4D leadership, competitive advantage through vertical leadership development. (2015)

“… few people develop their intellectual capabilities beyond (their level) as teenagers. This, is why we see so many power battles at the top of companies, “toys out of the pram” episodes, tantrums (and) bullying …”

Dr Alan Watkins, founder/chief executive of Complete Coherence
Publisher: Kogan Press

From a review by Frank Dillon, The Irish Times, 18 January 2016:

“The need for authentic leadership has been a recurring theme of management books lately. Powerful authentic leaders, it is now widely accepted, bring a wider sense of themselves to the workplace and can inspire those around them.

“This book suggests taking this to a higher level. Author Dr Alan Watkins … works from a model developed by philosopher Ken Wilber, which organises the entire human experience into three dimensions: the objective, the subjective and the interpersonal.

“…Exceptional leaders understand and move between all three dimensions, developing vertically in each, becoming the “4D leaders” of the book’s title. Unfortunately very few people develop their intellectual capabilities beyond the level of where they were as teenagers.

“This, the author says, is why we see so many power battles at the top of companies, “toys out of the pram” episodes, tantrums, bullying and all manner of activities that are more suitable to the playground than the corporate boardroom.

“… Watkins says relationships are increasingly important at the senior levels of business. It’s as if the rules of the game that elevated leaders up the corporate ladder, ie high technical skills and low people focus, have become inverted on entry to the C-suite. It can come as a nasty shock to many to realise that they are not equipped for the demands of people leadership.”

Purchase the book here: 4D leadership

Read the review here: 4D Leadership by Dr Alan Watkins