Radicle Growth

This book is for middle managers and VPs who are ambitious and focused on growth (growth of their careers and also the team they lead and the company they work for). What they need are the ingredients of growth - the tools, strategies, and methods that lead to a paradigm shift. They are typically already masters of the technical knowledge of their jobs, but struggle with how to lead and influence people and how to communicate effectively. This book is focused on giving them the tools to solve those problems and drive radical growth. The book will give them the specific techniques and tools to lead up, lead down, and lead across. It will show them methods proven to work and explain the mechanics of good coaching. The big tool in the toolbox is learning the art of strategic questions as the key to influence and growth. One foundational concept is to first grasp what true growth looks like. Using an analogy of a fully grown plant versus a seed in dirt, show the reader that in the initial stages you can’t always see growth above the surface. When they get this concept, it can create a shift of thinking and open them up to seeing growth in a new way. Then we dive into the concepts. Dave’s company (The Rumin8 Group) has developed a program called “Radical Growth,” and we are using the general structure of it as a way to order the ideas of the book. (At least initially - we will continue thinking that through as we create the Roadmap). Here is a very high-level summary of the concepts taught in the Radical Growth program that will be integral to the ideas taught in the book: Introduce the overall theory of coaching and contrast it with the traditional forms of coaching (traditional is often a one-way conversation, “I’m the subject matter expert, here’s what you need to do.”). This book will show how to create the right environment to have true two-way conversations and how Socratic-driven questioning is the key.  As we set the reader up for their journey, we’ll also cover “see it, do it, get it” and “Observe, Assess, Agree.” Another crucial concept is the interrelation between Consistency, Discipline, and Standards, and how sustained growth will never happen without them. There is a cadence to this that is important for maintaining growth over time.  Then we start diving deeper into the nuts and bolts of how you do this. First, is Discovery, which is kind of like dumping a puzzle out of the box and looking at what you have. It’s also about learning the art of digging deeper and discovering how to ask questions in a linear fashion. Next comes Self-awareness. The reader will learn what they need to do to create different conversations that lead to real communication and change. Then comes Focus. To continue the puzzle analogy, this is where you start to build the border of the puzzle. You have to start somewhere, and “you can only land one plane at a time.” This step helps them figure out the priority of which plane to land first. After that, we cover Commitment. This is about learning to make these “ingredients for growth” a habit. Using things like SMART goals, scorecards, learning to prioritize systematically, etc. Once you get this ingrained, it becomes your underlying philosophy and the basis for your actions. Then Follow up as the final stage linking the process together and the next meeting. The reader will be given the visual of a link of chains to assist in grasping this. Each conversation is a circle, and to truly lead and spur forward growth, you need to see the next meeting as linking from the previous one.  Next, we outline scenarios, including ones that are a bit more tricky. One thing that can happen is that people are so amazed by the power of these tools, they can start to get a little complacent about how they are used. The importance of staying humble and staying focused on problem solving will be emphasized. (A great coach is a great problem solver). Some other important themes and topics for the book: –Your emotional side and your logical side and how they factor into your ability to implement these concepts. –How to “let silence solve the puzzle.” –”If you want to achieve something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.” –The importance of growing your own replacement if you want to get to the next level. –The art of listening (“Listen or your tongue will make you deaf.”). –We will cover what it means to be an executive who leads leaders, especially learning the co-creation process. As a leader of leaders, you don’t solely own the strategy. Leadership Based Questions