Ignited: Managers Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success (Hardcover)

“With a real-worldview of what it's like to lead in limited space, Thompson shows middle managers how to access their true power and purpose to achieve the work life they've always dreamed of. This book really delivers on its promise to Ignite the magnificence of all.”

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

“Brilliant; this is the best management book of the year. Jammed with vital takeaway value for managers it should also be required reading and a sobering look-in-the-mirror for every business owner and CEO. This breakthrough work absolutely sparkles!”   

Jason Jennings, bestselling author ofIt’s Not The Big That Eat the Small-It’s The Fast That Eat the Slow, Less Is More and Think Big-ACT Small

“Thompson rolls up his sleeves and examines the dilemma of managers trapped in a Dilbertian world and provides a vision and road map to inspire organizational change and personal success”. 

Chris Gorog, Chairman & CEO, Napster

“Ignitedspeaks to managers in a way that I’ve seen no other business book do before. With sharp insights and an authentic understanding of our roles, Thompson demonstrates how managers can create the future. With Ignited you’ll get the big ideas that spark as well as the fuel to get you there.” 

Brad Simmons, Senior Partner Manager, Experian

“Like a demolition expert, Thompson craftfully implodes America's old school management chain, and shines the light on the hero in American business; The Manager. I was amazed at the immediacy in which you can apply the information in Ignited! Read this book and re-light the fire in your career, your company, and with everyone you come into contact with.”

W. Grant Eppler, Divisional Sales Manager — West, Heinz — Portion Pac

“If you want to change the world, you've gotta take a stand. With Ignited Vince Thompson does just that showing managers how, in this time of reinvention and chaos, they can rise above the constraints to put the heart and sole back into business. This book and its lessons

have the power to change your life and propel your career. Read it, Live it and Be Ignited!” 

Erin Brockovich, Advocate, Author and Speaker

“Managers of the world, rejoice.  There is finally a book for you.  Vince’s book contains some of the best advice you’ll ever get on getting the best out of people and enduring the constant stress that comes with managing human beings.  Simple, easy to use and inspiring.  If you manage people, buy one.  If you manage managers, buy a box.  In a world of leadership books that may or may not apply to your situation – this book will hit you in the bullseye.”
Tim Sanders, author of Love Is The Killer App: How To Win Business and Influence Friends and former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo!

“Ignited! is a groundbreaking leadership book that if followed will unleash any organizations most underutilized resource -- Middle Managers. Too long neglected and too often abused Vince Thompson lays out how to maximize these managers untapped potential and it is HUGE! If you need results and need an energized management team, Ignited! is the only book you need to read.” 

ChesterElton co-author of the New York Times best-selling Invisible Employee

"Leading from the middle has always been a tough job.  In today’s rapidly changing environment it’s even harder. With Ignited, Thompson takes managers right to the heart of their roles and shows them how they are uniquely positioned to energize their companies. Ignited promises more power, more purpose and more success and really delivers." 

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., Dean, The Graziadio School of Business and Management Pepperdine University

“What will make your career hot--or not--is whether you can inspire a burning desire for change and growth in the people around you. Vince Thompson shows how to do this to get the success you deserve.”

 Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight

"Thompson's the real deal and his book on Management stands out like none other. I'm recommending it to my team and encourage you to take his purpose filled advice and truly be Ignited!" 

Alan Cohen, CMO TV Guide 

"Anyone trying to navigate the treacherous shoals of today's middle management dilemma without this book does so at his or her own peril. Vince Thompson spells out in delicious detail how to stand apart from the crowd and actually get things done."  

Granville Toogood, executive coach and author of The Articulate Executive--Learn to Look, Act and Sound like a Leader

"Ignited is just superb. Rich with terrific insights into the managers' dilemmas this book delivers on the promise for managers to become "Ignited", energized and passionate in their work. One of the experiences and recommendations so resonated with the current situation my friend is in that I pointed it out to him and now he’s reading the book as well! I’m certain I’ll be recommending this book for years to come." 

Jan Sola, Ph.D., Associate Director, Executive Development Center, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University

“If you want to get to the Top you’ve got to make meaningful contributions. With Ignited, Thompson provides a framework for purposeful and powerful action".
Jeffrey Fox, best selling author of How to Become CEO and How to Get to the Top:  Business Lessons Learned at the Dinner Table

"Thanks to Vince Thompson we're reminded that we, Managers in the Middle, are not alone!  With entertaining anecdotes, real life examples and solid research, you'll find Ignited really connects. You'll laugh, you'll cry and if you follow the advice you'll find yourself managing your career rather than being managed by it. This wonderful book is a must read for anyone in management." 

Lisa Tichadou, Sales Training Manager, Employee Development, Los Angeles Times

“Thompson rolls up his sleeves and provides managers a vision and road map to inspire organizational change and personal success.”

–Chris Gorog, Chairman & CEO Napster

THE BUSINESS BOOK FOR THE REST OF US

Ah, the life of a manager. You’re squeezed between the needs of your corporation, your team, your customers, and your colleagues. Whatever your day-to-day realities, you can achieve far greater power, purpose, and success–Ignited will show you how.

“With a real-world view of what it's like to lead in limited space, Thompson shows middle managers how to access their true power and purpose to achieve the work life they've always dreamed of. This book really delivers on its promise to Ignite the magnificence of all.”

–Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager ® and Leading at a Higher Level

“Brilliant; this is the best management book of the year. Jammed with vital takeaway value for managers, it should also be required reading and a sobering look-in-the-mirror for every business owner and CEO. This breakthrough work absolutely sparkles!”

–Jason Jennings, bestselling author of It’s Not the Big That Eat the Small–It’s the Fast That Eat the Slow, Less Is More, and Think Big–ACT Small

“Ignited speaks to managers in a way that I’ve seen no other business book do before. With sharp insights and an authentic understanding of our roles, Thompson demonstrates how managers can create the future. With Ignited you’ll get the big ideas that spark as well as the fuel to get you there.”

–Brad Simmons, Senior Director Partnership Marketing, Experian

“Like a demolition expert, Thompson craftfully implodes America's old school management chain and shines the light on the hero in American business: the Manager. I was amazed at the immediacy in which you can apply the information in Ignited! Read this book and re-light the fire in your career, your company, and with everyone you come into contact with.”

–W. Grant Eppler, Divisional Sales Manager–West, Heinz—Portion Pac

“If you want to change the world, you've gotta take a stand. With Ignited Vince Thompson does just that, showing managers how, in this time of reinvention and chaos, they can rise above the constraints to put the heart and soul back into business. This book and its lessons have the power to change your life and propel your career. Read it, Live it, and Be Ignited!”

–Erin Brockovich, Advocate, Author, and Speaker

More Power, More Purpose, and More Success for Managers

Have you ever been maligned, misunderstood, downsized, reengineered, reorganized, or even misled? Even in the best organizations, you face brutal competition, non-stop pressure, and relentless change.

Ignited reveals the gathering forces that will offer you unprecedented opportunities to reshape your career and organization. It outlines clear, realistic steps for leveraging your networks and resources to transform your vision into reality, and accomplish powerful goals only you can achieve. This is not another diatribe on leadership or grand strategic vision written by those already at the top: the Jack Welches or Rudy Giulianis who can simply dictate their visions to the organization. Ignited is for those leading from the middle: managers who need real tools to make a real difference. If you’re ready to take back your business, your career, and your life, Ignited is for you.

More Power

• Learn how to lead in a limited space
• Power up your network, expand your influence
• Overcome the traps of time, powerlessness, and negative emotions
• Drive meaningful strategic change across your company and industry

More Purpose

• Harness the power of seven key ignition points for achieving your highest purpose
• Accomplish the powerful goals you’re uniquely positioned to achieve
• Master the new roles of linkmaker, process master, pilot, healer, bard, scout, and translator
• Connect your personal passions with your company’s goals

More Success

• Master a system for selling your vision, and succeeding with the projects you’re most passionate about
• Live your best life, not just your company’s

INTRODUCTION: LIVING IN QUAKE COUNTRY  1
BASE CAMP: THE IGNITED QUIZ  13 
Part I GET MORE POWER
1 ACTION WITH TRACTION  19
2 THE MANAGER’S UNIVERSE  39
3 LEADERSHIP IN LIMITED SPACE  57
4 MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS  79
5 THE DEADLY LACK OF EMPOWERMENT TRAP  97
Part II GET MORE PURPOSE
6 IGNITION POINT 1: THE PROCESS  117
7 IGNITION POINT 2: THE PEOPLE  137
8 IGNITION POINT 3: THE MESSAGE  153
9 IGNITION POINT 4: THE LANDSCAPE  167
10 IGNITION POINT 5: THE STRATEGY  187
11 IGNITON POINT 6: THE STORY  207
12 IGNITION POINT 7: THE SPIRIT  227
Part  III GET MORE SUCCESS
13 SELLING FROM THE FULCRUM  247
14 YOUR OWN SENSE OF BALANCE  271
INDEX  281