Firing Fido!

Book excerpt: Do you crave more freedom, fun and fulfillment in your work and life? Then start by picking up the groundbreaking book Firing Fido! This book solves the #1* leadership problem in America according to Fortune magazine — conflict management — and provides a revolutionary approach to conflict which removes the obstacles that block success. It addresses what people struggle with the most — confronting others and themselves in a healthy way. Does confrontation make you 'tense up'? Want to escape your trap? Want to learn how to take the fear out of confronting an underperforming subordinate? Well, it's Chris 'The Conflict Master' Kozakis to the rescue! What exactly is a 'Fido'? Kozakis defines 'Fido' as overloyalty or misplaced loyalty to a person, belief or habit. This lopsided loyalty causes performance and satisfaction to suffer. It gets in our way of getting what we need in our careers and lives, and it can happen to anyone at any level of an organization. You'll learn how to unleash the power in you and in those around you by Firing your Fidos — removing those obstacles that block your success — rather than avoiding or simply coping. Firing Fido! uses real-life examples ranging from the hilarious to the heartfelt. You'll eavesdrop on people as they struggle with messy situations where emotions run high. Learn how to communicate your needs flexibly to others with confidence. This book provides easy, step-by-step instructions you can adapt to your work and life to become your own 'Conflict Master'. Replace those feelings of dread and stress with optimism and energy. Healthy confrontation SM is a transforming experience that revitalizes performance and helps everyone do more creative, productive and energetic work. Healthy confrontation SM does not turn people off! It turns them ON! Are you ready to realize this vision of freedom, fun and fulfillment for yourself and your organization? Then BUY this book and apply its revolutionary — yet simple and practical — leadership techniques to help you Fire your own Fidos! * Fortune magazine cover story, June 21, 1999 Reader Reviews Firing Fido! is a self-help guide to pursuing success by learning to overcome "Fido" - misplaced loyalty to a person, belief, or habit that is unworthy of it. Learning to embrace healthy confrontation, and make the decision to deal with an abusive boss, face down an individual who doesn't keep his promises, stand firmly for one's ideals when confronted with shady or unethical business dealings, or stand up for oneself whenever faced with obstacles to success. Step-by-step instructions to becoming a master of healthy conflict and making a strong will work for oneself and one's career make for a powerfully charged and vital self-help guide. Midwest Book Review from Oregon, WI USA May 18, 2004 "Firing Fido! is a terrific idea... it shows how the workplace can be a whole lot better with a positive approach to confrontation... The reason you should have a copy is that you'll probably have a whole lot better time at the office and at home." Pat McMahon, award-winning talk show host on KAZ-TV, during television interview April 2004.