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Impact: How to Inspire, Align, and Amplify Innovative Teams—A Book Review


Let me warn you upfront:  this is a complex, multilayered volume written by an author with both an engineering (Ph.D.) and public policy background as well as practical experience in the gaming industry (Roblox).  Keith Lucas invites us into a deep dive to creating, leading,  developing, and sustaining teams that are both innovative and entrepreneurial.  He believes that “high-performing teams create engines of innovation in the behaviors they cultivate and the people they hire, develop, and retain.”

 

There are two major themes in the book:  developing teams that practice aligned autonomy and developing “mission athletes” in those teams.  Although the ground covered in the first area is very familiar territory, Lucas gives it a fresh spin.  He knows the accepted literature in the field but is not limited by it.  The section on developing team members acknowledges the reality that not everyone is going to buy into the team approach or achieving the organization’s mission and provides realistic approaches to addressing that situation.

 

Coaching is a key part of Lucas’ strategy.  He sees coaching as an essential part of the individual’s growth and their ability to contribute to the company’s mission.  There is a lot of both quotable and actionable material in this book, but one statement provides a good example: “Coaching for growth is only possible if everyone involved has a growth mindset, coach and coached alike.” (p,188)

 

Lucas’ book is clear, authoritative, and practical; however, be prepared to go deep!

 


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