Every once in a great while, you run across a book you seriously considering buying for others.  Paul Sloane's "The Innovative Leader" is definitely one of those books. 

I've had a lot of other commitments lately so it took me a little longer to get through this book than originally planned.  Not the book's fault...but mine!  However, one of the things that made it so easy to put down and pick up was the fact that the chapters (or topics of innovation/idea management) were short and to the point.  Each chapter delivered the key innovation attribute or concept with vodka-like clarity and with a clear and easy to understand example to ensure the reader "gets it."  These crisp chapters made it easy to pick up the book whenever I had a free moment.  It made me immediately think of a number of my busy CEO clients who would benefit from the lessons and would be able to digest it in small chunks.

The book is broken down into core innovation attributes, each with a number of sub-concepts, designed to provoke thought, lay out a simple path to success and highlight the why along the what.  These core areas include:

• Leading Innovation
• For management to consider to ensure buy-in, success, correct behaviors, etc.
• Problem Analysis
• For anyone looking to ensure they are working on the RIGHT problem
• Generating Ideas
• For anyone looking to improve the odds on finding that needle in the haystack (lots of great stuff in here)
• Implementing Innovation Processes
• For leaders, middle management and employees alike, who are looking for a way to increase the repeatable nature of problem solving, idea generation, invention and innovation
• Building A Creative Culture
• For everyone to better understand that organization creativity and the resulting innovations come from a supportive climate and culture, not from an edict from "on high"
• Personal Creativity
• For anyone looking to improve their skills in creativity and problem solving

Again, as you can see, the book really captures the key concepts and attributes of successful problem solving, organizational creativity and innovation.  It does so via incredibly easy to understand definitions and examples.  It encourages the reader to take action...which is really the point isn't it?  It breaks down sometimes hard to grasp processes into bite-sized, value-rich examples.  It pushes the reader to go beyond that first, easy answer and drive deeper and deeper into unique idea combinations.  Finally, it does all of this in a way that values the busy executive's time.

Yes...it is rare when a book makes you think about others who could potentially benefit from the information it provides.  "The Innovative Leader" is definitely one of those books.  Get yourself a copy today!