Positive Influence: How to Lead Your World

Leaders do not just play a role - they create a better future. Great leaders have learned the value of influence rather than control as a leadership model. This is a resource for leaders as they develop, those at a crossroads, and those in crisis. It is an excellent guide for human resource and talent management in a company or organization to assist in hiring and developing their leaders.

Grant D. Fairley is an executive coach and seminar speaker with three decades of experience who takes the reader through the big ideas of being an influential leader. Working with major corporations, governments, educators, and community groups, Grant guides those individuals and teams where conflict destroys the workplace to a fresh start. Leaders and teams are renewed through a better understanding of self and those they serve. Individuals are encouraged to see their story differently. The result is effective leadership and productive teams who take on their challenges with energy and commitment. In his executive coaching sessions, Grant takes leaders on a journey through the big ideas of leadership. This book is a professional development tool for leaders at any career stage.

Whether it is the leader who is excellent on task but needs more people skills or the newly promoted leader, Positive Influence will help. Grant's leadership seminars and coaching are designed to develop effective, sustainable, and renewable leaders. To be effective as a leader, a person has to be able to apply what is needed when it is necessary to the opportunity they have to be the leader. Sustainable leadership means that a person is not a flash in the pan or can only lead for a short term before effectiveness fades. Instead, with a whole-person focus, they will also understand how to sprint and run the leadership marathon. Renewable leaders can understand how to continue to learn and grow rather than become stuck in an inflexible method or mindset.

Leadership has many styles and forms. Organizations thrive or wither depending on the quality and style of their leaders. Positive Influence goes beyond the do's and don'ts of leadership to explore a whole-person approach to being a leader. This book celebrates those willing to take on leadership challenges at any level of business or life. It is written to empower leaders to serve their teams and customers while creating a great personal story. This book is a resource for executive coaches.

Chapter Titles

• A Positive Influence
• A Center of Influence
• Following the Leader
• Who Am I?
• Conductors and Captains
• Exploring the Wilderness
• What Time Is It?
• The Red Mist
• Finding Your Center
• The Situation Room
• Investing in You
• Sprints and Marathons
• The Real Deal
• The Return of the King
• The Heart of the Leader
• Decisions
• I Doubt It!
• Creating Your Biography
• Oranges and Bananas
• Pen or Pencil
• Arts and Sciences
• The Lighthouse and the Leader
• Who Are They?
• Your Inheritance
• Boo!
• Shots Fired
• Shooting the Rapids
• Hail to the Chiefs
• Did You Bring the Playbook?
• Positive Persuasion
• Bridges
• On the Boil and On the Wobble
• Knowing Your Motto
• Firefighting
• Sitting on the Bench
• The One and the Many
• Cheers
• On a Swing or On Fire?
• Playing a Friendly
• Check, Please!
• The Power to Forgive
• Breaking the Ice
• Tell Me a Story
• Stage Coach
• Magic Wands and Magic Lamps
• Robes and Crowns
• The Human Condition
• 3-D Leaders
• Exit Stage Right
• It’s Been an Honor
• Developing Old Friends
• Sail On
• The Executive Coach
• Choosing an Executive Coach
• Speak to Be Heard

Grant D. Fairley is an executive coach and inspirational speaker with Strategic Seminars. His coaching and seminars cover a wide range of topics, including leadership, finance, team building, sales training, relationships, personal development, motivation, conflict management and more. He serves corporate and government leaders, lawyers, physicians, senior sales professionals, and educators to enhance and develop their careers and personal effectiveness. Grant is a graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

Over the years, he has had a liberal arts life, with a range of leadership, education, and consulting activities. Teaching, writing, and encouraging others are common threads in the many roles. In addition to writing books, he is the co-author of a number of patents relating to technology and healthcare.

His book, "Look Up – Way Up! The Friendly Giant" is the biography of televisions beloved Robert Homme."Up to the Cottage – Memories of Muskoka" tells the tales of the charm of an old family cottage in the 1900s and the love of cottage life. He co-authored with his friend and colleague, Michael H. Lanthier, "Own Your Future – Wisdom for Wealth and a Better Tomorrow." It introduces readers to the big ideas of personal investment and career planning. "Your Third Act - A Guide to a Great Retirement" is co-authored with geriatric psychiatrist and friend, Dr. Bill Cook. The book explores preparing yourself for the opportunities and challenges of retirement. It also guides those in retirement to have an enjoyable and meaningful life. Grant and Dr. Cook collaborate again in their newest book on compassion fatigue, "Discover Your Oasis - Escape Compassion Fatigue" supporting those caregivers in the helping professions, healthcare, education, ministry, government, and emergency services.