Real stories from a real leader to real people about what really matters.
Real stories from a real leader to real people about what really matters.
Business development, Leadership, Meetings & presentations
Virgin’s Richard Branson, Zappos’ Tony Hsieh, and Tesla’s Elon Musk, apart from their obvious success, all share another thing in common. Each utilizes storytelling to maximize their effectiveness as leaders. Many of the most influential leaders of our and all time, including arguably the most influential leader in history, used storytelling whenever they had a particularly important point to make.
Encouraged by these influences, a father who was a known storyteller and a Nigerian priest who used stories to bridge a language barrier, author, and successful businessperson, Phillip Kane used stories each Friday throughout his career to help business associates relate to key issues facing the organizations he had the privilege to lead. These weekly letters had less to do with what was going on in the business than how people thought about what was going on in the business. By helping shift and align his teams’ point of view, Kane and the teams he led were able to accomplish more and win more often. All because of the stories he told.
Many of them are assembled here in one place for the first time. Organized around key themes like encouragement, trust, and gratitude, Kane also provides additional insights for existing or aspiring leaders looking for a different, better way to appeal to those who should be following them.
Featured twice in Kouzes’ & Posner’s, The Leadership Challenge (Wiley), first-time author, Phillip Kane’s storytelling technique and the leadership lessons he imparts are key for any leader seeking to create winning teams built on a fundamental foundation of caring and service to others.
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
In this 293-page book, his subtitled Letters on Leadership are just that, a collective of first-hand, real-life outreaches within his own personal experiences that culminate in sturdy prose brought together to elegantly provide those inquiring about formulating a principle-based leadership model of their own. As we soon learn early on in the book, Kane explains that winning within the marketplace is completely compatible with, and even at times solely dependent on, caring about others (both personally and professionally). Trust me when I say that this book can and will provide the reader, and one who takes on board everything said and follows the guidelines to perfection, with the tools to formulate a better and more focused way to lead a team and progress successfully onward. As the author himself freely admits, There’s no education in a second kick from a mule, so please allow this book’s teachings to not only generously waft around your mind but hopefully permeate and, therefore, soon thereafter, open up a whole new way for you to approach leadership, and, of course, your work colleagues as a whole. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=356 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review
Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, extraordinary in organization and presentation, "The Not So Subtle Art of Caring: Letters on Leadership" will have a special and particular appeal for anyone charged with a leadership role or assigned to a meeting presentation in their business and/or their community. ~ Paul T. Vogel, Midwest Book Review
"I have had the opportunity to see firsthand, and I hope contribute to, Phillip Kane’s caring leadership style. His book, Letters on Leadership, is a primer for delivering extraordinary results while putting others first. This very unique and real-life account of business successes offers those in search of a better way to lead a simple and proven way to win." ~ Brett Ponton, Chief Executive Officer, Terminix
Organizations are no more than collectives of individuals. Why, then, should we be surprised that the same thing that moves, nurtures, and inspires individuals – an open and caring heart - also works at the organizational level? Through lived experiences, illustrative stories, and a principle-based leadership model, Phillip Kane makes a compelling case that “winning” in the marketplace is completely compatible with, and even dependent upon, caring about others. This is a timely and much-needed addition to the leadership literature. ~ Dr. Sarah Gardial, Dean, Jack C. Massey College of Business, Belmont University
Having had a front row seat to many of the stories contained in Phillip Kane’s new book, The Not So Subtle Art of Caring: Letters on Leadership, I saw firsthand that focusing on winning AND caring for others can deliver extraordinary results. This book is important reading for anyone searching for a different, better way to lead others. Thomas J. Caracciolo Managing Partner Dubin Clark & Company ~ Thomas J. Caracciolo, Dubin Clark & Company
" Phillip's very personal approach, in utilizing letters sent to his teams over many years, provides deep insights into the artistry demanded of a more caring leader who commits to deliver outstanding results." ~ Robert J. Keegan, Former Chairman & CEO, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
“I’ve been studying leadership since I was a patrol leader in Boy Scouts. This book has it all; lots of real-life examples by a trailblazer in the business, validated by hundreds of specific references from notable authors. It will benefit leaders at any level. I plan to use The Not So Subtle Art of Caring in my leadership workshops” ~ Captain J. Charles "Charlie" Plumb U.S.Navy (Ret.), Decorated Naval Aviator and Prisoner of War
"No leadership book is more needed for today’s world than Phillip Kane’s The Not So Subtle Art of Caring: Letters on Leadership. It’s time for CEO’s, organizational leaders and boards to understand that kindness does not equal weakness. Phillip engages readers with story after inspirational story from over thirty years of transforming organizations; masterfully illustrating that leaders who value the well-being of their people are trusted and consistently deliver results. This is GOOD reading not only for how to lead, but also for how to live." – Kris Wittenberg, founder of Be Good to People®️, BeGoodtoPeople.com ~ Kris Wittenberg, Founder of Be Good to People®️, BeGoodtoPeople.com
I have always appreciated that Philip practices what he preaches. He delivers results with a servant leadership approach to unlock the power and capability of his people through engagement, enablement and empowerment. The Not So Subtle Art of Caring offers a great lesson for leaders looking to do just that. ~ Greg Smith, Executive Vice President, Global Operations & Supply Chain, Medtronics
With Letters on Leadership Phillip Kane masters to describe the key to leadership: To be dedicated to what you do and to care about what you do both for the business and, most important, not to forget the people involved. Caring about your people is the key. ~ Martin Pedersen, CEO/Owner at JP Group a/s, Denmark
“Storytelling has been a part of Phillip Kane’s life since he was a kid, and he carried over the family tradition into his business life. When you can write or tell a story about someone with whom your listeners can identify, they are much more likely to see themselves doing the same thing. People seldom tire of hearing stories about themselves and the people they know. These stories get repeated, and the lessons of the stories spread far and wide. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, The Leadership Challenge: How Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations” ~ James Kouzes and Barry Posner, Authors of The Leadership Challenge (Wiley)
Having read my share of leadership books, Kane does a wonderful job of sharing some very practical lessons on how to care about your people. Afterall, no matter how much you know, your team won’t even begin to listen and follow until they know that you care. This book is required reading for new and seasoned leaders. Craige Stout CEO, Stout ~ Craige Stout, CEO, Stout Risius Ross, Advisors LLC
"This thoughtful and experienced-based leadership book is based on weekly management letters that Mr. Kane sent to his staff during his long career as a C-suite leader and manager in corporate America. His letters highlight weekly outcomes and discuss how their results reflect one of the dozen qualities of the Not So Subtle Leader that form the core of his book. Mr. Kane’s book provides a refreshing presentation of key factors leading to successful teams and has enormous value for new managers as well as for those who have been doing things the same way for a long time." ~ Robert A. “Bob” Kulinski, President, United Way of Summit County, Ohio (Retired)
