Earlier in my career, I worked as chief speechwriter for the governor of New Jersey. I remember one of the governor’s senior staff members, a man I liked, succinctly described to me the secret to his good rapport with the Governor: “I know when to put my head up, and when to put my head down.” I was reminded of this advice when I read the new book, Influencing Powerful People, written by executive coach and management consultant Dirk Schlimm.
Schlimm analyzes the careers of business titans, such as Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple and Rupert Murdoch of Fox, as well as the people behind them who were skilled in the art of handling tough bosses. And Schlimm rejects trendy management ideas in favor of a realpolitik approach to wielding influence. For Schlimm, the skills that will allow you to keep up, have influence, and perhaps some day become a worthy power player of your own–are not about self-promotion, or flash-in-the-pan management theories. CONTINUE READING…
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