What To Ask the Person in the Mirror

In this guide to developing and honing leadership skills, Kaplan (management practice, Harvard Business School; cochairman, Draper Richards Kaplan Fdn.; former vice chairman, Goldman Sachs) explains, "the critical premise of this book is that by knowing how and when to ask critical questions, a young professional as well as a senior leader can take greater ownership of his or her organization and career." He focuses on seven basic areas for inquiry and self-evaluation: "Vision and Priorities," "Managing Your Time," "Giving and Getting Feedback," "Succession Planning and Delegation," "Evaluation and Alignment," "The Leader as Role Model," and "Reaching Your Potential." In a final chapter, he discusses ways to make inquiry and self-evaluation a regular part of leadership activities. In the chapter on time management, appropriate questions to ask include, "Do I know how I spend my time?" and "Does it match my key priorities?" Kaplan follows these questions by analyzing the importance of effective time-management strategies and the establishment of priorities. Each chapter includes case studies and a list of suggested follow-up steps.