Review of "Small Acts of Leadership: 12 Intentional Behaviors That Lead to Big Impact," G. Shawn Hunter

Review of

Small Acts of Leadership: 12 Intentional Behaviors That Lead to Big Impact, G. Shawn Hunter ISBN 9781629561363

Four out of five stars

 In the already large and continually expanding gig economy, employees do not have the expectation of being able to work for the same company for decades and retire with a pension. Nearly all will move from job to job several times (the current conventional wisdom is seven careers) over the course of their working lives. If their current environment is considered inadequate, they will move on.

 This new reality means that there is no longer the authoritative, top-down structure in companies, motivating employees to a high level of performance requires new management strategies. Some of the most effective new strategies are covered in this book and it is immediately clear that much of the content is based on the old adage of personal relationships, “Do the little things.” The title of the introduction is “Small Things Can Matter Most.”

 The twelve “new” management tactics and chapter titles are:

*) Believe in yourself

*) Build confidence

*) Introduce challenge

*) Express gratitude

*) Fuel curiosity

*) Grant autonomy

*) Strive for authenticity

*) Be fully present

*) Inspire others

*) Clarify roles

*) Defy convention

*) Take a break

 The explanations of these tactics are sound and logical, there is nothing that one would consider an “Aha!” moment, where there is an unexpected revelation. Yet, the material is well worth reading and for many managers essential reading. For while the modern worker does not try to burden their employer with providing a lifetime job with a pension, they do expect to be challenged and have the engagement go both ways. There is also no longer any stigma attached to job hopping.