Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action (Joint Publication in the Jossey-Bass Public Administration S) [Hardcover]

Robert W. Terry (Author)

Book Description

Series: Joint Publication in the Jossey-Bass Public Administration S | Publication Date: August 17, 1993

Leaders and readers--and especially those who are both--have reason to be grateful for this example of authenticity in action.
--from the foreword by Harlan Cleveland

Authentic Leadership provides a practical set of tools and guides that leaders can use to enhance their everyday leadership action. Author Robert Terry contAnds that leadership depAnds on the ability to frame issues correctly as well as an ability to call forth an authentic response to these issues. This authenticity and action joined together form a sure foundation for effective leadership.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fresh perspective on bringing people together in organizations to make something different happen. This author grapples courageously with the concept of courage and related notions about fear and violence, sacrifice and scapegoating, imitation and exposure.... He sees leadership as a remedy to we-they polarities; as an antidote to imitating, and thus, becoming, what we fear; and as the instrument, in John Gardner's recent words, of 'wholeness incorporating diversity.' The premise of this book, and its promise too, is that hard thinking occurs somewhere near the center of the human experience called leadership—and that for leaders, to propel ourselves 'beyond the comfort zone' is the beginning of wisdom. Bob Terry is well beyond the comfort zone in this revealing, often self-revealing, book. Leaders and readers—and especially those who are both—have reason to be grateful for this example of authenticity in action." —from the foreword by Harlan Cleveland

From the Inside Flap

Leadership, Robert W. Terry contAnds, is a type of action. In Authentic Leadership, he shows how this shift in perspective carries enormous consequences for consideration of courage, vision, ethics, and spirituality as they relate to leadership. Terry show that the central organizing principle of leadership is authenticity. And he shows how authenticity and action joined together form a sure foundation for effective leadership.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (August 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155542547X
• ISBN-13: 978-1555425470
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Robert (Bob) Terry was the founder of Action Wheel Leadership, Inc., a leadership architect, education and training organization, that partners with and serves both profit and not for profit organizations at the highest level of research and experienced practice. He completed over a decade as Senior Fellow and Director of the Reflective Leadership Center at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He maintained close working ties with the University, especially with the Reflective Leadership Center and the Executive Development Center at the Carlson School of Management.

Bob was known for his ability to craft long-term leadership programs inside organizations and to link skilled professionals in teams to address critical organizational issues. He also built a reputation over the years as one who brought depth of content, playful energy and an engaging sense of humor to his leadership education.

He was honored with the Gordon L. Starr Award for outstanding work with University of Minnesota students, the 1995 Ethical Leader of the Year Award from the University YMCA in Minneapolis, and the 1998 Ted Kern award by the Senior Executive Association, which represents the senior executives in the U.S. federal government. He was also selected as one of the country's 100 best educators and is included in a recent volume: Learning Journeys: Top Management Experts Share Hard-Earned Lessons on Becoming Great Mentors and Leaders, Marshall Goldsmith, editor.

Some of the challenging tasks Bob generated and was asked to tackle include:

~Create an organizational assessment tool, grounded in his research and theory that provides 360 degree feedback to organizations.

~Design long-term leadership programs inside companies that actually make a profound positive impact on the organization for the long term and address the serious emerging issue of succession planning and leadership development.

~Develop executives into an effective group that strengthens each other and builds the effectiveness of the organization and group as a whole.

~Distinguish coaching from mentoring and offer both when requested.

~Press the boundaries of spirituality in the workplace and explore theology in workplace, as a deeper alternative, without reverting to religion.

~Conduct Myers Briggs for 1000 people in the same room at the same time.

~Build a firm that can deliver the most advanced leadership design and education programs available in the United States and internationally.

~Have fun and enjoy every day.

Dr. Terry held a Ph.D. and M.A. in social ethics and public policy from The University of Chicago, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.

He authored For Whites Only, a pioneering volume on what it means to be both white and anti-racist. It sold over 250,000 copies and was required reading in the U.S. military. He also wrote Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1993) and Seven Zones For Leadership: Acting Authentically in Stability and Chaos (Davies Black, Palo Alto, CA. September, 2001) Bob's last book, On Being A Secular Theologian, remains unpublished.

Bob was also known for his extensive Moose collection, drum playing, hair cutting in his own antique barbershop, cooking and decorating, and treasuring and loving being a father to two great sons and three amazing grandchildren.
Bob died on September 20, 2002, from complications of ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 64 years old.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes us from past perspectives to leadership in action., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action (Joint Publication in the Jossey-Bass Public Administration S) (Hardcover)

Terry's book is an excellent summary of the traditional ideas about leadership combined with a new call for "authenticity." "Authentic Leadership" is a solid book for all interested in leadership and leadership development--scholars, students and practitioners. Thumbs up!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, December 15, 2007

By 

Bojinka Bishop "Professor" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action (Joint Publication in the Jossey-Bass Public Administration S) (Hardcover)

Terry was writing about leadership before it became a fad, and I believe, his book contains some fundamental ideas about leaders and leadership that are crucially important. This book is not a typical skim-it business book. It is not a personality- or trait- based leadership book. It does not frame leadership as a quick fix. Thus, I think the book requires some concentration and thought to appreciate. I believe this is a book for those who believe that leadership should mean more than getting others to follow. It addresses what good and ethical leaders need to do - and, his sub-title zeroes in on it -- that takes real courage, not just charisma. I like this book because it sets out a values-based approach to leadership.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, March 25, 2010

By 

Cary D. Holt (Oxford, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action (Joint Publication in the Jossey-Bass Public Administration S) (Hardcover)

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