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What can businesspeople discover about leadership from foul-mouthed, fictional mob boss Tony Soprano? A lot – according to Deborrah Himsel, Avon's Vice President for Organizational Effectiveness. Himsel has used Tony-like techniques in her own workplace interactions as well as in training others. In her new book, LEADERSHIP SOPRANOS STYLE: How to Become a More Effective Boss (Dearborn Trade Publishing, December 2003), she reveals the unexpected lessons managers can learn by studying Tony Soprano's style and adapting it to their own business environments.
While acknowledging Tony's weaknesses and of course advising against his illegal tactics, Himsel points out that his leadership skills – including the simple, clear, adaptive structure of his organization, his effective coaching, his techniques for conflict resolution, and his use of common bonding rituals – would be highly-prized in any workplace. "Organizations today require leaders who know how to get things done, who are skilled at cutting through red tape and at finding innovative solutions to complex problems," Himsel says. "This is one of Tony’s strengths."
In a remarkably easy-to-follow way, LEADERSHIP SOPRANOS STYLE addresses key issues all businesses face, such as business strategy, reporting structure, giving and receiving feedback, decision-making, and even how leaders can be more charismatic – all with the energy, spirit, and fun of the award-winning television program. Readers do not have to be viewers of the show to learn from and appreciate Tony’s tactics. For those unfamiliar with the main players, the book introduces Tony, Carmela, UncleJunior, Christopher, Dr. Melfi and the rest of the characters – describing their "corporate" roles in the Soprano organization.
Illustrated with dozens of stories, both from The Sopranos and from corporate America, LEADERSHIP SOPRANOS STYLE incorporates numerous leadership development exercises, including quizzes, checklists, and role-playing scenarios – such as the hilarious "What Would Tony Say: How to Put Tony’s Approach into Your Own Words." Among the other engaging tools are a quiz that helps readers assess whether the structure of their companies is adaptable, simple, and clear ("If you were trying to schedule a 'hit' on one of your competitors, how fast could you assemble and free the right team of people? Overnight, A week, A month?"), and a recap of the ten toughest choices Tony has had to make, accompanied by specific "lessons learned" to show how to apply his decision-making process to typical business issues.
Tony faces the same issues as any executive," Himsel writes. "His genius is in coming up with eminently implementable business plans designed to be put into motion by ordinary people." LEADERSHIP SOPRANOS STYLE provides the opportunity to look at a compelling fictional character through the lens of important leadership principles, and offers an innovative – and entertaining – way for all people in leadership positions to develop their skills and view their own organizations in a new light.
To hear an audio interview with the Author, Debbie Himsel, click here at www.eyeonbooks.com.
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