n Dowling
Work with Me
I cannot remember the last time I read a book, each and every word, from start to finish in one sitting. This is that book. There are so many useful and reflective insights, tips and exercises, that I am now going back to page one to read it all again.
Simon is amazing at what he does, and this book is like having all his wisdom in your pocket. Work with Me is absolutely full of brilliant advice that will guide you to true collaboration.
True leadership is not to be found in the best ideas or the most thorough preparation but in our capacity to drive influence, to build buy-in, to create a sense of willing participation in enthusiastic followers. Work with Me is an invitation to all of us to be more engaging leaders.
Simon has worked with our leadership team during periods of transformative change. His approach is a rare and powerful combination of practical, authentic and creative, and he has a true skill in coaching leaders to focus on what is really important as they lead their teams through change. Simon knows how to engage and influence, while keeping a razor sharp focus on accountability and outcomes. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to step up in their career and have more impact and influence, as Simon knows what gets results.
If you want your ideas to get traction, you should read Work with Me. You will thank Simon for deconstructing the proven approaches for achieving buy in and bestowing you with a handy set of influencing super powers.
Building advocacy is the big idea of collaboration. It's beyond motivation, it's bigger than inspiration and takes way more than communication. Work with Me is the book we all need in the decade of disruption.
In today's business environment, buy-in skills are more critical than ever to ensure our people are engaged and heading in the same direction. Simon Dowling's Work with Me provides a clear, common sense and highly readable guide on ‘how to build genuine buy-in’ that is suitable for staff at all levels.
Simon presents his ideas in clear and practical ways. This book is full of useful tips for every aspiring leader looking to improve effectiveness and be a catalyst for change. Simon encourages self-reflection to instill learnings and create permanent and positive behavioural change. A must read for all leaders.
In this magnificently practical book, Simon Dowling unpacks the science of collaboration and makes it an art. Read this to unlock profound new savviness in your quest to build buy-in.
Work with Me is a practical but comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to help their team succeed. Simon's holistic, authentic approach to workplace communication will unlock the potential of your workforce.
Simon Dowling has been instrumental in helping us build high performing leadership teams. His approach is practical, and centered around the fundamental themes of collaboration, relationships and transparency. If you have any aspiration around implementing strategy, driving change or getting any idea off the ground, then you need people to buy-in. If you want to know how to make this happen, and why it really matters, then you need to read this book!
Collaboration hinges on people's ability to reach out and work with one another – regardless of role title and rank. Simon has written the quintessential guide for doing just that. Not only does Work with Me provide us with a rich set of ideas and practical tips for building genuine buy-in, it rallies us all to foster a culture where buy-in is the norm. Organisations that get this bit right are destined to win the long-term game. Work with Me is a must read for anyone wanting to achieve success in an uncertain future.
Work with Me
How to get people to buy into your ideas
SIMON DOWLING
First published in 2016 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064
Office also in Melbourne
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© 2engage Pty Ltd 2016
The moral rights of the author have been asserted
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
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Cover design by Wiley
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Internal artwork by Linden Duck
Disclaimer
The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.
About the author
Simon Dowling is a leading thinker on creating collaborative teams and workplaces.
His passion for team dynamics started when he led a double life: during the day he was a commercial lawyer in a big city firm and at night he was a performer in improvised comedy shows, including the hit TV show Thank God You're Here. The contrast between these two worlds was what spurred him to go it alone in his own practice so he could help others pair the technical skills of negotiating agreement with a sense of play, engagement and, most importantly, action!
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Simon now works with senior leaders and their teams as a mentor and coach, and is a highly sought-after national speaker. His clients are like a variety show bag, ranging from funky start-ups and tech companies to banks, government agencies, educational institutions and elite sporting clubs.
Simon continues to admire the way a great improvisation company can come together and create compelling scenes and stories for its audiences without a hint of a script – the essence of true collaboration.
When not working with people or presenting at conferences, Simon can be found hanging out at one of Melbourne's many cafés and coffee hotspots, or at the beach with his family, assessing the surf conditions (waiting for the perfect wave, of course).
simondowling.com.au