Excellent leaders create conditions that advance and empower those around them, especially in times of uncertainty. In Stop, Ask, Explore, Joan P. Ball offers a field-tested framework and practical tools and approaches to help leaders-from first-time managers to C-suite executives-navigate change and equip their teams to over- come challenges in their presence, as well as their absence. * Frances Frei, Harvard Business School Professor, Thinkers50 Award-winner, and co-author of 'Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You' *
So many books simply suggest that change is something we cope with, adjust to, or survive. This book does far more. Rather, in a wonderfully clear and gracious way, Joan P. Ball empowers us to find the power in flux. Once we've understood that possibility, we don't just cope. We're transformed. * Cait Lamberton, MBA, PhD, Alberto I. Duran Presidential Distinguished Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania *
Creating a workplace where women of color can thrive requires a commitment to transformation in every part of the organization-and getting there means rethinking everything. In Stop, Ask, Explore, Joan P. Ball provides a framework that favors action and experimentation to navigate the messiness and uncertainty on the journey to genuine change. * Minda Harts, Workplace and Equity Consultant, author of 'The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table' and 'Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace' *
A wonderful book asking profound, vital questions that will help propel us all to a better, more secure, more interesting, and successful life. * Tom Goodwin, CEO of All We Have Is Now and author of 'Digital Darwinism: Survival of the Fittest in the Age of Business Disruption' *
Joan P. Ball lit up a room of skeptical, hard-nosed engineers who aren't normally comfortable delving into soft skills. She used her authenticity, her wonderful energy, and her sense of humor to really reach them. I watched everyone's posture change during her presentation. Instead of sitting back with arms crossed, they were leaning forward and interacting with Joan as well as their peers. She gave them rich content that convinced them of the value of arming their teams with resilience, tools, and hope during a period that she so aptly described as active waiting. * Kim Furzer, Chief of Staff to CIO, Verizon Media *
All too often, disruption can drive one of two extreme reactions: either a deer in the headlights paralysis or knee-jerk response. Stop, Ask, Explore is the structured set of principles and fresh, practical tools that can finally equip leaders to take action that's truly effective in the face of disruption. It's the missing link in the path to get to the best next. * Andrea Kates, Partner at Suma Ventures and author of 'Find Your Next: Using the Business Genome Approach to Find Your Company's Next Competitive Edge' and Get To Next masterclass series *
Leadership of the recent past required unquestioned experts to drive productivity top-down through execution of well under- stood tasks in relative certainty. Leadership of the current requires humble, curious learners to inspire their people bottom- up to explore, to find, and to frame new challenges in a world of continuous change and uncertainty. Stop, Ask, Explore is not a how to book, because it acknowledges that we will not go back and our path forward is unclear. Since our path forward is yet to be forged, we need learn to guides that help us become comfortable with not knowing, exploring, and wayfinding. Stop, Ask, Explore is a book that clearly understands all this. From Joan P. Ball's deep research, we learn the power of self-reflection and self-awareness in establishing a new breed of leaders who can help lead us through ambiguity towards a better, more inclusive, and equitable future for all. * Heather E. McGowan, Future of Work Strategist, keynote speaker, and author of 'The Adaptation Advantage: Let Go, Learn Fast, And Thrive in the Future of Work' *
Everybody has experienced the challenge of getting from What now? to What's next? In this wonderful book, told through compelling stories and backed by years of rigorous research, Joan P. Ball will help you do just that. This is so much more than a book to enhance your career. It will animate your life! I couldn't recommend it more highly. * Greg Satell, Transformation and Change expert, international keynote speaker, and bestselling author of 'Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change' *
