A brilliant new edition of a leadership classic
598442
This second edition of Leaders Open Doors is simply powerful! It is simple because it builds on a chance happening that fired a light bulb moment ... and powerful because the notion that leaders open doors for others is just what leaders should do.

So if you need to improve your ability as a leader to grow the leaders of the future, both within and around your team, then read this book. You will not be disappointed.

In a calm, purposeful and methodical manner Bill takes you on a brilliantly crafted journey, complete with the new set of exemplars and anecdotes, that will lead to understanding and enlightenment. Leaders challenge and grow those around them ... and they open doors repeatedly for others in doing so.

Do not miss this opportunity to have a door opened for yourself!
401626
This is a brilliantly curated book about leadership and the profound lessons that can be gleaned from reconnecting with our lost Old Testament vernacular.  Organized by subjects such as Dreams/Vision, Leadership, Planning and Patience, this book is the ultimate entrepreneur/business/non-profit leader's desk reference for much of what we touch and communicate in our daily work life.

If Americans are the ultimate dissenters in the world, having left the "old" country to make a life in the new world, then the Jews are the original dissenters from the world as it "is". The short articles, letters, of this book are relevant to anyone trying to change the world whether in business or in any organized form. Rabbi Genack gives a concise biblical framework to the idea that a leader must be a visionary, a dissenter from the way things "are" and then relates the old testament stories to the travails of being on the "bleeding edge" or in this case the Oval Office.

But there is even more to this book. The voice and "cadence" of the biblical narrative President Clinton refers to in the introduction, is the voice and cadence of America.  In a way that only a Rabbi and President Clinton could communicate, this book shows that Americans, through their former President, have the foundation to answer those who attack the values of our liberal democracy by using the Judeo Christian values that provided such guidance and sustenance to the founders of this country in their most trying of times. "The battle today is between those in each of the faiths who see religion as a form of the will to power, and those who see it as a will to life, ALL life".

We may have lost our fluency in our religious roots, but this book is a brilliant and accessible way home. Enjoy!
4355728
This work by Richard and Henry Blackaby is the absolute best book on leadership I have read.  Having recently graduated with a doctorate in evangelism and church growth, and possessing a passion for reading pastoral material, I have read numerous books on leadership.  All of them pale in comparison to this volume.
The authors focus upon a leader's relationship with God as the key to effective leadership.  From this relationship flow a leader's vision, goals, influence, and decision-making.  All of the basic leadership principles are covered in this book, but they are addressed from the perspective of one's relationship with God.  This perspective is what makes this work so unique and so valuable.
I strongly recommend this book to all pastors, church leaders and even to Christian leaders in secular organizations as a "must read."  Before reading the volumes of material available from Maxwell, Schaller and other noted leadership authors, try this one!  It will transform the way you view leadership as a Christian.
3557123
I have worked in Human Resources for over 18 years and therefore I have read many books on the subject of leadership.  There is a great deal of debate on what exemplifies excellent leadership, and certainly most of the literature on the subject will select certain traits, define them, and explain why those traits are critical for effective leadership.  My favorite is still&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/First-Break-All-the-Rules-What-the-World-s-Greatest-Managers-Do-Differently/dp/0684852861/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently</a>, which gives fascinating insight into exceptional leadership traits. Rather than citing examples from well known leaders, First, Break all the Rules takes an incredibly diverse and intimate approach of highlighting managers and leaders on the front lines and what makes them so effective.  Then, Marcus Buckingham backs up those conclusions with tens of thousands of points of data courtesy of his work with the Gallup Organization, linking high manager scores on engagement surveys to higher profitability, customer satisfaction, etc.  It's as much of a slam dunk as you can get on a subject that has such divergent definitions of what success looks like.

Nigel Nicholson's approach is to cite examples from different well known leaders and use those examples as a springboard to analyze the leadership traits exhibited and their effectiveness.  Rather than being a "how to" book about great leadership, I think it asks more questions than it answers.  This is not a bad thing, however - the questions are thought-provoking and designed to make the reader reflect on his or her own decision-making and leadership style.

As with many novels on business and leadership, Nicholson presents frameworks for his leadership musings such as SPQ - situation, process, and qualities, and approaches to improving leadership effectiveness(shaping, discovery, and my favorite, self-knowledge, as well as assimilation and seeing and selection). This isn't new material (examples: servant leadership, putting yourself in someone else's shoes), it's a new way of looking at areas that have been explored in other leadership books.  In essence, this is a book about emotional intelligence without calling it that.  Perhaps this is a smart approach as there are so many EQ books on the market right now, each giving EQ its own personal spin on the topic.

As a human resources practitioner, the part that really resonated with me was Nicholson's definition of Critical Leader Relationships. I have always found that this is the key role of the HR Business Partner - to provide insight, to challenge the leader, to give feedback and ideas, and provide support. I had a conversation with a Director this week about why he was not considered for a VP role in my company. I gave him feedback on the traits that the C-suite and GMs were looking for, and what his strengths and areas for improvement are. We discussed how he is not agile in his decision making, and by nature will take a great deal of time collecting data and considering options before making decisions. I then let him know that he needed to get in front of the GMs and improve his visibility to the C-suite. His organization is part of a shared service, yet when I asked him what expectations each of the GMs had for his competency area and whether or not he had spoken to them of the level of service provided, he had not. In his mind, his VP owned that relationship with the GMs, even though the VP was responsible for the integrated work of 5 different engineering competencies. I suggested that he build a relationship with each GM, come to an understanding of what their needs are so that he can provide them with the support their business units need.

That Director is the kind of person who would really benefit from reading this book. It would help him ponder and re-set his paradigms and have a deeper understanding of how he can be more effective as a leader.
560343
Great sequel to Leadership on the Line, which may be one of the best books I have ever read concerning leadership.  Pragmatic, complex yet so is leadership.  The two together provide a framework that helps individuals and organizations adapt and thrive in challenging situations.  Change requires you to challenge people's familiar reality, or in some sense be disruptive.  That can be difficult, dangerous work. And, as you push though major changes, the political and organizational fallout can be deadly....Nonetheless, leaders need to find a way to make it work.  The two texts are a necessary addition to any leadership library....and insightful for leaders in those situations.
3964031
No one else is an authority on leadership that James Kouze and Barry Posner, their best selling The Leadership Challenge redefined the study of this emerging field.
This concise book attempts to bring out the best lessons that they have to offer.  In the onset, the authors share that their audiences always try to corner them to what is new in the field.  It is true that we are going through a period of tremendous change.  These shifts in our world have created heartache  but also have open windows to endless opportunity.
What the authors do with anecdotes and research data is to expose the time tested truths about what makes organizations and leaders succeed. The most important is that you are a leader and need to share some of the responsibility of your organization's success.
Here are the ten truths about leadership:
1- You can make a difference
2- Credibility is the foundation of leadership
3- Values driven commitment
4- Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart
5- You can't do it alone
6- Trust Rules
7- Challenge is the Crucible for Greatness
8- You either lead by example or you don't lead at all
9- The best leaders are the best learners
10- Leadership is an affair of the heart
1641009
Terry Bacon has masterfully combined extensive research on influence and power sources (personal and organizational) with an engaging, story-telling style that is accessible for all readers.  His use of leadership examples (from controversial to iconic) throughout the book make for a fascinating read and a practical guide for anyone who is interested in increasing their power base.  The book is well organized with "Key Concepts" and "Challenges for Readers" at the end of each chapter and a Self-assessment making it an essential toolkit for any aspiring or seasoned leader.  As such, it serves as both an engaging read from cover to cover and a practical reference guide for personal leadership development.
4305177
This book is an absolute read for all because of its layout of the combination of leadership and its impact on the creation of our great nation. There are no better people to learn about leadership from than our founding fathers. They mentored us by example on what commitment and dedication to a cause was all about. This book is well researched, well written, and an easy read. Colonel Antal makes a clear picture on the examples of what "all in" and "skin in the game" should be to all people in positions of leadership. This is not only a history book but a book on the principles of leadership. It offers an appeal to any prospective reader whose interest might range from pleasure reading to self improvement. There is no doubt this book should become part of any commited leader's professional library, as it has in mine.
John T. Furlow Major General, USA (Retired)
4619737
In his down to earth style, James Hunter reminds us of timeless leadership principles that can change the world, starting with the life of the reader! Convicting yet motivating, the book encourages the reader to identify their own leadership gaps and to take ownership of making the right choices to close those gaps. A must read for anyone desiring to be a more effective leader. I'll be recommending it to all my friends. It's absolutely outstanding!

Dr. Bruce Pieper
2037378
Kevin Crenshaws aptly titled Neverboss supplies antimatter to counterbalance the matter of traditional command-and-control bureaucracy. It acknowledges the existence of hierarchyand then conclusively demonstrates myriad ways to make it effective, agile and vibrant. It promises to demonstrate how to turn hierarchy from a liability into an asset.

His book is aimed at leaders who want to be effective executives (as once described in the classic Peter Drucker book of 1966The Effective Executive), but don't have the freedom or the risk tolerance to play with organizational self-management. Neverboss gives these leaders organizational, leadership and cultural hacks that drive them right up to the precipice of self-management while still solidly remaining on the perceived terra firma of traditional management.

The Neverboss tale unfolds in a business novel drawn from Crenshaws 35-plus years of leadership and consulting experience around the world. It is the story of Jeffrey, a mid-level manager at Heart Enterprises in deep trouble with both his bosses and subordinates because of his tone-deaf approach to leadership. Given a second chance for executive success with a caring and compassionate executive coach named Alexandra, Jeffrey embarks on a whirlwind journey of discovery, uncovering rich pearls of leadership wisdom through trial, error and feedback.

Crenshaw is nothing if not practicalthe subtitle of the book is "Great Leadership by Letting Go"and the opportunity for great leadership is exactly what each chapter delivers. The sub-subtitle is "A Rapid Blueprint for Hands-Off Leadership"the author designed the book to be immediately actionable. After making each crucial point with a story, the author ends each chapter with a Summary box of highlights, and sprinkles the text with boxes highlighting reference materials, recommended readings, and fascinating observations.

I found myself asking the question throughout the story: what organization wouldnt want to implement the type of leadership that Jeffrey embraces over the course of his journey? Weighing Neverbosss microscopic downside versus the potentially enormous upside seems to be an exercise in obviousness. What organization wouldnt benefit from this approach? The Neverboss concepts seem to me to have valence for both traditional management structures as well as the self-organizing, self-managing environments of the future of work.

Neverboss is engaging, fundamentally sound, and actionable. Its timeless principles and practical techniques, woven throughout a thoroughly entertaining and approachable story, will resonate.

Enjoy Neverboss. Better yet, put Neverboss to work in your organization. As soon as possible.
896664
Leader? Innovator? Inspirer? This is a must-read for you!
2259548
This book is simply fantastic. The common sense leadership lessons learned from this work are timeless and tested, and are sure to help and/or improve the leadership abilities of all who read and apply the lessons relayed in this excellent work. Please write another book, Pete.
1041883
Employers are plagued by a dearth of leadership. Too many companies are populated by people who can't think for themselves and, worse, by people who can think but don't. Today, when brainpower is so critical to an organization's success, we limit ourselves by doing some really stupid things.
If that statement sounds a little brash, challenging, critical, and accurate, you ain't seen nothin' yet! After a quarter century of consulting to all sorts of organizations around the world, Karl Albrecht has earned an enviable reputation---and the bully pulpit to tell it like it is. His messages (and the book is filled with them) need to be heard by people in charge of today's departments, divisions, companies, agencies, and other organizations. We call these people "leaders," but in truth most are really managers or even administrators in leaders' clothing. Their ignorance, ineptitude, and avoidable blunders inhibit performance.
Leaders need to learn more about leadership. They need to understand leadership in its current context and, at the same time, appreciate how we arrived at this place on our journey. They need to appreciate their role, especially the importance of inspiring and supporting people to use their minds. Creativity? Yes, but an amazing proportion of workers can't---or won't---even think for themselves, limiting their potential for achievement.
Consider Albrecht's Law: "Intelligent people, when assembled into an organization, will tend toward collective stupidity." It's Dilbert  come to life. Albrecht's assertion is that leveraging the intelligence of an organization can determine the difference between "smart" companies and "dumb" companies. In our increasingly competitive employment environment, companies that allow themselves to be "dumb" (or even just dumber than the competition) may be doomed to extinction. The differentiating factor is leadership, and how well that leadership can utilize the individual and collective intelligence of the organization's members.
This book will grab your attention in the preface and you'll find yourself wanting to keep turning the pages to absorb the knowledge delivered, sometimes irreverently, by the author. Each chapter is filled with insights of past, present, and possibilities that will add to the vital comprehension of how the quality of thinking can help or hinder achievement. A liberal sprinkling of examples, aptly called "Case in Point," bring principles and experiences to life in each chapter. A set of Key Indicators closes each chapter, giving the reader a handy checklist to apply the knowledge gained. This design is very user-friendly.
The first two chapters make the case for smarter organizations. The second section of the book explores Organizational Intelligence, focusing on strategic vision, shared fate, appetite for change, earning discretionary energy, alignment and congruence, knowledge development, and performance pressure. The last two chapters offer the reader some serious guidance in how to make their organizations smarter. Notes at the end of each chapter and a comprehensive 12-page index add value.
The Power of Minds at Work covers a lot of landscape. It's comprehensive, yet delves into sufficient depth to satisfy some of the thought stimulated by his commentary. Yes, you read that sentence correctly: some of your thought will be satisfied. Reading this book will inspire you to go further. Wise leaders will absorb the book, then invite their co-leaders to read and discuss Albrecht's messages....and apply the wisdom that emerges. The content in these pages will generate some rich, productive conversations.
Reviewer's Note: As author of "Impending Crisis: Too Many Jobs, Not Enough People," a wake-up call about the shortage of skilled labor in this decade, I urge corporate executives to sharpen their skills in leadership and drawing more from their people. "The Power of Minds at Work" is an excellent tool to build this strength.
4136418
Now I truly understand Kevin's NeverBoss approach to Leadership coaching - spot on: practical, efficient, effective. Right up to date with common-sense wisdom that reflects all we know today about great leadership. And it's far from a theoretical blue-sky think piece: it's a story that comes with tools / templates and is as easy to read as Lencioni's 5 Dysfunctions of a Team. Excellent book. Makes you wonder why leadership was so difficult before.
1810649
This is a very strong book on leadership that is much needed for our current challenges in the field. Current thought of what leadership means to organizations and leaders in most companies is no longer sufficient in our journey to become better social and organizational systems. Joe Raelin's book clearly identifies the necessary paradigm that we all need to be thinking about when we hear the word, "leadership." Leadership is for everyone - at all levels of the organization - and not just for those who lead at the top. Total cultural engagement, corporate citizenship, respectful and open communication, listening for others wisdom and truth, and collaboration define Joe's version of a leaderful organization, and it should be celebrated for years to come. Non-hierarchical ways of leadership is no longer an option - it is a strategic imperative that Joe Raelin thoughtfully and clearly articulates in this valuable addition to our leadership library.
From Chapter 1, "Leaderful practice is unique compared to empowerment models that have become popular in recent years in that it does not merely present a consultative model wherin leaders in authority allow "followers" to participate in their leadership. Nor does it equate to stewardship appraoches that see the leader step aside to allow others to take over when necessary. Instead, it offers a true mutual model that transforms leadership from an individual property into a new paradigm that redefines leadership as a collective practice."
3401938
This is one of the best books on leadership that I have ever read.
304094
This book is a must have for anyone who wishes to lead and manage others effectively!! Bill Gentry distills years of rigorous academic research and wisdom into this book and makes it accessible to practitioner in a fun, enjoyable manner. One day, we'll look upon this book as a "classic" that helps to enhance the quality of leadership and management in our organizations.