If Taylor Swift wrote a book on leadership...
597421
This book has all the depth and insight of a Taylor Swift song with no redeeming qualities.  Apparently it's supposed be a parable or fairytale, in which case it succeeds by having zero practicality, touch with reality, or relevance to anything.  Its overall message:  "People work better if they try to enjoy their jobs," merits a brief chapter in a legitimate book about leadership.

The fact that my military service branch assigned it to me as part of a leadership class made the experience doubly aggravating (so many parallels between corporate America, a fish market, and the military!) and ironically made my attitude and corporate buy-in worse.  Fittingly, my issued copy now sleeps with the fishes.
3372401
As I reflect on Storied Leadership, the word holistic keeps coming to my mind. Storied Leadership is a holistic look not only at leadership, but also at the Gospel, and living/leading accordingly. It is a book I wish I would've had years ago when I was working with (university) student leaders. I would recommend this for those in roles of leadership, whether formal or not (and whether you've been a leader for ten days, or ten years...though I'm sure you'll read it differently based on how much hindsight you have).
If you enjoyed books by Andy Crouch (Culture Making, Playing God), you'd probably like Storied Leadership.
On a practical note it was a relatively fast read, though there are questions at the end of each chapter to reflect on, either by yourself, or with a group.

A very thoughtfully written book.
3693538
For months Rebecca Shambaugh, author of It's Not a Glass Ceiling, It's a Sticky Floor, has been repeatedly asked for advice about leading in turbulent times. One of the most important pieces of advice she gives is to be resilient. It should be no surprise, then, that she chose Hillary Clinton as the central person around whom to write a primer of leadership lessons that center on personal greatness and engaging others.

In The Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton, Becky offers guidance on being a continuous learner, leading with purpose and the importance of a personal board of advisors. All the "secrets" are illuminated with examples from Hillary's life and career as well as from others. I particularly liked the chapters on authenticity and listening tours.

At any level in the organization, if work on yourself (especially your ability to embrace change) and/or your engagement skills are important to you, this accessible book will offer a clear guide and useful tools.
2828247
New theories about effective leadership are still evolving. The authors Ron Meyer and Ronald Meijers of the book Leadership Agility argue that successful leaders must be "agile. Entrepreneurship, smart and flexible organisation and inspiring employees are of great importance in the ever changing market.  Innovative and responsive organisations need  leadership agility. The authors have studied of the phenomenon of "leadership" extensively and tested their findings in their professional work. Leaders need to have a broad repertoire of behaviors and problem-solving techniques. Good leaders have a sense of timing, they recognize opportunities and have the ability to inspire others. Leadership is all about influencing others. The vision of Ron Meyer and Ronald Meijers is based on a leadership relationship that is adaptive, flexible and responsive. Leaders need to be able to move between different leadership styles and need to be able to respond quickly to the specific needs of people and situations they want to influence. Above all they need leadership style that fits the requirements of the present time.  The book "Leadership Agility" maps out ten sets of opposite leadership styles. The reader is gets the opportunity to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each style. The leadership styles cover the full range of leadership roles, from the leader as a coach (interpersonal leadership), to the leader as organizer (organisation leadership), as a strategist (strategic leadership), as a sense-maker (leadership and mission) and as a role model (leadership and self). However, most leaders have their own preferred style, which is sometimes effective but in other situations hampers employee change and development. The question is whether it is possible for leaders to master all styles good enough. Most managers already find it difficult to master the four styles of situational leadership.  A point of concern remains the narcistic leader who feels to be smarter than all the employees and is keen to remain in control under all circumstances. The book contains a clear framework for assessing the effectiveness of the style and is a beautiful study.  It contains many tools for leadership development. A high degree of "learning agility" is needed to develop a flexible style. It is a process of learning, analysis and improvement.
3933669
Alex, I am so excited to get this book and start reading. I often hear you talk about leadership and you give great rips on how to become a better leader but to have it all wrapped in one book for continued reference is awesome. Thank you for the time and energy you spent writing this book to sow in to our lives to make us better leaders!!
4172317
Great leadership book - very inspiring and takes one through how to closely develop inherent leadership skills. Also loved "Running with the Rhinos" in relation to this as well.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Running-with-the-Rhinos-Courageous-Leadership-for-a-Complex-World/dp/1935010026/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Running with the Rhinos: Courageous Leadership for a Complex World</a>
2074999
Another amazing book authored by Bridget Haymond. This book will not only change the course of your life as a leader but it will help you to recognize the powerful influence you can have in the lives of others. I love what Bridget notes about "Purpose And Follow Through", she writes, "Remember, life is not about perfection or taking the easy way; it's about good planning and hard work. Don't settle for the status quo, pursue excellence in all you do. Do common things in uncommon ways as you follow through on the dreams and goals that God has placed in your heart. Then you'll blaze a trail and lead the way for others to live with purpose as they follow your example." God Fashioned - Leading And Influencing will undoubtedly will provoke you into becoming the awesome leader and influencer God destined you to become.
4645514
...but nobody said it would be easy. If you truly want to be in partnership with men and women, this is the book containing the journey that can lead you to that, if you put the work in. Inspiring, insightful, actionable and interesting, just like everything Alison Armstrong has written.
760151
I received "Speak Now" as a gift from my husband. I am very hard to please when it comes to music, but I really like Taylor Swift and I believe this is Taylor at her best.
3301428
Give me twenty-six lead soldiers and I will conquer the world, wrote Karl Marx. His ideas (however mangled) conquered about half of it. An alphabet army, formed into compelling ideas, is powerful without limit. From marine biologist Rachel Carson, who launched an environmental movement with her book Silent Spring, to thousands of citizens leaning into social media to launch Arab Spring, people writing down their thoughts, passions, concerns are changing our world.

But The Movement could use more people writing. Each of us has a unique voice that the world needs.

The best guide to help us focus this power is Writing to Change the World by therapist and author Mary Pipher (2006). Its a great how-tonot so much how to put sentences together, but how to remember that were empowered, were connected, we have responsibility. Pipher explores with us how to find our own voice, how to grow our soul, how to be honest.

She offers insight on the practical aspects of interviewing, organizing, point of view, audience. And Writing to Change the World offers thoughts beyond books or articles: speeches, music and poetry, personal essays and, yes, blogs. The technology exists to solve societys greatest challenges; its affordable; the social infrastructure is in place. Whats lacking most is the groundswell of support to scale up the proven solutions.

Your voice matters! Here are a few questions Pipher asks to help you find it: What makes you laugh, cry, and open your heart? What points to you repeatedly make to those you love? What do you know to be true? What do you consider to be evil? What do you want to accomplish before you die?

A few Nuggets from the book:

On Change: :As a therapist, I usually suggest action. As change writers, we can offer readers ideas for action. If readers take our advice to work in a soup kitchen for the homeless, they are likely to become more sympathetic toward the poor. We humans are hardwired to care for what we love, but we also come to love what we learn to care for."

On Stories: "Stories make people laugh or weep because they engage the sensory and emotional systems of our bodies. I urge you to be selective and parsimonious in your use of numbers or statistics. Most readers quickly grow bored with them. As Stalin put it, If you kill one man its murder, if you kill a million it is a statistic.

On Preaching to the Choir:  "The truth is, most preaching is to the choir. Choirs produce almost all the important social action in our world. The people most likely to read us are the people who think like we do. And readers generally seek reinforcement of their beliefs, not arguments or challenges. When writing for compatriots, we hope to energize an sustain them. We want to deliver new thoughts and information to them, strengthen their beliefs and mobilize hem to action. Often, we will cite common history and heroes, and employ shared, meaning-laden metaphors. This kind of to the barricades writing enjoins communities of believers to make things happen."
4891806
I LOVE this song--it is fun & empowering!!!  Most of Taylor Swift's songs R 2 countrified 4 me; but, I really LOVE this song.  ;)
1263712
The Right to Lead
Learning Leadership Through Character and Courage
By John C. Maxwell

This gift book is an excellent idea for anyone who is going into, or may already be in a leadership role. With snippets though out about historically great leaders and what made them a good leader or what made them just a commander. This book is a great idea for morning snippets or if you need a little inspiration though out your day. The way that Maxwell drew from both his own books and other references of historical leaders created a full picture of what a leader who has earned his title should be. Each section has a saying or poem that really emphasizes what the quality consists of, they also have a small story about a leader who exemplifies the section by displaying it thought their actions or by failing to display it.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to lead men and women and not just be placed in charge of them

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
1461426
"In The Spirit of Leadership, A Vision Into A Different Future", sounds more ponderous and self-important than this book of poems and insights actually proves to be. Designed (unconsciously, I believe) to resemble a box of luxury chocolates, this elegant book seeks to open minds to their own potential and hidden strengths, sharing through poetry and snatches of prose the author's many insights gained over years as a leadership consultant to CEO's, senior executives and world leaders.

The book starts off "on track", giving you what you've been led to expect, poetry and insights focused on creating business leaders and fresh thinkers, teaching them "Being Leadership"--embodying leadership--rather than to wear the flimsy-but-oft-worn mantle of "Being Leaders".

Soon, however, we wander off into realms farther afield than Applied Business School Philosophy. We are journeying with the author through poetic interludes as she takes wilderness solo journeys, overcomes fears of the unknown, recovers from being badly burned in a fire, pushes herself and her readers toward an ever-opening and never-resolved becoming. We are the chrysalis, the cocoon and the butterfly all in one.

Cheryl Esposito is clearly a woman of many talents and the wisdom to pursue them with clarity and vigor. If there is a fault with "In The Spirit of Leadership" it lies in it offering too much for us to consider in a single package, too many themes heading in too many directions. But then again, once one connects with the zen of being leadership--of being our true selves--as Esposito envisions it, choosing what to read and what to leave unread probably becomes a natural act.

There is much in this poetic enterprise worthy of reading.
3865413
Brilliant facets of leadership and achievement... Bjorn's ideas are practical and very strait forward. This is a How To book on how to achieve what you want and why YOU need to be in charge. A must read for CEO and Entrepreneurs alike.

Arthur Carmazzi
Bestselling author and ranked as one of the world's top 10 thought leaders in Leadership and Organizational Culture
2263766
...might take longer to absorb and put into practice. I was one of the lucky people to get a pre-release copy of this book, Born For This. The ideas are current and relevant. There are actionable steps to take included in every chapter. The book is easy to read and no no nonsense. If I had any negatives it would be that Chris does not take us into his ideas in any depth. My guess he is saving that for his on-line classes.
3169019
Any true "swifte" will love this!!!!  I am highly recommending this cd/dvd combo as a must have to complete your Taylor Swift collection!
4399410
I am always interested in books that teach me new things, make me a better person and a better leader. What I think about this book probably depends on the question asked. If the question is - "Did you learn something from this book", my answer is "Absolutely Yes". If the question is - Is the book interesting, my answer would be different.

Although I admire and truly respect the author for the work he has done, my personal feeling is that the book is probably not very captivating. Although several parts of the book are very interesting, there were several times when I had to pause and re-read (sometimes more than two times) to make sense of what the author is trying to say. You have to use System 2 and you will understand what this means once you start reading the book.

The book is very long too. If you really want to learn something and if you don't mind investing time - purchase the book.
Although this book is already a big hit, I feel that it could do even better if the length is condensed to about 75%.