Today brings the
fourth edition of Leadership and Self-Deception, by The Arbinger Institute. Previous editions during the past two decades have
inspired readers and taught them that to effectively lead our teams, careers,
and relationships we must be honest with ourselves about who we are and what
motivates us.
The book will
show you how to identify self-deception and reverse its impact on
personal and professional relationships—a critical skill in our polarizing
times. The new edition of the book applies fresh insights into timeless
concepts with a broader, more diverse set of characters.
Self-deception
is the action or practice of allowing oneself to believe that a false or
unvalidated feeling, idea, or situation is true.
“Self-deception
is the most debilitating of organizational issues. This is because problems cannot
be solved if the people responsible for the problems remain resistant to the possibility
that they may need to change,” according to The Arbinger Institute.
Self-deception can inhibit your effectiveness and degrade your
leadership. For example, as explained by TEDx speaker, Gregg Vanourek, self-deception
can:
- Limit your
growth and potential since you are not facing up to your weaknesses. - Prevent you
from seeing beyond your own opinions and priorities. - Lead to
unethical decisions and behaviors, including justifying poor behavior, such as
intimidation, harassment, or bullying. - Inhibit your
leadership effectiveness and thus organizational productivity. - Lead to crises
because you are in denial about problems and your own role in them.
Told through an
engaging story that everyone can relate to, Leadership and Self-Deception,
will show you:
- How to identify
self-deception in your career, company, or community. - How
self-deception can blind us to our true motivations and sabotage our outcomes. - How an Outward Mindset can transform your personal and professional outlook.
“Once we see
ourselves clearly, we can navigate complex human interactions and transform to
create positive change,” explains The Arbinger Institute.
Today, The
Arbinger Institute shares these insights with us:
Question: Why
do you think the book has resonated so well with readers since the original
edition was published in 2000?
The Arbinger
Institute: Would you brave a look into a mirror that exposed your worst
behaviors but offered a path for transformation? Leadership and
Self-Deception is that mirror! This book has connected with audiences for
decades because it invites readers to examine their motivations and
perspectives, serving as a timeless resource for anyone looking to improve
their leadership skills and interpersonal connections.
Question: Why
is the book's storytelling approach so effective?
The Arbinger
Institute: This narrative uses real-life examples and relatable characters
inside a fictional, easy-to-read narrative to fearlessly expose the ways we
deceive ourselves. In short, it shines a spotlight on our blind spots. Using
relatable stories, it reveals how self-deception hinders our success. But it's
not just about exposing problems; it offers practical solutions. The book
equips readers with tools to overcome self-deception, build stronger
connections, and lead in a way that others want to follow.
Question: Tell
us more about the benefits of participating in the Arbinger Book Club.
The Arbinger
Institute: The Arbinger Book Club is your chance to connect with fellow
readers and delve deeper into Leadership and Self-Deception’s applicable
concepts and approaches that will change the way you live and lead. It's an
opportunity to learn from others, challenge your own thinking, and gain a
deeper understanding of how to create positive change in your personal and
professional life. Join us for stimulating discussions, shared learning, and a
supportive community of like-minded individuals.
___
The Arbinger
Institute is an international training, consulting, and coaching firm that
specializes in conflict resolution and peacemaking—whether in families, in organizations,
or between communities or nations.
Thank you to
the book’s publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.
