https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631958127
Barefoot in the Boardroom looks like a great business guide. Can you tell us a little about it?
Barefoot In the Boardroom is a practical change management manual for executives looking for a proven methodology that can break down a huge vision into manageable chunks. The proactive measures and techniques outlined will equip business professionals to expand their leadership skills while simultaneously encouraging the growth of others. Barefoot In the Boardroom will scale an organization, team, or department to not only identify the right strategic initiatives but to execute those initiatives and sustain success.
Each chapter offers clarity for strategic initiatives, key
objectives, operational tactics, and measurable outcomes that encourages
leaders to implement change and innovation in order to sustain professional
longevity.
Any plans to turn it into a series?
Not at this time.
How long did it take you to write Barefoot in the Boardroom?
The idea for the title was sparked on 4/30/17. However, I
did not start writing it until 2020. It took about 6 months to finalize the
manuscript.
What will readers get out of your book?
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
● Offers
a proven change management strategy with detailed tactics and metrics that aid
in leading your organization or department through change effectively
● Contains
the author’s over 17 years of leadership experience and a proven track record
of developing and implementing operational strategies and technologies that
creatively enhance the customer experience while supporting key business
initiatives
● Includes
signature “BAREFOOT Method®” for effective change management and “Exposeyour™”
Leadership Capacity for preparing resources to successfully manage the change
● Features
measurement tools, assessments, and links to downloadable content that can be
easily applied for quick wins
● Highlights
strategies for leveraging the employee experience to improve the customer
experience
● Teaches
talent optimization techniques that help leaders get the right people in the
right seat to achieve the right result
● Pairs
well alongside strategic planning initiatives to help break a large vision into
manageable, trackable steps
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have loved to write since childhood.
What inspired the idea for your book?
My leadership journey inspired this book. Throughout my
career, every time I hit a roadblock or experienced extreme frustration, it was
directly related to my need to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as a
leader. Working in many fast paced and innovative environments, the only way to
sustain success was to innovate as a leader and set up the right measurements
to track progress. Many times, in order
to get results I felt I had to be the one to “go against the grain” or
challenge cultural norms to scale for the organizational growth. I realized
that all successful companies have a BIG vision and the only way to achieve
that vision was to have the right people in the right seats to get the desired
results. I also noticed that some of the resistance to the change needed to
achieve these BIG goals was because of lack of communication and ultimately
impacted customers in a negative way. Through my experience and the experience
of other leaders and mentors around me, I developed the BAREFOOT Method®.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
The title, “Barefoot In the Boardroom” is the
brainchild from a day I had to make the decision to remove my shoes just before
a corporate presentation I was scheduled to deliver. Due to the excruciating
pain my feet were in from walking in high heels all day, I decided the only way
I could successfully share the strategies and insights without distractions was
to be barefoot. One of the VP’s looked at me and said, “Hmm. You are barefoot
in the boardroom. That is a book title.” He did not know it at the time, and
neither did I, but he inspired this book title. Years later, after working to
help many organizations navigate change, I reflected on that moment and
realized the correlation. Sometimes in business, pain forces you to do
something unorthodox to get the desired result. You cannot be so concerned
about people looking at you or wondering why you’ve “stepped out of the box”
that you forfeit the desired result.
Did anything stick out as particularly challenging when writing Barefoot in the Boardroom?
Not that I can think of. I think I was able to write it
easily because it is a topic that I am passionate about and something that I am
living out in my day-to-day leadership.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
After working my way up to executive leadership in the
corporate space and spending almost 10 years leading in a software startup that
experienced 30% growth year over year, I learned how to navigate rapid change. I am certified as a Change Management
Practitioner and Talent Optimization Consultant. As a technology-oriented
executive and customer success professional, I have over 17 years of leadership
experience and a proven track record of developing and implementing operational
strategies and technologies that creatively enhance the customer experience
while supporting key business initiatives.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
Visit my website www.sharahutchinson.com