Michael J. Gelb - The Art of Connection: 7 Relationship-Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now

BUSINESS / PERSONAL GROWTH

T hese days, its often easier to avoid face-to-face contact in favor of technological shortcuts. But as Michael Gelb argues in this compelling, entertaining book, the meaningful relationships that come from real interaction are the key to creating innovative ideas and solving our most intractable problems. In The Art of Connection, Gelb offers readers seven methods of developing this essential rapport in their professional and personal lives. Each chapter covers specific techniques and illustrates them with memorable stories, relevant scientific research, and hands-on exercises that allow readers to apply their new skills. Most important, Gelb reminds us that developing rapport with others is not just a business tool to enhance productivity but a valuable end in itself. He guides us to cultivate the skills we all need to deepen our relationships, broaden our humanity, and transform our lives.

More praise for The Art of Connection

Leadership is all about developing a culture that supports collaboration, innovation, and high performance. The heart of whats really required to make that happen is brought to life in this artful book. It is filled with motivational strategies and practical guidance to help you connect with yourself and others. If you lead any kind of team that aspires to greatness, youll want to be sure everyone reads The Art of Connection. Great stuff!

Dennis Mannion, former president and CEO of the
Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Pistons

There are many excellent books on leadership, communication, and relationships that offer all kinds of tips on how to get along with others, but this book goes deeper. Michael Gelb guides us to discover the surprising connections between our relationship skills and our happiness, health, and effectiveness, both professionally and personally. He illuminates the essential inner work we all must do if we want to thrive as conscious, compassionate leaders, but he manages to deal with these profound issues in a way that is fun, engaging, and, not surprisingly, creative!

Karen Page, former chair of the Harvard Business School
Alumnae Association, two-time winner of the James Beard Award,
and author of The Flavor Bible and Kitchen Creativity

An important book on an essential topic. I appreciate Gelbs blend of storytelling, practical lessons, and cutting-edge science. Connection may be the most important skill for leaders, and for all humans, to embrace and cultivate.

Marc Lesser, author of Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less

Many people have a belief in, and perhaps even a feel for, the interconnectedness of life but find it challenging to walk the talk by applying that to their relationships, both at work and at home. In this enlightening, urgently needed, and wonderfully entertaining book, Michael Gelb creatively bridges the gap between our natural intuitive wisdom and the application of such into our everyday lives. By learning the seven life-changing skills shared in The Art of Connection, readers can begin to develop powerful habits that raise their core energy. The result? Positive, mutually supportive, and highly conscious relationships. A must-read for coaches and leaders at all levels, as well as for anyone who wants to take their personal connections with others to the next level.

Bruce D Schneider, founder of iPEC Coaching and author of Energy
Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life from the Core

Michael Gelb is a genius at helping others discover and express their creative potential. Now, in this precious, profound book, he guides us to develop the skills of emotional, spiritual, and practical intelligence that we all need to translate creative ideas into action.

Tony Buzan, originator of Mind Mapping

Truly a brilliant book! I have continually witnessed the ways in which camaraderie and connection allow a workplace and its surrounding community to thrive. Communication is leadership. In The Art of Connection, Gelb brilliantly instructs us how to communicate in a compassionate and genuine manner in order to build relationships that allow us and those around us to flourish. The book is an ideal guide for conscious leaders or any individuals aiming to improve their relationships with others, and, by doing so, more positively impact the world.

Kip Tindell, former CEO and co-chairman of The Container Store

Michael Gelb is the premier voice on creativity for the coaching profession. And, as he explains in this fabulous new book, the most powerful catalyst for inspiring creative breakthroughs and translating those breakthroughs into sustainable innovations is to connect with other people first, before trying to solve a problem. In these pages he lays out a clear and practical path for cultivating the relationship-building skills that everyone needs now!

Dr. Marcia Reynolds, past president of ICF Global Board and
author of The Discomfort Zone

Also by Michael J. Gelb

Body Learning

Present Yourself!

Thinking for a Change

Samurai Chess (with Grandmaster Raymond Keene)

How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci

The How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci Workbook and Notebook

Discover Your Genius

Five Keys to High Performance

Da Vinci Decoded

Innovate like Edison (with Sarah Miller Caldicott)

Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking

Brain Power (with Kelly Howell)

Creativity on Demand

Copyright 2017 by Michael J. Gelb

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended solely for education. No expressed or implied guarantee of the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given or liability taken. The book presents mental and physical exercise information that may or may not be right for you. It is not meant to take the place of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified therapist or medical practitioner. The publisher and the author expressly disclaim any responsibility for any loss or risk incurred as a consequence of the application of the contents of this book.

Some of the ideas, examples, and exercises in this book appeared in different forms in Thinking for a Change and other works by the author. They are reframed and contextualized here to be most useful and relevant to our present circumstances.

Text design by Megan Colman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gelb, Michael J., author.

Title: The art of connection : 7 relationship-building skills every leader needs now / Michael J. Gelb.

Description: Novato, California : New World Library, [2017] | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017018861 (print) | LCCN 2017033271 (ebook) | ISBN 9781608684502 (Ebook) | ISBN 9781608684496 (alk. paper)