We've focused on the content of The ASTD Leadership Handbook: how to select topics, how to ensure its usefulness, and how to guarantee quality. Let's turn our attention toward the authors of The Handbook.
This Special Opportunity
What's it like to work with the gurus of our profession? Gosh, what can I say? Heady? Exhilarating? Humbling? Daunting? It is for sure all of these.
To discuss change with John Kotter in his office at Harvard Square; to question Dave Ulrich about "getting results"; to write a note to Jim Collins; to receive a phone call from Frances Hesselbein; to have Ken Blanchard say "yes" to writing a chapter about ethics and integrity; to catch Bill George between books; to receive the first chapter from Len Goodstein; or to have Jack Zenger respond to an email in less than 12 hours. All of these are electrifying moments of this project-and in my life!
I've started reviewing the work of these famous authors, and to say reading their chapters is stimulating is an understatement. Wait until you have an opportunity to read the final product!
Working With Gurus
How do you manage folks with more important things to do than write a chapter for your book? Jim Kouzes, Bev Kaye, Bill Byham, Cindy McCauley, VADM Lockard, and the other authors-these are busy people with others constantly tugging at them. You need to make it easy for them to give you what you need. Clear guidelines helps. Ensure that they are writing about their specialty. Make the job as easy as falling off a log. Don't ask them to do mundane tasks that publishing requires. Work with their administrative assistants whenever possible for something like turning color figures to black and white. When you receive a booklist with just the books' names, do the research yourself. Don't bother them with the details. Create and maintain a communication plan. Touch base regularly and provide information to them as they need it--not in lengthy guidance at the beginning.
How do you appeal to a guru's willingness to work on a project? Build pride in the project. You can do this by ensuring they know how much you want them to be a part of the handbook. For example, I can't imagine having a chapter about change without John Kotter being the author. Can you? I told him just that-and sincerely meant it.
In the end, how do you work with a guru group? I think three things are important:
Make it easy and fun.
AdvertisementDo the mundane for them.
Ensure that they are proud to be a part of the project.
In the end, editing this handbook is exciting. It is the best job anyone could have! I am honored and delighted to have such an exhilarating opportunity in my career.
Next Up: A Sneak Preview of the Table of Contents
