Paradis Brian - Lead with imagination: regaining the power to lead and live in a changing world

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR LEAD WITH IMAGINATION

In the sterile world of the military, strategy is defined as the successful combination of ways, means, and ends. But those who practice strategy know to be successful; one has to have an imaginative approach (ways) to influence your people (means) and only those two factors will help you reach your dream (ends). Brian Paradis provides art-induced imagination and myriad stories of those he has influenced and who have influenced him to show how dreams come true. This terrific book tackles the art of leadership with stories, humor, love, grace, and selflessness, and Brian has accomplished his mission.

Mark Hertling, Lieutenant General (Retired) US Army, author of Growing Physician Leaders

Brian Paradis exemplifies how love, authenticity, humility, and creativity power truly great leadership. Lead with Imagination is a truly inspired blueprint for how to serve others with all of your heart, mind, and soul.

Todd Park, Co-Founder, athenahealth, Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Devoted Health

This is a book from the front lines of care that is simultaneously practical, visionary, and highly readable. Paradis passion is enabling the change the health care system so clearly needs.

Michael L. Millenson, President, Health Quality Advisors, speaker, and author of Demanding Medical Excellence

Lead with Imagination is filled with unique events the author experienced along his journey to ultimately becoming a true servant leader. He uses impactful, memorable, and heartfelt stories that truly illustrate the imperative for leaders to be vulnerable, curious, and imaginative. This is a must-read both for future and experienced leaders who wish to become Leaders of Consequence.

Ann Rhoades, President, People Ink, former Executive VP of People, JetBlue Airways, VP of People, Southwest Airlines and author of Built on Values

Anyone who understands leadership as a lifelong journey will enthusiastically resonate with Brian Paradis personal experience as an accomplished health care executive. Paradis generously shares vital and universal lessons in leadership and in life. As leaders, we are at our best to the extent that we are transparent with ourselves and others. Brian Paradis has accomplished both as a leader and as an author.

Joseph Nicosia, Chief Learning Officer, Kettering Health Network

Finally, a healthcare administrator who gets it! Brian Paradis clearly understands that leadership, especially leadership in healthcare, is relationship dependent. This book is a notable tool for any healthcare administrator to motivate an organizations caregivers to deliver the most valuable service that we all must depend on at some point in each of our lives. Brians inspiring anecdotes are the antidote for an unhealthy healthcare system! With humor, love, and compassion, he helps readers discover and share their innate gifts to heal caregivers, patients, and even themselves. A must-read for anyone with the passion to be a catalyst for healing!

Chuck Dietzen, MD, Physician, Global Health Advocate, and author of Pint-Sized Prophets

Brian Paradis takes us on an inspiring, humorous and insightful journey that is a must-read primer for anyone who truly wants to be a great leader!

Jason Brown, Co-Founder, CEO and Chief Strategy Officer of Brown Parker & DeMarinis Advertising

Deeply insightful, exquisitely written, and one of the clearest, most engaging books in this genre. Visionary and yet immensely practical, it is a quiet wake-up call from business as usual and shows how to drive market share, achieve top of mind awareness and enthusiastic repeat business, using the most imaginative force known to manlove.

Wintley Phipps, Founder and CEO, US Dream Academy, vocal artist, and author of Your Best Destiny

Brian Paradis offers a thoughtful, well-written, and deeply personal perspective on a much discussed and often poorly understood topicleadership. The subtitle says it all Regaining the Power to Lead not by taking control, creating rules, and establishing bureaucracy. Rather, his approach is rooted in engagement, exploration, and discovery in the spirit of whats possible. The structures that emerge facilitate the accomplishment of great things.

True leadership is not for the faint of heart; it takes courage, an honest look at oneself, and an appreciation of the impact we have on those around us. Brian challenges the reader to look beyond the usual and set the stage to unleash the creative power of those around them. And that requires trusta quality too often lacking in organizations today.

Through a process of guided self-discovery, Brian Paradis takes the reader on a journey, challenging widely held assumptions about leaders and leadership. Lead with Imagination will be a refreshing challenge for all who come in contact with it.

Rita E. Numerof, Ph.D, President and Co-founder at Numerof & Associates, and author of Bringing Value to Healthcare and Healthcare at a Turning Point

Copyright 2019 Brian Paradis

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Published by Forefront Books.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Cartoon by Justin Oeftger, www.behance.net/JustinOeftger

Mind Map Illustrations by Tony Dottino

Jacket Front Image by Shutterstock

9781948677141

9781948677158 eBook

To the executive team with whom I was privileged to journey, who put their own agendas aside and committed to creating something extraordinary... which they did.

To the more than 25,000 caregivers, including staff, clinicians, advanced practitioners, and physicians who each day brought their energy to the calling of serving and loving those around them, including one another, our patients and their families, and our community. I was in awe of you every single day.

To my colleagues in the healthcare industry, who are some of the best people on this planet.

To my partners and collaborators at CSuite Solutions, Imagination Works Media, Wired Coffee Bar, and SeraFuel, you have given me a new place to imagine, create, and innovate.

To so many who have energized, engaged and elevated me along the way. I am blessed and deeply indebted.

To my children and their spouses, you have so taught me what love has to do with it. You are the future of big imagination.

To my wife, Tina, you fully awakened my imagination on the first sort of date I had with you, drinking hot chocolate from the Golden Gallon gas station. You are the most extraordinary woman I have ever known, a beautiful blend of motion and emotion, my best friend, creative collaborator, and the girl who makes me laugh. I love you Beyond Z .