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Palgrave Macmillan

Being a True VIP

Managing Importance in Yourself and Others

  • Book
  • © 2016

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Authors:
  1. Eric H. Kessler
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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
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  2. The Importance of Importance

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Introduction

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 3-15

    3. Foundation

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 17-50

  3. A Model of Importance

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 51-51
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    2. Path—The Drivers of Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 53-76

    3. Profile—The Filters of Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 77-94

    4. Context—The External Contingencies to Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 95-116

    5. Criteria—The Internal Contingencies to Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 117-140

    6. Nature—The Qualities of Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 141-161

    7. Use—The Engagements of Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 163-176

    8. Outcome—The Consequences of Importance

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 177-201

  4. The Management of Importance

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 203-203
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    2. Conclusion

      • Eric H. Kessler
      Pages 205-216

  5. Back Matter

    Pages 217-238
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Keywords

About this book

The desire to be seen as a Very Important Person (VIP) is one of the driving factors behind humankind's professional, societal, and spiritual aspirations. In Being a True VIP, management scholar and author Eric H. Kessler illustrates the nature of importance and how it relates to our success as employees and individuals. Through a clear and focused theoretical framework, he follows the paths that lead to importance, who determines it, and how it affects employee engagement and performance. Readers will be able to understand, personalize, and apply these lessons to manage themselves and others to be true VIPs.

Reviews

“This is a scholarly, theoretical, complex book about understanding and managing importance in oneself and others. … The author explains why people are important sociologically, politically, economically, legally, and philosophically and how the external environment affects the path to importance. This book should be read by psychologists, PhDs, and researchers in the physical and life sciences. … The bibliography is excellent. Summing Up: Recommended. Faculty only.” (D. W. Huffmire, Choice, Vol. 54 (3), November, 2016)

Eric Kessler's Being a True VIP brilliantly illuminates the role of IMPORTANCE in our lives, not as ego but as value and significance. With his inspiring and empowering ideas, Kessler enables us to answer age-old questions such as "Is my life important?" and "Does my life matter?" Your life will be much richer from having adopted his ideas. —Bill George, Senior Fellow, Harvard Business School; former CEO, Medtronic; author, Discover Your True North.

Kessler shines a keen spotlight on the impacts we have on our significance and value at various levels and how we can enhance them. An affirming book, brimming with energy and thought. —Nigel Nicholson, London School of Business; Author, The 'I' of Leadership.

Eric Kessler's book challenges us to peer into our own souls to more deeply question what lies behind our ambitions, hopes and aspirations. By charting a path toward greater authenticity Being a True VIP is a journey of self-discovery that can make each of us more powerful in who we are and what we do. —Bill Shore, Founder and CEO, Share Our Strength; Author, The Cathedral Within.

About the author

Eric H. Kessler is the Henry George Professor of Management at Pace University, USA and General Editor of the Encyclopedia of Management Theory. An expert in the field of innovation and technology, he has worked as an executive educator, policy analyst, and business consultant for public and private organizations such as Ford, IBM, and Goldman Sachs. He is a Fellow and Past President of the Eastern Academy of Management and has served on numerous editorial and advisory boards. Dr. Kessler is the author of several critically-acclaimed books: The Handbook of Organizational and Managerial Wisdom (2007), Cultural Mythology and Global Leadership (2009 / 2010 paperback), and Applying Management Theory to Practice: Real-World Lessons for Walking the Talk (2010).

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