Description
Book SynopsisFrom the CEO of Umpqua Bank, the essential leadership practices that allowed the West Coast's largest independent community bank to emerge from the economic crisis even stronger than before.
Trade Review“Ray and his colleagues have remained true to their values, their belief system, their distinctive point of view about what their company could be and the role it could play in their customers’ lives. In a book filled with powerful insights, pragmatic takeaways, and colorful stories, this to me is Ray’s ultimate lesson, and one that applies in good times and tough times.”
—From the Foreword by William C. Taylor
“I’ve always believed that great leaders know when to stay the course, adjust, and reinvent. Ray Davis articulates this and much more in Leading Through Uncertainty, helping leaders understand the importance of outlining a vision and strategy. Ray’s smart and practical thoughts on leadership provide great insight, and leaders at all levels will benefit from reading this book.”
—John Chambers, chairman and CEO, Cisco
“Ray Davis understands the complexities of leading effectively regardless of the economic environment. The advice in Leading Through Uncertainty is excellent and will improve both your leadership skills and results.”
— Tim Boyle, president and CEO, Columbia Sportswear
“Ray Davis’s Leading Through Uncertainty is thoughtful, insightful, and—perhaps most importantly—fundamentally practical. For those who want to make a difference in their organization, this is a must-read.”
—Diana Oreck, vice president, Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center
“Not many companies can say they’ve emerged from the economic environment of the past few years stronger than they were before it began. Ray Davis can. In Leading Through Uncertainty, he shares the real-world insight and business practices that today’s leaders need to navigate the uncertainty and opportunity of the 21st century economy.”
—Gary Hamel, author, What Matters Now
“Ray Davis is that rare combination: a visionary with the straightforward voice of a pragmatist. He understands that today’s companies must be flexible, transparent, and customer-centric—and Leading Through Uncertainty provides a clear roadmap for anyone in a leadership position on how to get there.”
—Ed Herlihy, partner, Wachtell Lipton
Table of ContentsForeword by William C. Taylor ix
Introduction: The Great Uncertainty xiii
Part 1 Leading Yourself
Chapter 1: The New Normal 3
Chapter 2: The Truth, Nothing But the Truth 23
Chapter 3: Problems and the Healing Process 39
Chapter 4: Control and Uncertainty 51
Chapter 5: Exercise Your Intuition 65
Part 2 Leading Your Organization
Chapter 6: Be Really Good at the Basics 81
Chapter 7: The Value of a Value Proposition 91
Chapter 8: Be Available 103
Chapter 9: Motivate and Inspire 113
Chapter 10: Leverage Your Assets 125
Part 3 Leading the Way
Chapter 11: Reputation Counts 137
Chapter 12: Create Buzz (But Manage Crisis) 147
Chapter 13: Build Momentum 161
Chapter 14: Practice Incremental Evolution 171
Conclusion: Lead On 181
Notes 185
Acknowledgments 191
About the Authors 193
Index 195
