Copyright © 2018 Dr. Tim Irwin. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Irwin, Tim, 1949–

Title: Extraordinary influence : how great leaders bring out the best in others / Tim Irwin.

Description: Hoboken : Wiley, 2018. | Includes index. |

Identifiers: LCCN 2017058808 (print) | LCCN 2018000083 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119464440 (pdf) | ISBN 9781119464433 (epub) | ISBN 9781119464426 (hardback) | ISBN 9781119464440 (ePDF)

Subjects: LCSH: Leadership. | Personnel management. | BISAC: BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Human Resources & Personnel Management. | BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Leadership. | BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Management.

Classification: LCC HD57.7 (ebook) | LCC HD57.7 .I793 2018 (print) | DDC 658.4/092—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017058808

Cover Design: Wiley

To my Clients, from whom I have learned so much over the years.

Tim Tassopoulos

President and Chief Operating Office, Chick-fil-A

I am grateful that one of the mentors who has wielded “extraordinary influence” in my life is Dr. Tim Irwin. Tim is a consultant to many of America's most respected organizations and Fortune 100 companies. His faith is evident, his love for family and friends is unshakeable, and his commitment to developing others is impressive. That's the heart behind this book.

My relationship with Tim started over 30 years ago. Tim was an advisor and consultant to Chick-fil-A founder, Truett Cathy, and Chick-fil-A president, Jimmy Collins. As the generations of Chick-fil-A leadership changed over time, Tim's insights, counsel, and active consulting about talent management, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and culture have made a tremendous contribution to our company and its leaders. I encourage you to read this book to glean your own insights as a leader, teacher, coach, or parent, from Tim's broad and practical book.

Smart people have different definitions of leadership. Warren Bennis defined leadership as the capacity to “translate intention into reality and sustain it.” Marcus Buckingham, author and consultant, says that leaders “rally people to a better future.” John Maxwell, pastor and author, says, “Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.” I find value in each of these perspectives, but Tim Irwin's definition of leadership as “extraordinary influence” aligns with my own personal definition. Extraordinary influence is ultimately how one person positively impacts others through choice and not through forced compliance. This is real leadership—not the power or prestige that is often confused with strong leadership.

What is the one, essential quality of a leader who wants to make an impact in a positive way? What matters most for the leader who wants to leave a meaningful legacy for the next generation? What capacity should a leader develop most to fuel their leadership engine? The answer to each of these questions is the same—extraordinary influence.

I encourage you to read, reflect, and apply—put the leadership principles found in this book into practice, as I have. Become an inspiring leader known for extraordinary influence. Develop your character as a leader. Then, dare to lead!

Tim Irwin hits a needed reset button in Extraordinary Influence. He compels us to consider the power of our words, to build up and to tear down. From my observations in 50‐plus years of business leadership, this book's focus on “affirmation” is right on target as the central ingredient in building a dedicated team and productive work environment. It is rich in uncommon wisdom and immediately applicable in your spheres of influence.

John D. Beckett
Chairman, The Beckett Companies
Author: Loving Monday and Mastering Monday

Combining fresh insights from neuroscience and behavioral psychology with a lifetime of real‐world experience with CEOs and other leaders, Irwin gives us a template to “help bring out the best in others.” Many of his teachings are counter‐intuitive and challenge traditional leadership guidance. That's when Tim is at his best.”

David W. Miller, PhD,
Director, Princeton University Faith & Work Initiative;
President, The Avodah Institute

Prepare to be disrupted. Tim's latest book challenges decades of accepted approaches to the motivation of others. Any of us who lead an organization want the members of our organizations to flourish. Tim uses his experiences, the latest science, and the wisdom of highly effective CEOs to guide us into a better approach. This book is a must read for anyone serious about improving their leadership.

Greg Brown
CEO Learfield

If we, as leaders, are only as good as the people we lead, it behooves us to bring out their best. In Extraordinary Influence, Dr. Tim Irwin provides a practical and intuitive guide, backed by science, on how we can bring out the best and motivate others.

Jim Lindemann
Executive Vice President, Emerson

There are many people today offering insights about leadership, but few are as engaging and interesting as my friend Tim Irwin. In Extraordinary Influence he reminds us that the best leaders are those who are invested in the betterment of those around them. It's a powerful book!

Jim Daly,
President – Focus on the Family

There is so much polarization in our country at the present time, with verbal barbs ever present in our political and economic debate. Into this context comes a timely book, that if taken seriously by enough people, can result in healthier and more productive workplaces. It can result in more efficient government. It can result in happier and more stable families. The power of words is something we do not think about nearly as much as we should and Tim Irwin has made a compelling case for the power of words of affirmation that are timely and truthful.

Howard Dahl
CEO, Amity Technology Corporation
Chairman, Astarta Holding N.V.

Don't we want to bring out the best in our family, the members of our team, our employees and those in our circle of influence? Dr. Irwin reiterates throughout the text, just how much words matter. He eloquently and scientifically explains how both “Words of Life” and “Words of Death” can affect another's core (that part of us where beliefs are stored, opinions formed, and feelings happen). “Words of Life” ‐ spoken authentically to another person ‐ have the power to positively transform that individual's life. If you want to leave the people in your life better than you found them, Extraordinary Influence is a must‐read.

Lisa Nichols,
CEO
Technology Partners

It is said that great employers create an environment where their associates can bring their full selves to work. In many respects, that is a fundamental aspect of building an engaging workplace. But what if we could create something even more impactful? Dr. Irwin points out that both the art and science of great leadership proves that by speaking words of Life into our people, there is both an emotional and physical response that literally changes who we are and leads us to even greater levels of performance. A culture of high performance demands what this book brings to the table.

Scott MacLellan
CEO
TouchPoint Support Services and Morrison Community Living

In his new book Extraordinary Influence Dr Irwin zeroes in on a little understood key to inspirational, powerful leadership, the ability to influence. He dissects the nuances and elements of influence which can empower leaders from all parts of an organization, democratize the ability to lead, and flatten the leadership hierarchy of effective organizations.”

Kevin Race
Executive Vice President
Consumer Operations
SunTrust Bank