Leader

The book is so well done, but the talking book is far better. You enter the jounery with them. You hear the wisdom of the spirtiually elders and long with the creaking of the doors and beatiful pow-wow/drumming in the background. You get a great opportunity to hear the calling of the eagle out of the sky at wounded knee that was prayered out of the sky by Frank Fools Crow. The best part that makes me laugh is when Steve Wall and Harvey Arden go and see one of the elders. Steve doesn't have a chance to go into his spell when the elder tells them I know why you are here you lost your orginial instructations. Also when they go and see charlie Knight and he asks them each time when Ya Leavein.

As it seems many.. many. yeasrs ago it seems the thought of me reading this book aloud in front of Chris and BJ, i thought of how this man had entered a world so special and brought it back to all of us with a carizma only Steve Wall and Harvey Arden can bring you ,A tale of watermelon and cowboy hats,sights beheld in your minds true eye and the love that we all share ...and how thankful we are to have had them share it with us on the lakes Denver.NC. Tacowa-tuks and all:)................

This is a book of incredible beauty - linguistically, visually, and spiritually. In an era which seems to skew more and more to the material and superficial, the Wisdomkeepers who are interviewed bring life and its challenges to the level of essence. Although I have walked in the daily company of Native Americans for more than fifty years, my understanding of the nobility of heritage and centered life grew immeasurably with the reading of every page. Anyone who passes this one up will be the lesser for doing so.

Leaders struggle today with the volume and complexity of human relationships as well as the aspects of their jobs that don't directly involve people. Increasing demands challenge us with continual complications, too many choices, speed of change and action, and the sense of being caught in a whirlwind that defies the concept of life-work balance. We're expected to have all the answers, preferably before anyone else thinks about asking the questions.

Combine this gerbil-in-a-cage metaphor with the uncomfortable fact that most leaders haven't learned enough about leadership, and you have a dangerous combination. What is leadership? How is it different from being a manager? How can leaders keep their finger on the pulse of what's happening, inspire others to high achievement, guide their team members through difficult decisions, and still have time to actually finish a cup of coffee while it's still warm?

The solution is disarmingly simple: Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Ask some more questions. Give good answers to questions asked by others.

Easier said than done. There's an art to effective move-us-forward questions and answers. The secrets are in Chris Clarke-Epstein's book. She provides us with 78 valuable questions, but doesn't stop there. In addition to gaining a fine list of questions , we benefit from an explanation of the importance of the question, how to ask it well, and what might be accomplished through the questioning technique. The style is friendly, conversational, and supportive, seasoned with short stories or vignettes that illustrate the many helpful suggestions and observations offered by the author.

The book's chapters are organized to categorize the questions and the commentary surrounding them. The first category, presented after a few pages of positioning, addresses questions leaders need to ask themselves. Chapter 2 presents questions leaders need to ask customers. The third and fourth chapters explore questions to be asked of employees-lots of creative stuff here.

In Chapter 5, we ponder questions to be asked in special situations: new employees, coaching and mentoring, newly promoted leaders, and crisis. Questions leaders need to answer are followed by answers for special situations. What a handbook! You can read this book straight through as I did, or use it for reference (as I will). The last chapter talks about delivering tough answers, sometimes a difficult proposition for leaders. More questions are suggested in the appendix and a website has been established to continue the question-building process. An index facilitates reference. The Suggested Reading list is a bonus.

The book is peppered with quotes about questions and answers that reinforce the points and/or give the reader something more to think about. At the end of each chapter are questions and worksheets for the reader, encouraging some deeper thinking and reflection. Overall, a worthwhile book for leaders-and aspiring leaders-to read, absorb, and keep handy.

If someone had handed this book to me the day before my first leadership role, I would have been better at my job.

If I had read this book before the big crisis in my organization, I would have handled things differently, and been more effective.

If I had put to the test the questions that Chris Clarke-Epstein writes about, I would have been more satisfied with my work as a leader...and stayed with it.

This book is extremely readable, and yet challenging. It made me look at leadership not as a mantle to wear, but rather as a process of becoming. The act of questioning - in reality of questing - for what you, your organization, your employees, and your customers want, need, and desire is laid out with specific things to ask, and how to answer them.

78 Important Questions does not come with an answer section like a 10th Grade textbook. This is the kind of book where you have to find your own answers. Good thing the leader of the journey intersperses advice, stories, and encouragement in between queries.

I don't think this is a book for the feint of heart. If you're the kind of leader who basks in the status quo, then stay away. If however, you're not afraid of some work, of some personal soul-searching, and if you embrace change as a way to stay alive in business, then you need these 78 Important Questions.

Not until I read Chris Clarke-Epstein's book did I realize how important it is for leaders to ask good questions. I great resource for how to build relationships and develop leadership skills. A quick read, a must read, for all leaders who want to be more effective.

Advanced squad leader is the best example of a War board game at the squad level. This is only the rule book and does not come with the items to actually play the game. I suggest you get the game module Paratroopers(2nd Edition), this module is intended for people who used to play regular squad leader or our just new to the whole game system. It is very complicated but if you take your time to use the training manual and play the scenarios, you will pick up the basic rules quickly.
Get together with some friends and play it, the Prisoner

This is a set of rules for Advanced Squad Leader, a tactical level simulation of WWII land combat. The rules are daunting, but the game is so deep and satisfying that the effort to learn is worth it. However, it is much easier to learn the game from an experienced tutor than by simply reading the rules. The game pieces and mapboards are purchased separately in modules which include different nationalities or theaters of the war. Every type of small unit action can be recreated- from armored combat on the East Front to cave busting in the Pacific.

Advanced Squad Leader is a game simulating squad level combat during World War II. It is a great game but the rules are over 200 pages long and complex. This "book" listed above is only the rule book. You must also purchase separately "Beyond Valor" which includes the game boards and pieces.

I read "Awaken the Leader Within" while I was doing research for my tape series "Jesus and the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership." This is an excellent book and provided me with many wonderful insights. If you are searching for a book that is well written, fun to read, and filled with pointed and practical insights about leadership, you'll love this book. In fact, you'll probably find yourself referring others to it.

I have read many dozens of books on leadership, but this book provides more sound, practical advise to help everyone be a leader wherever they are.

It focuses on character as the most important characteristic of effective leaders. They are trustworthy, transparent, honest, have vision and encourage others to go with them.

Other sections include: "Humble leaders rely on God for his strength and guidance. Accomplished leaders know that commitment eventually leads to success. Prudent leaders know their weaknesses and fortify them. Inspirational leaders infect their team with a compelling vision of the future. Wise leaders consistently make good decisions. Victorious leaders know how to build a team that's greater than the sum of its parts. Creative leaders know how to facilitate innovation. Great leaders know how to give away honor. "

The references are excellent and I am meeting with a group of men weekly to study the book using the study guide that is included.

As the general manager of a high technology company with global operations, I found Bill's insights to be very thought provoking. Bill clearly communicates with helpful and humorous illustrations essential elements of practical leadership for today. For example, Bill acknowledges we are in a world of breakneck change and shows that leaders must be change masters to help their teams thrive. This is a book any leader would find helpful whether you're in a corporate, non-profit, community, sacred or secular leadership position. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and colleagues.

This story of transformation is a juwel of profound and timeless wisdom being practically applied to business, leadership and coaching. It shows a way out of the present days miseries in both corporate and private life. Here is a bright and realistic vision for individuals, business leaders, organizations, nations and our planet as a whole, presented in the form of a most catching and touching story. This is a precious piece of exquisite literature for our new century. It should be made an obligatory textbook in all business schools.

It was phenomenal!  I read it in one sitting.  It was engrossing, thought-provoking and a very compelling look at business values.  I would love to see a series of such books on a variety of specific topics.  The fictional character interwoven with relevant teachings is a format that needs to continue.

Kevin Cashman's book is a classic. It combines his soulful insights about authentic leadership with a gripping and realistic tale of the realities confronted by a contemporary executive torn between the bottom line and what's really important in leadership and life.It addresses the greed seeking, short term focus and trends so prevalent in executive suites today. If you are a father and a results driven executive you'll weep when you read this book. I did. IT'S A SINGULAR CLARION CALL JUST WHEN WE NEED IT THE MOST.

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: The Struggle Intensifies is the second installment of a four volume set about the Civil War written by eyewitnesses to the battles described. This series opened with "The Opening Battles," this volume is "The Struggle Intensifies," next is "The Tide Shifts," and the final volume is "Retreat with Honor." As with the first volume, the second has well written accounts of the battles fought as it opens with the capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia and next with New Orleans.

We begin to see the strategy emerge as point and counterpoint in these battles play out. There is a summary of why there were operations in the far Southwest along with accounts of the Virginia battles of Yorktown and Williamsburg, but there is more as the Peninsular Campaign intensifies. The second battle of Bull Run is well represented here and there are excellent maps, charts, and engravings by the most prominent artists of that era. This said, you'll find that reading these very interesting accounts will bring emotions to the forefront, just as these men were experiencing them first hand. Acoounts of both view points are presented... South and North are fairly represented.

I found that Brigadier-General John D. Imboden, C.S.A. as he relates Stonewall Jackson's accounts in the Shenandoah to be priceless giving this volume balance. And of course there is Lee's campaign opposing Pope which is enlightening to say the least.

If you read about the Civil War, this series of books is a must for your library and is ideal for reference when reading other works about this tumultuous time in our history. These volumes are recognized as an outstanding account of the history of this war that writer use for reference... now you can read what that person wrote about his account first hand.

This volume (#2) is one of a four volume set - and each is invaluable to understanding what really happened during the various campaigns. The books are a compilation of articles and letters first published in "Century" magazine in the 1870's and 1880's by the editors of that same magazine. In addition, there are numerous DETAILED maps - even down to the placement of individual artillery batteries, photographs, and sketches from the time. Further, the editors have numerous footnotes, which are extremely helpful in presenting evidence and/or additional information concerning events. The articles were all written by men, generals and privates alike, who were there, who took part. This is source material, the unvarnished truth as they saw it. It is sometimes serious, sometimes poetic, sometimes even humorous, yet always extremely interesting. One caution: Ned Bradford's book of the same name is a CONDENSED version of these 4 volumes and is a very poor substitute for this 4-volume set. As a Civil War "buff" of 25 years, I consider this some of the best reading I have ever come across. (If you ever visit a particular battlefield, these books are the only ones you will need to bring along.) This series of 4 books is something that you will read with delight - and refer to again and again.

I have the 1956 version of this book called, "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: North to Antietam" - one of the most captivating books on the Civil War that I have ever read. This book is simply the lastest publication of the same book. The book, one of a 4-volume set, is composed of articles and letters published in "The Century Magazine" from 1865 to about 1885 - all by Civil War participants (mostly generals, with the occasional private, colonel, major mixed in). Through their eyes you get the battle as they saw it: "close up and personal". The editors (who were also the editors of "The Century Magazine" in the 1880's) have extensive footnotes to clarify and/or correct information in the authors' articles, plus numerous maps and photographs of the scenes (in the 1860's and 1880's). The maps are invaluable to the reader, showing in great detail the positions of even regiments and artillary batteries. This information proved most useful when I recently visited the South Mountain and Antietam battlefields in person. Using the maps I could pinpoint and follow troop movements with little or no guess-work. This book is a great reference and a fun read. It is full of "what happened", not "what should/might/could have happened"; and, as such, it is most refreshing. (I might add that some parts are actually entertaining and often very amusing.) I recommmend it most highly. P.S.S, Millbury, Mass.

Bruce Winston has written a book that should be required reading for anyone seriously interested in the attributes of leadership. He sheds new light and depth to what leadership is all about from a Christian perspective. Even if you're not a Christian, you can learn volumes from this book which should become a text for becoming a better person and leader. I only wish I had read this book years earlier, as it could have made the years of frustration trying to figure out what works and what doesn't quite a bit easier. My advice...buy this book, read it and apply the principles contained within. You will find, like I did, that you'll become a more effective leader and your life will be enriched as well.

Bruce Winston captures a new way of looking at both secular and Christian leadership. He uses principles from the Bible to capture leadership practices that are universal and cross-cultural. I highly recommend this reading to leaders of all organizations who care about sucess with integrity. I use this book in all of my leadership classes.

"Be A Leader for God's Sake" examines leadership from a Biblical perspective. In it, Winston draws from the Beatittudes and the Sermon on the Mount to provide a basis for how leaders should behave toward those under their authority.

The book is revolutionary in that it challenges the way leaders have been taught to think. Winston takes the words of Jesus and applies them in a practical manner to how leader's operate in today's organizations. He points to qualities often lacking in leadership, such as being teachable, exercising controlled discipline, and extending mercy when employees make mistakes.

"Be A Leader for God's Sake," is an asset to both those in positions of leadership and those under the authority of leaders.

Highly enjoyed this book from Jossey-Bass because it clearly lays out the relevant issues involved in leadership development and training. It's concise and gives plenty of case examples. This would be an excellent purchase.

Also recommend a superb book our company uses for leader training - because it teaches managers very easily: "The Leader's Guide: 15 Essential Skills."

Stretching beyond the confines of books devoted solely to leadership theory, "Building Leaders" combines a conceptual understanding of corporate leadership development with the nuts and bolts of it all. Through impressive case studies of significant companies, Conger and Benjamin provide a blueprint for the design and execution of leadership development programs. If you are at all interested in understanding what will, in the future, distinguish those companies that survive from those that do not, you must read this book.

Unlike a like of so-called leadership books, this one seems like it was actually written in the 1990s. No out-of-date references to "successes" like Wang computers or Saturn autos. Lot of Gen-X stuff. An easy read.

The Courageous Follower is one of the most important books on leadership I've ever read. It is clear that in one way or another, we ALL face the challenges of leadership, perhaps daily. However, it is rare that someone who has been designated a 'leader' considers that they are also a follower with a 'constinuency' - someone they answer to. This book discusses principles designed to encourage the follower AND leader to become assertive, communicative and accountable. Bravo to these brave authors for enlightening us to the art of followership!

This book covers the dynamics of interpersonal relations in the workplace, and focuses on courageous followership that allows conflict to be kept at a minimum and problem solving to be kept at a maximum. The book is based upon values, but it also aptly answers the question of how to earn a living, be productive, and be companionable all at the same time. I read the 1995 edition of this book in 1996, after having 10 years experience in graduate school and the working world. My experience during that time was to live with integrity and sincerity, but I was surprised at the number of people who could not tutor and teach a young adult bouncing around finding his/her way. Determined to do better myself, I continued my professional development and was pleasantly surprised by the first edition, which was a simply written and simply outstanding book on how to act simply professionally. This newest edition continues to describe values allowing people at all organizational levels to act with integrity and sincerity. I have had the opportunity to tutor several people in my newest job, and have done so in a self-effacing and person-centered manner incumbent upon a courageous follower.

Our society's focus on the top dog and our incessant desire to "develop the leader" has left our organizations developing only the management and then blaming leadership when the follower doesn't follow. It's time to re-define the importance and responsibility of the follower. This book is a beautiful, well-written and much-needed approach to defining the leader-follower relationship and the importance of this relationship to the organization. I highly recommend this book for anyone who finds themselves wondering what their role as a follower should be and how to develop the people in your staff who are doing the following.

The book is a fusion of both cookery and history. In it, there is a beautiful pictorial glimpse of the women in Asia. I can vividly see and start to understand how their lives are affected by differing cultures, lifestyles and experiences. The reading experience is unique because we are also given a diverse range of food recipes to literaly taste the different cultures. Well done!

This is the kind of feminism we have been looking for! Our bra burining sisters of the sixties had their hearts in theright place but the stories of some of these incredible women in this book give the term amazing grace a whole new meaning for me. wonderful book.

When I first read about this book in the papers I picked it up for my mom but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down myself! Great stories written from the heart and with a lot of heart plus great pix from around the South East Asian region. I loved the introductory story about the author's grandmother as I felt she was talking about my own grandma, who was a great unifier of the family when she was alive and a great cook as well. A definite must on this year's Christmas list for all my female friends. Good job!