1st Edition

Leadership Finding balance between ambition and acceptance

By Joan Marques Copyright 2016
    264 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    264 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Leadership argues that finding satisfaction and sanity at work requires the development of both ambition and acceptance. While these traits seem to be at odds with one another, Marques shows that each one has positive and negative elements and the trick is balancing the useful aspects of each to maximize success.

    The book defines this balance and its relationship to success, featuring real-world examples, useful diagrams, and cases to encourage students to reflect on how to apply these principles to their own lives. Laying the foundation for understanding the need to develop both ambition and acceptance, and providing the context for what performance means in modern times, Marques presents a framework for growing in one’s own career. Students learn how to evaluate competing impulses, and how to make critical decisions to define career success.

    Students of career development, leadership and organizational behavior classes will appreciate its grounded, engaging writing style.

    1. What Makes Today Different from Yesterday 2. The Pivots of our Times 3. Ambition: The Inevitable Quality in Getting Ahead 4. Where Ambition goes Awry 5. Acceptance: The Beacon of Sanity 6. Where Acceptance can become a Problem 7. Defining Success 8. Acceptance Guiding Ambition 9. Ambition Guiding Acceptance 10. Finding and Maintaining Your Personal Balance

    Biography

    Joan Marques serves as director of the BBA program and is Professor of Management at Woodbury University, USA. She has published in the Journal of Business Ethics, the Journal of Management Development, and Business and Society, and has authored or co-authored nine books on management and leadership topics.

    ‘Ambition and acceptance: each concept can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how we utilize them. Ambition can drive us to the top, but also over the edge. Acceptance can keep us calm, but also make us lethargic. Maintain a sensible balance. Read this book!’ - Ian I. Mitroff, University of California, Berkeley, USA

    ‘In today’s world, where people, places, processes, performances and perspectives change continuously, it is critical to find our balance between ambition, the skill that drives us forth, and acceptance, the quality that keeps us sane. By writing this book, Joan Marques has given us some useful thoughts and instruments to work with in our efforts to achieve real success.’ -Birute Regine, Plexus Institute, US

    ‘Leadership remains a fascinating topic because it is dynamic, identifiable, yet unique for each of us. Finding a rewarding middle path between ambition and acceptance is critical in leading ourselves and others responsibly. This book sets us on the path towards our personal equilibrium. Let’s take serious note of it!’- Frederick T. Evers, PhD, University of Guelph, Canada