Jolt
‘Jolt upgrades you from “happy, safe and fine” to “extraordinary, fearless and outstanding”.An exciting, exhilarating, and empowering journey.’
Elizabeth L Kuhnke, Bestselling author, conference speaker and executive coach
‘Richard Tyler once told tone deaf me that everyone can learn to sing. I now know it to be true. In my case I also learned to play the music, handbuild the instrument from raw materials – my beautiful electric guitar – and write the song. Oh yes, and along the way I chose, aged 59, to move on from a successful career as an academic, a Surgeon and a Chief Executive and create my own independent business. Truly there are no limits; it just took a Jolt from Tyler to get started.’
Dr Mark Goldman, Surgeon, Former NHS Chief Executive and Director of the Goldman Partnership
‘Steve Jobs didn’t take Apple into the stratosphere by emulating IBM, but by thinking radically different. How we find those triggers and build on those key blocks to make us achieve extraordinary action is the mission of Jolt. Richard gives some building blocks where we can identify what we need to do to make step changes in our performance and that of others. High levels of success only come from stepping out of our comfort zone and taking on challenges that may ordinarily scare us, but learning how and where the markers are can help. Massive changes are not needed. If one of two parallel railways has a one degree shift, 50 miles later they are a mile apart. Keep one degree shifts emerging in your culture and dramatic change takes shape.’
Ian Dormer CDir FIoD Chairman, Institute of Directors
‘Are you up for the challenge? Through practical experiences, supported by evidence-based theories, Richard challenges assumptions and mental models. You can’t fail to be impressed by the simplification of robust theories and personal experience, which together help the reader define, or even redefine, who they are and who they want to be. Jolt is a great leadership journey… be open; be honest; be ambitious and you will be jolted.’
Theresa Nelson, Chief Officer for Workforce Development at Birmingham Children’s Hospital – Passionate about developing people and creating great organizations through leadership
‘As the speed of change accelerates, it is essential that bigger companies like BBC Worldwide continually shake up the accepted way of doing things. Jolting our thinking is no longer a luxury. It is essential for survival and growth.’
Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Worldwide
‘Irrespective of where you are in the pecking order, none of us can afford to sit back and become complacent. The current unprecedented pace of change and challenges to accepted wisdom mean that we all need to continuously upgrade and reinvent ourselves – and use every bit of talent and courage in the process. Richard delivers this message loud and clear through Jolt! If you are ready for some fresh thinking and a new perspective, then I suggest you get stuck into your own copy of Jolt – then watch the changes go viral (and watch out – there may be horror and some drama on the way to the happy ending!)’
Etay Katz, Partner, Allen & Overy LLP – Etay takes an active role in mentoring lawyers through their development stages and in shaping the firm’s training programme designed for its emerging talents
‘A cognitive Jolt to transform your business and your life.’
Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer, Microsoft UK
‘At Innocent, we look to disrupt the norms and lead the way. For this to happen, we have to Jolt!’
Richard Reed, co-founder Innocent
‘This book contains some great insights to help disrupt you and your business out of “auto mortgage payment” and ensure your hardware (brain) is getting its vital upgrades. Unlike your phone it’s got to last a lifetime – give it a Jolt!’
James Gentle, Innovations Marketing Manager, KP Snacks
This edition first published 2015
© 2015 Richard Tyler
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tyler, Richard, 1972-
Jolt: shake up your thinking and upgrade your impact for extraordinary success / Richard Tyler.
pages cm
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-85708-598-6 (pbk.)
1. Change (Psychology) 2. Organizational change. 3. Success. I. Title.
BF637.C4T95 2015
158–dc23
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978-0-857-08598-6 (pbk)
ISBN 978-0-857-08599-3 (ebk) ISBN 978-0-857-08600-6 (ebk)
Cover Design & Illustration: Kathy Davis/Wiley
For all those that have Jolted me on the journey so far. Thank you.
Introduction
With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.
This book will Jolt you. Not for the shock factor, but because the challenges faced by anyone in a leadership position are immense and in this new