Nan S. Russell - The Titleless Leader: How to Get Things Done When You’re Not in Charge

Praise for The Titleless Leader

Nan Russell has done it again! The Titleless Leader follows her wonderful book, Hitting Your Stride, and has the same positive, encouraging, healthy, motivating spirit. With insightful chapters like Dependable Politics, Painting Pictures, and Becoming an Independent Thinker, you will find stories, examples, and how-tos on every page. This is one you need in your library, and in your life.

Michael Kroth, Ph, coauthor of Managing the Mobile Workforce

When I was first asked to provide a comment for Nans new book, I was a little worried that Id be reading yet another lofty, abstract book about leadership. I was pleasantly surprised to find an accessible, thoughtful, and useful book that combines organizational theory and real-world stories with practical tips and tools. Integrating individual and organizational perspectives, The Titleless Leader offers something for everyoneestablished executives, up-and-coming managers, leaders of peer groups, and entry-level workers can all find something to use today. Thank you, Nan, for creating this useful resource that really captures your voice and thoughtful approach to organizational work!

Ned Cooney, consultant and facilitator to nonprofits, public agencies, business and community groups

Nan Russells new book, The Titleless Leader, is an extraordinary resource for both individuals and organizations struggling to thrive in todays economy. Contemporary challenges require a 21st-century leadership framework, which Nan has gifted to us all through this book. Todays workforce must be engaged, aligned, and collaboratively leading themselves and each other in order to move organizations from a model of surviving to thriving; the ingredients required for this success are within Nans well written book.

Jeff Lindeman, senior director, organizational performance and development, Transportation Industry; President, San Diego SHRM

My philosophy is we are all leaders. The question is, are we leading effectively? Nan Russell has captured the essence of leadership, including: operating with trust, helping others thrive, valuing differences, influencing versus controlling, building relationships, and cornerstone behaviors that are all essential to the leadership role. This book will provide you the tools you need to be the leader that others want to follow, regardless of your title.

Peggy Vasquez, Chief Executive Assistant, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

As a young professional, the exercises in The Titleless Leader confronted me with the negative behaviors that may have prevented me from achieving true leadership in the past. But along with the critique, came encouragement of the actions and thinking that were getting me to a place of success. I recognize that if I continue to let go of the bad habits and take positive action, like Nan suggests, Ill be able to achieve more than I thought possibleregardless of the amount of power I hold.

Kimberly Pelkofsky, architectural professional, University at Buffalo, class of 2005

Nan Russell is about helping others bring the best of who they are to their work. Her workplace insights are practical and provide real-world information that will positively affect anyones results.

Faye W. Kurren, president & CEO, Hawaii Dental Service

Nan Russell was critical in my human resources career and someone that I hold in the absolute highest regard; someone who is really special within the world of management and HR.

William Strahan, senior vice president, Human Resources Comcast

How to Get Things Done When Youre Not in Charge

NAN S. RUSSELL

Copyright 2012 by Nan S. Russell

All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, The Career Press.

THE TITLELESS LEADER
EDITED AND TYPESET BY KATHRYN HENCHES
Cover design by Rob Johnson/Toprotype
Printed in the U.S.A.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

CIP Data Available Upon Request.

This book is dedicated with love to Dan, Ian, Janine, Neva, and Adelin Russell. You keep me grounded in what matters.

No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.

Althea Gibson

If Michael Kroth, associate professor at the University of Idaho hadnt asked me to contribute a leadership article for an organizations newsletter, this book might never have happened. I wrote that article on something I labeled uncommon-practice leadership. That morphed into working and speaking about leadership that doesnt come with a title. These concepts plus emerging workplace trends evolved into The Titleless Leader. Thank you, Michael, for a nudge to turn my thoughts into something more.

If Lisa Hagan, my literary agent and president of Paraview Literary Agency, hadnt been persistent in looking for a home for my next book, she wouldnt have seen an opportunity when Michael Pye, senior acquisitions editor at Career Press turned down that proposal, but wondered if I had other ideas. Thank you Lisa, for believing in my work with unwavering support, and your help in bringing this idea to light. And thank you Michael, for seeing a spark and opening the door to a working relationship with Career Press. Im indebted to you, Adam Schwartz, Laurie Kelly-Pye, Gina Talucci, Kirsten Dalley, Jeff Piasky, Kate Henches, and the entire Career Press team.

If Jill Dodds and Beth Pelkofsky hadnt been willing to be part of this process, this book wouldnt be what it is. Im grateful to each of you. Thank you Jill, for your openness to try something new, your perseverance in finding the documentation and permissions to enable it to come alive, and your accurate and calming style. And, Beth, thank you for challenging me to make the message clearer, better, and more see-able; for your enhanced words, corrections, insights, multiple reads, and enduring support and friendship. I couldnt have written The Titleless Leader without you both.

If Dan Russell, my husband and best friend, hadnt provided decades of steadfast support and encouragement to me for pursuing my dreams, today I wouldnt be a writer, speaker, or helping others achieve their dreams. Thank you for your input, technical support, and giving up vacation in order to help me edit the final manuscript. But mostly, Dan, thank you for nourishing my spirit, cheering me on, and helping me bring out the music in my soul.

Nan S. Russell

PART ONE
From the Outside: What Does It Look Like?

PART TWO
From the Inside: How Does It Happen?

PART THREE
From the Practical Side: When?