Leader

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It's hard to pull off social and cultural criticism without stepping on a few toes along the way, but Miles injects his writing with the right mix of humor and satire to make for a thoroughly enjoyable romp through today's society. Actually, "thoroughly enjoyable" is just a pleasant side affect. After turning the last page, I can honestly say this book has influenced me and the way I see things more than anything I've read in the past 20 years. What a "sleeper"! I highly recommend it to anyone.

If you enjoy satire, don't miss this one. Incredibly clever and insightful, this book will have you reading and laughing and reading and laughing some more. But the book is good for more than it's many laughs. It is a compendium of satire of society's traditions, habits and belief systems. There is a serious message; and that message is what on this earth makes sense and what doesn't. It makes you wonder, will our planet ever get any better. Oh, if your legislators would only read this book. Highly recommended.

A refreshing look at the American way of life by an entity from another planet. The writing style is refreshingly thought-provoking and humorous. It covered all our human bases.

As an innovation matures, it moves from one characteristic group of adopters to another. The topics of complexity and nonlinear dynamics were initially adopted by people who were considered "outliers" by their peer group, "freaks". Such innovators are comfortable spanning across disciplinary boundaries to learn how something works. The successful diffusion of the innovation does not occur however until the innovators hand over the ideas to the change agents in the system--those individuals who are creative enough to listen to the innovators, and yet respected and legitimized enough within the system to steer collective opinion. Today complexity and nonlinear dynamics have reached that level of diffusion, and in such instances "implementation" becomes of utmost important, and such discussion of implementation is necessarily domain-specific.

Such is the nature of "Edgeware", a new book by Zimmerman, Lindberg, and Plsek. "Edgeware" is aimed at health care leaders--nurses, doctors, and administrators--who want to learn specific techniques and intervention strategies based on the premises of complexity. The book is broken up into four sections: a user-friendly primer on complexity, a summary of basic managerial principles based on complexity (e.g. "grow complex systems by chunking"), tales from the field (e.g. "Learn-as-You-Go Strategic Management", a story from University of Louisville Hospital), and Aides (e.g. "wicked questions" that surface differences in people's mental models). Additionally there is an appendix written by Adelphi professor Jeff Goldstein that provides the most effective "non-mathematical" nominal definitions of complexity terms that exists anywhere.

The book is unique in several respects. First, the authors span an intriguing experiential set. Zimmerman is an associate professor of business at York University in Toronto, and has written extensively on the "fractal" nature of organizations, and on emergent strategic planning. Lindberg directs an educational and consultative activity within VHA (Voluntary Hospitals of America, a purchasing cooperative that also engages in leadership and organizational development, and encompasses over 1400 health care providers in the U.S.), transfering the concepts of complexity into health care practice. Plsek is a former corporate quality manager at AT&T who now consults extensively in health care quality issues. Second, the book is the result of an evolutionary design process where it was given extensive "field testing" before being finalized. "Edgeware" essentially serves as the handbook for VHA's efforts to spread the concepts of complexity into practice.

Third, the book is arranged in a hypertext fashion (in fact, it is available on-line to VHA members), in a fashion similar to Senge et al's "Fifth Discipline Fieldbook". For example, references to books or articles, or principles and aides, are made in the margin of each "tale"; the book does not need to be read sequentially. Fourth, the science of the book is solid. Unlike so many other business and complexity books being published, the principles of complexity are represented faithfully. Finally, the book's section on "Aides" gives practitioners very specific advice on how to move from theory to practice, another missing element in most current business and complexity books.

This book is an excellent read and reference for anyone interested in the application of complexity principles to business and social systems.

Peter Drucker once described healthcare as the most complex of all business enterprises. So perhaps it's appropriate that the best book on the emerging science of COMPLEXITY should come out of healthcare. EDGEWARE will prove useful to managers in all industries. The book contains a primer on complexity, a set of unifying principles, practical applications, a rich bibliography, glossary and web site guide making it, page-for-page, the most valuable book to date on complexity and management.

As a journalist and business author myself, I've read virtually every book seeking to apply complexity science to strategy, work, and economics. None, I assure you, comes close to EDGEWARE in terms of sheer clarity and utility. Though solid on the theory of complexity, this book's real breakthrough in its tremendous practicality for leaders. The pages are brimming with case after case--episodes of complexity in action that inspire as well as inform. For leaders (in hospitals and anywhere else) who ask, "What do I do on Monday morning?" EDGEWARE provides literally dozens of suggestions.

Don't get me wrong. Applying complexity is hard work. No book will ever make it easy to abandon command-and-control leadership or to let organizations "play" their way into the future. But with EDGEWARE as your guide, the work will be joyous.

Dr. Calvin Miller takes perhaps "the" area in Christian ministry that ultimately advances the Kingdom of God or brings it to a potential unnecessary grinding halt. I like Dr. Miller's use of the account of King David because it addresses issues of leadership on many levels pertinent to today in a Biblical fashion. The exposition though not in scholarly terms, is satisfactory, masterful and written in a way to appeal to anyone earnestly desiring to better themselves and ultimately their quality of leadership.

Overall the spirit of the book is sincere and aims at developing leaders who are not only gifted and organized, but submitted to Christ. From the highest ranks in a church organination to the volunteer desiring to learn some excellent keys in ministry and leadership.

There are sections and areas in the book that need some development of thought. I don't disagree with the message per se, but the way it is written at times is unclear. If you tend to read a lot, you MAY be able to read what the author intends, but I don't even take that for granted, how does one really know what someone means if it isn't stated clearly?

Here's an example:

Key 1 - Fostering an Honest Service Image

Page 12, Ability vs. Sociability

Dr. Miller asks "1 Samuel 16:11 clearly show that leaders are often recluses? Are they not slow social mixers?" Well even in the context of that verse, David is tending sheep...doing his job in spite of his feelings, I'm not seeing the recluse connection so in my estimation his assessment is unsupported. Then Dr. Miller states that "leaders are to often loners" to which I expect he will explain the how's and why's of his statement.

But instead of clarifying that thought, he goes on to mention that Lincoln grieved about the American division from which I can at best conclude that "the burdens of leadership made him want to reflect which made him feel lonely"? I'm not sure if that's what he meant but lack of clarity ultimately has me drawing conclusions as to how that translates into loneliness.

He proceeds to mention Christ at Gethsemane and how it was a lifestyle of Christ to withdraw himself/creating "aloneness". The omitting of the reasons for why Christ withdrew Himself is a disservice to "Fostering on Honest Servant Image". In my Biblical studies, "loneliness" and "aloneness" aren't synonyms, and what's frustrating is that Dr. Miller doesn't enlighten my understanding either way.

Now I don't mean this in a harsh spirit, but I am interesting in HIS reasoning which is why I bought the book to begin with. There are times when I run into this throughout the book, and it may be my personality, but it's a little irritating. I appreciate well supported writing, even if I disagree with someone, but at least one is compelled to think.

In fairness, The overall material is excellent. My personal favorite section is Leadership: Coping with Difficult People. If you have been in a leadership position, the section alone is worth the price of the book. I like the fact that Dr. Miller doesn't come across as a theorist, especially in this section. Being a former pastor, he's giving you the straight scoop on the sometimes unpleasant task of dealing with personalities. His observations are right on the head.

I must bring this up as well because I feel it needs to be addressed. There are authors quoted in this book that are not evangelical, yet this book is directed at Christian leaders and I can understand how some may not be comfortable with that.(i.e. Stephen Covey - not to single him out) This is a personal thing but I think common sense has to prevail.

Honestly, I don't personally fundamentally agree with Covey's personal beliefs either, However, Covey is a brilliant author and has good insight. I feel silly for even bringing this up but this is an issue of common sense. In other words, if it bothers you that badly, read the parts that are helpful and skip the one's that bother you. It would be shameful to miss out on this wonderful book just because you may see a name whose views you don't agree with.

Really there is so much interesting and useful material this is one that you will find yourself refering back to over and over again! It is good, useful wisdom for being a quality leader and person. I believe there's a transformation awaiting if this material is taken to heart.

Don't let the title "10 to Keys to Servant Leadership" fool you. "The Empowered Leader" by Calvin Miller is a book with genuine depth and insight. He makes you take a long hard look at your own leadership. Miller has not written a "how to" manual for "would be" leaders but he has written words to awaken the leadership potential of those already called to lead. The author tells us, "Whatever leadership is, it is not a hankering after success. Leadership lies in a hunger to understand and make the world a better place."

King David is the example. Thought his life you will learn ten valuable keys to the life of a servant leader, which include: fostering an honest servant image; learning the art of self-perception; networking; vision; decision making; defining, structuring, and motivating; the politics of grace and the abuse of power; and coping with difficult people. The book is not just geared for pastors, but for any leader wanting to lead from a Christian worldview. I recommend "The Empowered Leader" to all God called leaders.

Calvin Miller offers a very readable and informative look at 10 essential principles of leadership, using King David as the paradigm of a "godly leader." These principles include self-perception, networking, vision, decision, etc... Also includes useful illustrations and diagrams. This book is a handy reference not only for pastors, but for any Christian in a leadership role.

Tis is an excellent book for explaining leadership principles, based on the ultimate test of leadership-combat.
The book compiles lists of leadership traits and practices from some of the leading military manuals and strategists to create a terrific reference source. It makes suggestions on how to create a self-evaluation list for measuring one's leadership skills, knowledge and abilities and how to improve them.
As a former Marine NCO, I still use the techniques and understanding from the Corps. THis book is an outstanding refresher course or it stands alone for everyone.

Patrick Townsend and Joan Gebhardt draw on all the available sources (big industry and the military) to create a book full of leadership skills that is in an easy-to-read format and very practical to use. If you are a leader or a follower, this book is a must read. I am a student of leadership (Navy Officer with 17 years experience) and I have never read a finer book. Get it, read it, and then read it again!

Too many people think that leaders can only be born, not trained and/or nurtured. It's a good thing that the US Marine Corps does not believe this. If they had not trained leaders, I would have grown up in New Tokyo, instead of Los Angeles.

Forget the stereotypes and take advantage of 2,000+ plus years experience of studying leadership and training leaders.

After 6 years of college and 19 years as an engineer/project manager, I have read many books on leadership. Net: This is the best book on people & leadership I have ever read, and Hal Shook is a true American icon. I have worked with many leaders, some excellent and some right out of Dilbert. This book reminds me of the excellent leader, one who can create a win-win scenario for both employees AND customers. The leaders and companies who implement the Flying Spirit formula will have employees delighted to come to work. This is a MUST READ.

Flying Spirit is a very good book to add to one's portfolio of resources relating business performance to organizational dynamics. What leaders and managers often fail to recognize is the relationship between product and people. And that to achieve outstanding performance requires that business understand that goals and objectives are only achieved through people.

Another vital concept that Flying Spirit speaks to is the alignment of organizational and individual mission-values-players. In great organizations, there is an alignment of shared purpose. The real differentiation among companies is alignment, look at Southwest Airlines as a model for this.

Hal Shook takes these principles and shows how they worked for him in the military. Good story telling with a key component of execution, making it all happen.

This is a working book. For me highlighted, tabbed and underlined. Very readable. Flying Spirit is an excellent addition to ones "tool kit" for moving organizational leadership and management into the 21st century.

It takes a special outlook to draw lessons from life experience, and a rarer genius still to share the benefits of these lessons with other people. Hal Shook has done both by translating lessons learned in the air to those which can be applied on the ground. It shows you how to walk the talk of leadership where it matters most, in organizational life. Flying Spirit is a flight manual for the workplace, addressing critical issues from values and mission to alignment, problem solving, and team effort, demonstrating that organizations are made of, by, and for people. While the book claims to be a leader's guide to creating great organizations, the underlying message is empowerment of the individuals and teams that make up the organization.

A common complaint of job seekers and leaders alike is that you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. Experience is the said to be a poor teacher, because it gives the test before the lesson. Flying Spirit gives you both at the same time, through vivid anecdotes from the author's experience, concise questions to focus your thinking, useful reference charts, and interactive exercises that translate ideas into action.

After reading this book it will never be so easy to blame the boss or the system, because it shows how adversarial thinking works against everyone. The challenge will be how to apply it where you work, even if it means having to change the place that you work. Wherever you work, this book will show you how to get more out of your work than just a paycheck.

I first met Hal & Marilyn Shook over 20 years ago, attending their course in Career and Life Planning, which they still offer through their company, Life Management Services. The emphasis of the course at that time was individual job search and career development, and I remember thinking at the time that this course empowered individuals to use the same tools of creative strategic planning that organizations used. In Flying Spirit it is as if the tools of career and life planning have been boldly reapplied at the organizational level, so that everyone wins.

An organization imbued with Flying Spirit will have no problem attracting good people. I would like to see individuals encouraged to expect this kind of approach from the organizations they work for. Some things are worth driving a hard bargain for, and this book shows why.

This interesting work is a collection of essays by some of the world's most respected leadership thinkers. Contributors include Charles Handy, James O'Toole, Thomas Stewart, Tom Peters, Barry Posner and James Kouzes. These essays were first presented at a special conference held to honor Warren Bennis. Organizers labeled the conference a festschrift, a German word for a volume of essays assembled by colleagues to be a tribute to a renowned scholar. The essays were edited and divided into five parts:

1. Setting the Stage for the Future.

2. The Organization of the Future

3. The Leader of the Future.

4. How Leaders Stay on Top of Their Game.

5. Insights from Young Leaders.

The result is an insightful examination on the state of leadership today and the challenges it can expect to experience in the future. For example, Bennis writes the first essay and presents a number of challenging issues, including the widening disparity of talent among income levels, growing demographic changes between young and old and balancing the demands of work and home. James O'Toole looks at the organization of the future and remarks that leaders should view their tasks "as creating the systems under which others would be encouraged to do all the things that typically end up on the desk of the do-it-all leader."

The Future of Leadership is a comprehensive examination of leadership today and tomorrow provided by a number of insightful modern day thinkers. It asks some judicious questions and dares to look into the future with assurance and confidence. Some essays are better written than others, but every reader will find some valuable material and learn a new perspective from its pages.

The Germans call it a festschrift - a book stemming from the celebration honoring a renowned scholar, in this case Warren Bennis. The luminaries (including Bennis himself) who gathered in May 2000 at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business for this festschrift offer 19 thoughtful chapters on leadership issues. In fact, the consistent quality and creativity may pleasantly surprise you. The only exception is an imaginative, but shallow and self-absorbed clunker from Tom Peters. We [...] recommend this thought-provoking collection to students and practitioners of the mysterious art of inspiring others to follow.

This work is a tribute to Warren Bennis, a celebration of his career. In praising him, he challenged those around him to address issues that continue to interest and perplex him. And, despite his years of experience and two million books of his own in print, the questions that remain are often simple and profound.

Answering these questions are top researchers, professors, commentators and consultants. The variety of authors provides a rich tapestry of information, experiences and opinions. What are the keys to great leadership? What makes one high-performing team do great things (The Manhattan Project) and another perpetrate evil (The Final Solution)? As the percent of one's life likely to be engaged in full-time employment declines (from 50 of 68 years in 1960 to 38 of 76 years today), how does this affect the way we lead and live? What happens when good leaders go bad? Is leadership aptitude widely distributed or possessed by a select few? Are business schools up to the task of developing the management and leadership talent for tomorrow?

Given the approximately hundreds of articles and dozens of books on leadership published each year, you might expect to have had these answers or at least these questions raised before. "The future of leadership" offers a fresh, readable perspective, for the business student and the manager. Sure, you might quibble with the eclectic responses and styles of this broad spectrum of authors, but the quality lies in their diversity.

This book is an excellent source for teachers. A quote for the day from the book posted on the whiteboard at the front of the classroom serves as a springboard for discussion. The quote can be selected to reinforce a point to be made that day or it can be selected at random. Even if the quote is not discussed in class, it is read by all. The short, one page discussion related to the quote contained in the book is an excellent source for examples to be used in class. The book is an excellent tool to teach ethics and morals.

An excellent format of bringing words of wisdom, inspirational for all leaders, together with a complementing verse from the bible and showing how the inter woven concept relates to a real life, one page story. The format of words of wisdom and bible verse on the left panel and the one page story on the right panel is an excellent way to present each concept. Each concept could be used for a prelude to a meeting or for a topic of a speech. After reading the book through once, one is inspired to start back through the book and employ adopting a concept-a-day approach for the next 160 plus days. Sure do hope that this is BOOK ONE of a series of God's Little Devotional Book for Leaders.

An excellent reminder/re-inforcer of focus on what matters in bite-sized brief statements, with one-line biblical quotes in support. Time-honored truths that inspire and lend guidance and clear vision toward honorable ends. For all denominations and the non-religious.

Have you ever looked at Jesus Christ in a way much deeper than in the scriptures? A fire that lights up your soul. Such a romance with the Lord as if you have truly known him and walked with him. You have an open invitation to be part of it. 'Jesus One and Only' is that intimate look at the life of Christ. Beth Moore interweaves her own experiences with the Gospel of Luke to give you more brand new insights of the One who is the greatest best friend that you'll ever have. You can hear God speak to you in Beth's words, his caring, loving words to get you to fall in love with Jesus of Nazareth. Walk with him on the dusty roads of Israel, listen to him on a hillside teaching, encounter Him at the dinner table with sinners, or walks on the raging waves and calms the storm . Like the ragamuffin band of followers some 2,000 years ago, you will not be the same. As you read you will you come to know just how much He longs to be close to you. Moore is a wonderful and God-gifted writer. And she makes the gentle, loving Savior so irresistable who couldn't be changed after reading this. It's a much to read all her books. I recommend 'Things Pondered' and 'To Live is Christ.' She's truly one blessed writer, public speaker and teacher. Like to know more about her work? Visit-BethMoore.org.

Beth Moore speaks directly to the heart and soul with this illuminating, stunning book about Jesus Christ. Could not put it down! A must-read for anyone searching to know more about this wonderful, visionary leader. Jesus Christ gave us more than just the Gospels, He gave us Himself! Beautifully-written, well-researched, and irresistable.

This touching, unique book written by Beth Moore has cut deeply into my heart. Through this perfectly layed out book, Moore brings the reader through a realistic adventure about the life of Jesus Christ. She reveals many truths about Jesus' life that we overlook when reading the Bible's facts about His life. Moore's insightful words are refreshing, freeing, and eye-opening. This book touched my heart softly and intimately, bringing me closer to the loving and graceful heart of my Savior Jesus Christ. The realistic views and the heartfelt moments that the reader enters with this book are life changing and freeing. Anyone who has ever wanted a closer look at the life of Jesus and a deeper touch of His unconditional love should readh this book. I absolutely love and adore this book.

The book gives a thorough discussion on the PRACTICAL implementation of the Transactional Ananlysis "I am OK, You are OK" theory.

It is therefore a must read if you are into Transaction Analysis or you just want to imporve your leadership skill.

Please remember to come back to give this review a vote after you have purchased the book and have read it form cover to cover.

P.

Dr. Gordon lays the foundation for successful leadership. His book describes the very basics that must be mastered by leaders who wish to be effective. The L.E.T. tells you how you aquire followers and what turns off your subordinates. He describes listening techniques as no one else has ever done. If you only purchase one book on leadership this should be the one.

Dr. Gordon's pioneering book "Group-Centered Leadership" was published in 1955. Later he wrote best selling "Parent Effectiveness Training," highly praised Teacher Effectivess Training and this leadership book. I still believe Gordon is one of the most influential thinkers on the topic of working well with others. His "No-Lose" method was later re-invented as the "Win-Win" method of problem solving. Learning his active listening method and using it for the past 30 years has been the most valuable tool I've had in becoming a successful parent, spouse and business person. I've solved many problems by doing nothing except listen to others. I've also mediated many crisis situations for global companies and health organizations by teaching and using active listening with those involved in the conflicts.

Tom Gordon has a unique skill - being able to provide clear and concise models to complex human interactions. His needs-based approach to conflict resolution has been consistently reinforced by research. His listening skill approach is the best, a reflection of his work with Dr. Carl Rodgers at the University of Chicago.

If a leader wants to build their interpersonal skills and strengthen work relationships - i.e. build their "emotional quotient (EQ)" - this is the book for them.

I was first introduced to Gordon's approach a couple of years ago. Sceptical at first, I took the time to read the book and found it very compelling. I immediately tried to apply the lessons at home and found success early in spite of the fact that some of the methods felt foriegn to me. The book and Gordon's philosophy are built on a model that respects the needs of both parties and that mutual respect becomes the foundation of a productive leader-follower relationship. The skills presented include active listening to help others, confrontive I-messages to help one's self and conflict resolution methods to build win-win solutions. Unlike other books on leadership, this book reads like a training program. You immediately know what to do with the information. I am a better leader, husband and father for having read the book and applied the approach.

Since then, I attended an L.E.T. program as a participant and an L.E.T. train the trainer program. I have now taught the course to dozens of grateful participants. It has become the foundation course in leadership at my company and has had a very positive impact on our culture. We are more productive and people are treated with more dignity and respect.

This is the long-awaited update of the 1977 version of L.E.T. Dr. Gordon is a pioneer in teaching leaders to sharpen their most important skills: how to communicate, how to resolve conflicts so that no party loses, how to handle meetings, and provides an alternative to unproductive performance reviews.

Now that the economic (and political) future of the world seems so uncertain, this book is all the more timely and important. In fact, after September 11, nothing seems more important than improving our ability to resolve conflicts peacefully. Dr. Gordon - who is known for this book and his books for parents (P.E.T) and teachers (T.E.T.) - was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize because of how his work benefits our world.

But besides the high falutin' ideals about conflict resolution and its importance to the world, L.E.T. is all about skills that make your work easier, more productive and more rewarding. What this book does is simultaneously keep both feet firmly planted in two different worlds (a goal most business books don't even dream of achieving): it's both a life-changing philosophy of human relations and a book to give you and your company a competitive advantage.

I've been using this system for a few years now and it really works. It's not a magic cure, and it takes a commitment to learn and put the skills to use, but it's such a worthwhile payoff: problems with other people still pop up, but I don't get stuck dealing them like I used to and my blood pressure doesn't go nuts. Also, the communication and problem-solving skills you learn aren't ones you're able to just turn off and leave at the office -- they have a habit of insinuating themselves (and improving your relationships) when dealing with friends, spouses, kids.

Don't let the fact that this is a new version of a book that was originally published in 1977 keep you from buying it. Its concepts are universal and timeless. Lots of other books on leadership have come and gone in 25 years; there's definitely a good reason why this one's still around.

L.E.T. makes a great companion to Steven Covey's 7 Habits (another fine book, though it's not as straightforward and skill-laden as this one).