CONTENTS

 

About the Book

Why this book exists, who it is for, and what makes it different from traditional management theory and rhetoric.

 

The People Behind the Story

An introduction to the characters, drawn from real experience — and the roles they play in the story.

 

A Note on Online Chapters

Explains how the online coaching chapters fit alongside the book and how to use them.

 

Chapter 1 The Boss Who Wanted Me Gone

Joe’s promotion is followed by immediate resistance from above, setting the tone for a journey shaped by politics, pressure and power.

 

Chapter 2* Raising the Bar 1 – Online

Joe is introduced to Coach, who introduces him to the Raising the Bar Way and helps him begin to build a plan.

 

Chapter 3 Ambushed in Plain Sight

Joe expects a routine progress review. Instead, he walks into a meeting designed to push him out. He is only saved by the intervention of a senior leader.

 

Chapter 4 Where Plans Meet People

Joe starts to raise the bar and is met with resistance and hostility. Every action is challenged, testing his resolve and courage.

 

Chapter 5 Attendance — If You Have to Eat a Frog

Joe tackles absenteeism and learns that simply monitoring it and being prepared to talk about it — changes behaviour.

 

Chapter 6* Raising the Bar 2 – Online

Joe reviews progress against his objectives, learns through doing, and is introduced to responsible AI use to support documentation and record-keeping.

 

Chapter 7 When the Gloves Come Off

As Joe raises standards, resistance hardens. One employee pushes back, using the threat of grievance to try to force Joe to back off.

 

Chapter 8 My First Disciplinary Meeting

Supported by a smart HR advisor, Joe learns how to run a disciplinary process properly and gains the confidence to follow it through.

 

Chapter 9 When HR Actually Helps

Joe realises he is no longer on his own as a genuine partnership with HR forms, showing what effective, supportive HR looks like in practice.

 

Chapter 10 When the Bar Cannot Be Raised

Progress stalls as resistance becomes personal. Informal options are exhausted, forcing Joe to move to formal improvement plans as a last resort.

 

Chapter 11 How AI Transforms the Appraisal Process

Joe uses AI to support writing and objective setting, turning the appraisal process into something useful rather than an administrative exercise.

 

Chapter 12 From Reviews to Results

Joe learns how individual appraisals, when viewed together, can shape team development and learning strategy.

 

Chapter 13 The Raising the Bar Cycle Continues

Joe sets the team’s objectives for the next review period and plans how they will be achieved, restarting the Raising the Bar cycle.

 

Chapter 14* Raising the Bar 3 – Online

Joe meets Coach for the final online session to review objectives, achievements and key learnings. Coach also prepares him for potential grievance issues and attempts at upward bullying.

 

Chapter 15 The Grievance Letter Read

Joe receives a formal grievance letter filled with personal attacks and exaggerations. He remains calm, having anticipated this challenge. The chapter demonstrates how AI helps separate subjective claims from objective facts.

 

Chapter 16 When Fairness Meets Fear

Joe faces the threat of a constructive dismissal claim. His boss panics and pushes for a quick settlement, but senior leaders hold firm. Because every step was handled fairly and responsibly, the claim is withdrawn.

 

Chapter 17 Moving On — On My Own Terms

With his senior mentor gone and his direct boss abusing power, Joe realises he must plan his exit. He turns the challenge into opportunity and advances his career.

 

Chapter 18 Moving Up a Bar

Joe struggles in his new middle-manager role, facing familiar challenges around performance and resistance. In desperation, he returns to Coach and the Raising the Bar process continues.

 

Epilogue The Real People Behind the Story

Reflections on what happened next and how these lessons apply beyond the pages of this book.

 

About the Author

Background, experience, and the thinking behind The Raising the Bar Way.

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Appendix The Communication File

Key communication tools and reference material used throughout the story.

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* Coach Meeting chapters are delivered as interactive online sessions.
They expand on the story with deeper coaching, practical tools, templates and guided learning.