Moxie For Managers by Ann Tardy - Book review

Moxie for Managers

The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader

By: Ann Tardy

Published: July 2, 2011
Format: Paperback, 354 pages
ISBN-10: 0979585716
ISBN-13: 978-0979585715
Publisher: Fish Head Publishing












"Mediocre managers operate as if people have jobs only to serve managers. Moxie leaders, on the other hand, operate as if their job is to serve other people", writes thought leader, Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie, Ann Tardy, in her transformational and inspiring book Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader. The author describes how instead of underestimating themselves and their staff members, middle leaders should take the initiative to influence real change within the organization, and shares the techniques for moving from manager to leader.

Ann Tardy recognizes the importance of changing the mindset of the leader and of the staff to achieve peak performance. The author encourages changing the labeling of the middle manager to that of middle leader. While manager is simply descriptive of a position on an organizational chart, a leader demonstrates their commitment and motivation from within. When the person changes their outlook from one of manager, to one of leader, they are ready to influence and facilitate real change within the organization. Ann Tardy demonstrates how to make the transition, from the limiting mindset of a middle manager, to the empowered and and revolutionary moxie mindset of a middle leader.



Ann Tardy (photo left) understands that potential leaders very often underestimate their own abilities, including their capacity to instigate change. At the same time, managers lack confidence in the abilities and potential of their staff members. They are satisfied with mediocre results, and expect little more from themselves or their employees. Ann Tardy challenges leaders to end this limiting view of people, and replace it with a vision to achieve extraordinary results. The author points out that potential leaders believe incorrectly that they lack any real power to influence change, or to motivate people beyond their very average performance.

Ann Tardy shares the strategies to change this counterproductive mode of thinking, and replace it with her ten influencing tenets of moxie. The ten tenets are as follows:

* We believe we are the center of our own worlds
* We seek meaning in our work and lives
* We want to make a difference
* We all want to win; and be seen as winners
* We want control over events and our lives
* We want to feel as if we are important
* We want to be respected, appreciated, valued, and heard
* We all risk becoming part of the mediocre herd
* We let our thoughts and beliefs dictate our ambition
* We all fear rejection

Foe me, the power of the book is how An Tardy combines her concept of moxie based management with the the actionable strategies for achieving peak performance. The author provides the powerful catalyst of changing one's mindset from middle manager to middle leader. Instead of simply managing the plans of others, Ann Tardy encourages the iconoclastic behavior of influencing and enacting change in the behavior and outlook of everyone, including the leaders themselves.

Ann Tardy guides leaders, toward goals they never before imagined achieving, through a deeper understanding of people's emotions, fears, hopes, and needs. Through this richer understanding of people's true motivations, and also the reasons they may resist change, the moxie leader is able to not only overcome resistance, but create the conditions where change and innovation are embraced. Ann Tardy shows leaders how anyone can cause meaningful and productive change through a change in their own mindset of expectations of themselves and others.

I highly recommend the mindset altering and top performance creating book Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader by Ann Tardy, to any leaders seeking a practical and hands on guide to achieving outstanding results in any organization. This book will help you make the personal transformation from middle manager to that of highly effective leader with moxie.

Tags: Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader, Ann Tardy, advanced leadership techniques, business book reviews.