From bestselling author Michael Fullan, wisdom for thriving in today's complex environment

Successful organizations adjust quickly and intelligently to shifts in consumer tastes, political climate, and economic opportunity. How do they do it?The Six Secrets of Change explores essential lessons for business and public sector leaders for thriving in today's complex environment. Fullan draws on his acclaimed work in bringing about large-scale and substantial change in education reform in both public school systems and universities, as well as engaging in major change initiatives internationally. This book is filled with lessons that are insightful, actionable, and concisely communicable.

"Fullan has an uncanny ability to produce what is needed at the time it is needed. The six secrets are based in theory, grounded in practice, powerful in their relationship to each other, and described in ways that enable deep understanding. It is a refreshing change from the surface lists of leadership and change ideas that all too often permeate education and business literature." Vicki Phillips, director of education, Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation

Includes so-called leadership "secrets" that are decoded to be accessible and usefulOffers illustrative examples from a variety of businesses, health organizations, and public education systemsLays out the six factors to organizational success: collegiality, long-range plans allow for the unknown, nurture employees, learning, leadership at all levels, and positive pressure must be inescapableMichael Fullan is the author of the acclaimed best-sellerLeading in a Culture of Change

Fullan convinces us that a leader who attends to all six key factors will have an organization that is constantly learning, growing, and thriving.

Michael Fullan is professor emeritus of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Recognized as a worldwide authority on organizational change, he is engaged in training, consulting, and evaluating change projects around the world. Fullan is author of Change Leader andLeading in a Culture of Change. He lives in Toronto.

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xi

About the Author xiii

Introduction: Have Theory, Will Travel 1

Secret One: Love Your Employees 19

Secret Two: Connect Peers with Purpose 39

Secret Three: Capacity Building Prevails 55

Secret Four: Learning is the Work 73

Secret Five: Transparency Rules 91

Secret Six: Systems Learn 105

Conclusion: Keeping the Secrets 123

References 137

Index 145