The Promises of Giants is a leadership book comprising 14 chapters (each one a promise) and a few supplementary sections. It's aimed at those already in leadership roles and those who aspire to be leaders in the future. So, really it's fairly universal.

The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi | Hachette UK

From socio-political chaos and workplace disruption to the climate change crisis, we have never needed people with the skill and will to collaborate to create a better world more than now. We need people who are willing to fill the leadership void. People who will embrace the influence they have. People who believe in improving society and workplace culture - not only because it makes life better, but because it is proven to yield positive results. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? But if you want to do something extraordinary with your life – whether that’s heading up a successful business, advocating for marginalized communities, or nurturing meaningful connections with everyone you meet – you need a solid game plan. That game plan is a series of promises you must commit to keeping, every day of your life. Filled with some absolute gems, if you read only one leadership/personal development book - I think it should be this. First, why is inclusion important - because without true inclusion, minorities spend most of their time and energy in not being themselves, pretending to be someone else, for e.g. hiding an accent that is associated with an unpopular location, worrying about not being accepted, or being bullied as compared to giving their best to the job and to the organization. Without true inclusion, organizations lose a lot of productive contributions. But, as Uncle Ben warned, with great power comes great responsibility. The onus of being a giant is unyielding. It requires vigilance from the second you begin your morning commute. We are predisposed to believe in pivotal moments—the idea that we will be able to predict and prepare for the most significant events and interactions. We’ll see these moments as they approach at a measured pace. Some will even be booked in our calendars well in advance. And because we were ready and recognized the importance of the moment, we will handle it with aplomb, give a textbook response—we’ll be amazing.

The Promises of Giants is a challenge to anyone who aspires to make a difference in their environment. Over fourteen promises, it seamlessly intertwines personal anecdotes and workplace and social observation with the latest research, to provide practical, proven tips and strategies to empower you to maximize your own potential and inspire others. It is not a self-help book. It is a how-to guide for winning, rooted in the belief that the most unlikely of people, in the most improbable of circumstances, can become extraordinary. Users who reposted THE PROMISES OF GIANTS by John Amaechi OBE, read by John Amaechi OBE - audiobook extract The Importance of Self-Awareness: Amaechi emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in becoming a Giant. Understanding oneself helps in identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.

The Promises of Giants - John Amaechi - Google Books The Promises of Giants - John Amaechi - Google Books

From socio-political chaos and workplace disruption to the climate change crisis, we have never needed people with the skill and will to collaborate to create a better world more than now. We need people who are willing to fill the leadership void. People who will embrace the influence they have. People who believe in improving society and workplace culture - not only because it makes life better, but because it is proven to yield positive results. We need more leaders. Amaechi’s mom understood a truth about humanity; no matter how much we want to deny it, everyone has biases. But people often forget that they can choose whether or not they let those biases influence their words and actions. A giant knows how damaging biases are – and not just those of others. They understand they have to pay constant attention to their own biases too, so that they don’t cause harm. The Promises of Giants is, as its title suggests, a collection of promises. Some are made to the people you work with most intimately, and others are made to your workplace as a whole. But we start with the promises that you make to yourself alone. New leadership books are always popular. ‘The Promises of Giants’ by John Amaechi OBE uses a structure of 14 promises to make to the people you work with and to yourself, and they are good sound promises for life as well as business ranging from “to view myself critically, but not cruelly”, “to tend mind and body” and “to act with vigilance against my bias”. But Amaechi is a giant in another, more significant sense. After retiring from professional basketball, he became a psychologist. He wanted to explore and share two life-changing abilities that he’d discovered on his journey to success – both on and off the basketball court: the first was that he had the power to tap into his own potential. In fact, everyone does. No matter who you are, what you do, or where you sit in your workplace’s organizational chart, you’re like Amaechi: a giant. Whether you realize it or not.From socio-political chaos and workplace disruption to the climate change crisis, we have never needed people with the skill and will to collaborate to create a better world more than now. We need people who are willing to fill the leadership void. People who will embrace the influence they have. People who believe in improving society and workplace culture – not only because it makes life better, but because it is proven to yield positive results. We need more leaders.

The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi OBE, Hardcover

He was touched by this level of care. The driver had clearly looked him up beforehand and thought of ways to make him comfortable. It made Amaechi feel seen and valued, and he realized how important these qualities were in the workplace. It will feel risky and at times even frightening, but the potential rewards are immense and there for the taking. If we can approach life with the courage and enthusiasm of that eager child who is unashamed of their dreams, we lift the ceiling on creativity, innovation, accountability, compassion, and resiliency. On top of being a renowned physiologist, John is passionate about Star Wars and a former NBA sportsman, which makes his examples and stories much more compelling for me.

John Amaechi was a clever teenager. He knew that becoming an NBA basketball player was an ambitious goal – especially for a kid from Manchester, England, who wasn’t even good at sports. So before he told his mother about his dream, he came up with a strategy that he thought was watertight, considering everything from catching the attention of a college sports recruiter to what time of day was best to tell her. Determined to be an NBA star even if it meant giving up pie, teenage Amaechi hit the gym. He also wrote letters to coaches at American high schools. His sports prowess wasn’t impressive – yet. But he knew that if he spent a year in an American high school he’d improve his skills, giving him a better chance of being recruited by a college that would lead to the NBA.

The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi | Hachette UK The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi | Hachette UK

For example, have you taken the time to unearth all the hidden assets and liabilities that will affect the outcome? And how much thought have you given to the people and the spaces you’re working in? Success isn’t just about personal achievement, after all. It’s about creating environments that foster the potential in everyone. Wise, challenging and inspiring, The Promises of Giants is a much-needed book that will resonate with you long after you have finished reading it. -- Fiona Cannon OBE, Managing Director Sustainable Business, Lloyds Banking Group Giants will always set the tone, but giants should never dominate. In most workplaces, it is the preferred style of named leaders that shapes the dynamic of their relationships with direct reports and the broader workforce. In the Promise model, leaders must tailor their style during every interaction—planned or spontaneous—to engage that specific individual in that specific space and time.When Amaechi was eleven, his mom changed his first name to John; up until that point, he’d been Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi. But it wasn’t that she was worried about what people might think of her son because of his name. She was worried about what they’d do. A hiring manager might call John in for an interview, whereas she might have tossed a resume from somebody named Uzoma in the trash. A John might be more embraced in the workplace than an Uzoma would, too. If you want to transform those environments to support success, you need to make some promises – to yourself and to others. These blinks will guide you through seven of those promises, so that you can actively support yourself in reaching your full potential, while helping others do the same.