The Power of Framing: Creating the Language of Leadership

For most of us, our lives are filled to capacity; so much so that we do not devote the time necessary to grow. It is easy to get caught up in one's life and forget one's purpose."The Power of Framing" points out several useful interpersonal communications tools. For example, a simple question, "Tell me about yourself", could open many doors ...or shut them, fast and tight. To answer that or any important question and to be fair to yourself, it is important to anticipate the question and prime yourself with an answer that is spontaneous, automatic, and strategic to your goals.Imagine that you have been stranded, stumbling alone without resources, through a stifling hot desert. You see an old pitcher pump and realize your good fortune, to finally be able to quench your thirst! But the pump has not been used in a while. You start pumping ...and you pump a lot ...and it's hard. But you know that priming the pump will bring the water out. At first, what comes out may be gunk. Keep at it, though, and before long the cold, fresh water encased underground flows to the surface!In a way, we are all stranded, stumbling alone through life. Yet we are fortunate to be living at the most prosperous, bountiful time in the history of humankind. Each one of us has the potential to reach our goals but, truthfully, it is rare for someone to stumble onto an oasis. Most of us have to think about life's questions, and about our answers, if we are to be successful. Most of us need to prime ...to survive, to thrive, and to help others do the same. This is priming; one technique covered in "The Power of Framing".I was also struck to consider government as a "high reliability organization" (HRO), typically more concerned with preventing failure and maximizing reliability, than promoting success and realizing efficiency. Today, as fiscal woes loom, it may be time to frame our problems and solutions a little differently.This is a book worth reading because it reminds us that framing is worth doing. Sometimes, when we face seemingly insurmountable problems, taking the time to look at it a little differently, handle it a little better, is well worth the investment. What is the outcome you desire?

Gail Fairhurst gender bias comments in chapter 3 cause the reader to associate that mistakes and blunders in communication are limited to males. Fairhurst's' writing impresses upon the reader that when a mistake occurs in communication from a man, it occurred because the male is an alpha male. (left unchecked, this causes people to think that when a male makes a mistake its because he is an alpha male. the term alpha male implies negative traits in the workplace)Gail Fairhust again emphasizes her gender bias in the case study where George is angry and went psycho and expands on this trend with examples of Ted Turner, George W. Bush and Joe Biden. As an author, Gail should find balance in the examples she selects when emphasizing her main points.As leaders, we need to be diligent and aware of implicit bias (attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner). Sandy, Gail Fairhurst is not aware of the gender bias displayed within this textbook.

School book - concepts clearly explained

The overall concepts CAN be useful, but this was necessary to buy for a college class and it just rewords simple concepts. It seems to complicate those simple concepts more than necessary, too.

This really is a good book - has the theories you'll need to master if you're in leadership or communication positions or classes. I'd buy it again, and it's a keeper.

This book was for a masters class. The book came in great shape but the content is as dry as a text book

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Framing-Creating-Language-Leadership/dp/0470494522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529429202&sr=8-1&keywords=power+of+framing

This is a must read for all managers and would be leaders in learning the basics of leadership competencies. Bravo