering growth.

Heidi Gerding, CEO, HeiTech Services, Inc.

The Elephant in the Boardroom absolutely captures Edgar Papkes essence as a student and teacher of business. He knows how to take a very deep-seated problem embedded in our business culture and dig it out for us to look at in a scientific and productive manner. He differentiates managing conflict from getting involved in conflict and clearly defines the emotional connection to conflict that is the usual suspect in preventing leaders from dealing with it. Deep inside, we think we need to do battle with others on their level, using their weapons, methods and rules of engagement. Edgar gives us tools to manage the interaction on our level, with our methods, and our rules of engagement.

Dan Berman, CEO, PharmaCentra

Benjamin Franklin stated, In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. In The Elephant in the Boardroom, Edgar Papke does an extraordinary job of analyzing and discussing a third certainty for all leadersconflict. As Papke poignantly points out, if it wasnt for conflict, leaders wouldnt exist. Papke freshly explores and navigates through the dysfunctions and dire consequences of avoiding conflict, as well as the steps and processes involved in embracing conflict, including its critical benefits. Papke demonstrates that embracing conflict is perhaps the single-most important skill you can develop in becoming a successful leader.

Bob Pruitt, president, Cal-Tex Protective Coatings, Inc.

A masterpiece. The Elephant in the Boardroom goes way beyond the boardroom of any business and reaches anyone who wants a better relationship with their spouse, kids, parents, employees, bosses, or customers. This book builds on Edgars brilliant book True Alignment, which helped me actively build our businesss culture so we confront and face conflict rather than wait for the elephant to sit on us. Building such a culture is really hard to do, and having a framework and a starting point that both of these books provide is an imperative first step to building lasting authentic relationships.

Ted Risdall, CEO, The Risdall Marketing Group

Aligning a global culture to a shared purpose to differentiate and win is a tall task. Operating in 25 different countries to achieve this requires developing competencies in having deeper conversations that foster mutual understanding for superior execution. This is paramount to our ability to win. The Elephant in the Boardroom clearly articulates how embracing and managing conflict is a competency of communication we must grasp, practice, and apply. And, more importantly, that avoiding conflict is a true driver of dysfunction none of us can afford. Edgar provides excellent insights and useful tools that I put to work right away.

Ralph J. Vasami, Chief Executive Officer, Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.

With his new book, Edgar Papke brings the role of conflict into the forefront and examines how it impacts leaders on a daily basis. By framing conflict as an integral factor in becoming a great leader, he invites us to explore our own hesitations in dealing with it head-on and provides the necessary tools to do just that, and to become better leaders. I am especially encouraged by the fact that it is never too late to address our own legacies and that we each have the power within us to initiate change. The concept of fearless exploration provides a definition of what we should all strive to achieve. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to become a stronger leader.

Lisa Rissetto, CEO, G. Hensler & Co.

I love the premise and totally agree with the idea that it is impossible to understand how we manage conflict without knowing that our story is sitting on our shoulders and running the show. I am a huge fan of The Elephant in the Boardroom and the approach of Leading With Intention, asking the question, What game am I really out to win? Im also coming to understand that where intention was once an outcome, I now find that it is more of a journey that gets more refined with experience. I am thankful for Edgar Papkes commitment to put into words those ideas that matter most.

Donald Myers, Vistage Chair

I have experienced leadership as a great quest. When I was younger, I thought there were correct answers to every situation. I wanted the methodology to follow to get assured success. After 30 years as a manager, I am more intrigued by the authentic journey. In his book The Elephant in the Boardroom, Papke gives us his heartfelt, thoughtful framework and guide, reflecting his years of experience. Whether one is just starting out, or one is focused on developing new leaders at the end of a career, this book can help any leader.

Chuck Peters, president and CEO, The Gazette Company

A masterful work full of practical advice on how we expect leaders to face the great challenges and problems of our time (hint: courage is mentioned more than a few times). The Elephant in the Boardroom presents a clear roadmap for leaders to use breakdowns for breakthroughs to reach new levels of organizational effectiveness.

Jan Rutherford, founder, Self-Reliant Leadership, and author, The Littlest Green Beret

In one book, Edgar Papke shows how a company and its leadership team can use constructive conflict as a path to innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth. The Elephant in the Boardroom gives us a simple and practical roadmap to how to accelerate success within business, regardless of size or industry. Our founder, my dad, built our company on the pillars of positive conflict. He would have been so impressed with Edgar and the logical approach to the many lessons in his new book. I plan on making it must-reading for our management team.

Joseph Armentano, Chief Executive Officer, Paraco Gas Corp

I grew up in a family that had elephants embedded in our lives. I started a company and unknowingly injected elephants into the relationships of my team. After reading this exceptional book, I understand the value of conflict and how confronting it generates creativity and demonstrates courage. Now, I am on a new path as a leader in search of elephants and for opportunities to identify conflict.

Richard Yukes, president, Black Bear Oil Corp

The Elephant in the Boardroom is a compelling new way for leaders to think about conflict and their relationship to it. Papke is a curator. He distills a complex conversation into the three core expectations we have about leadership. Leaders at every level will be well-served using his ideas to drive success and change.

Joe Farlow Clark, CEO, Prana Business LLC

THE
ELEPHANT
IN THE
BOARDROOM

How Leaders Use and Manage Conflict to Achieve Greater Levels of Success