The Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership [Hardcover]

Al Gray; Paul Otte (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

"If you only look for leadership in the usual places, you will only find the usual leadership." In this breakthrough book, General Al Gray and Dr. Paul Otte provide a new model for achieving a higher level of leadership. This book validates the struggles of the Conflicted Leader - one who must lead individuals and organizations as our world moves through ever-evolving waves of change. But the authors do more than address what many leaders today are experiencing. They propose a new way of making a difference through Vantage Leadership, defined as the ability to embrace uncertainty, see the possible over the probable, remain conceptual through conflict, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is a “must read” for the serious student of leadership.” --Robert L. Bailey, Retired CEO, Chairman and President-State Auto Insurance Companies, author of PlainTalk About Leadership

“If you want to know why the Marines win—read this. You can use the same principles in your business.” --David C. Miller, Jr., Ambassador of the United States (Retired) and former Special Assistant to President George H. W. Bush

“General Gray and Dr. Otte have advanced significantly the discourse on leadership for our modern age.” --Norman G. Mosher, Capt., USN (Retired) and former Professional Staff Member, United States Senate Committee on Armed Services

About the Author

General Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret.) In 1991, General Al Gray retired from the United States Marine Corps after 41 years of service. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1950 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1952 from the rank of Sergeant. General Gray has extensive command experience with infantry, artillery, special intelligence and special operations units as well as every type of Marine Air-Ground Task Force. From 1987 to 1991, General Gray served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he served as a military advisor to the President. He institutionalized and published a warfighting philosophy for Marines and implemented a new long range strategic planning process for the Corps. General Gray is currently the Chairman of the Board for GlobeSecNine, Inc., and Chairman of Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Board of Regents. He is a former Chairman of both California Microwave, Inc., and Columbia Research Corporation and serves on several corporate boards. General Gray is currently the Chancellor of the Marine Military Academy, Chairman of the U.S. Marine Youth Foundation and Chairman of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. He also serves as a trustee for Norwich University and the American Military University where he is Chairman Emeritus. He holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from Lafayette College, Monmouth University, Norwich University and the Defense Intelligence University. Dr. Paul J. Otte In 1986, Paul Otte began serving as President of Franklin University, the largest independent institution of higher learning in central Ohio, serving nearly 10,000 students annually. Franklin University is known nationally for its relationship management approach to serving working adults through applied majors at the undergraduate level, as well as three graduate degrees, including the Vantage MBA. Founded over a hundred years ago with a mission of serving nontraditional students, today’s Franklin has a strong culture, quality curriculum developed under an innovative academic model, expanded delivery options that include a Virtual Campus and a national and global presence through its Community College Alliance and eArmy U programs. Dr. Otte also serves as Executive Director of Franklin’s Leadership Center which was created in 2004 to serve as a resource for leadership development in business, government, community, and educational institutions. Prior to joining Franklin, Dr. Otte was Vice President for Business at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan. He has taught at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit, Macomb Community College, and Franklin University. Formerly program chair for Franklin’s undergraduate Organizational Leadership major, he currently serves as a professor in the program. He once worked as CPA, but now considers himself “a recovering accountant.” He enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was seventeen, served four years, achieved the rank of Corporal, and now realizes how much the experience changed him and provided the foundation for his leadership beliefs and actions. In addition to his duties at Franklin, Dr. Otte serves as a Board Member of State Auto Mutual Insurance Company, an Advisory Board Member for R.C. Olmstead, and has served on several community and educational boards. He holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Wayne State University, a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Michigan University, and an Honorary Associate Degree from Macomb Community College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 165 pages
• Publisher: Franklin University Press (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931604045
• ISBN-13: 978-1931604048
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,424,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Do as much good as you can, for as many people as you can, for as long as you can.", July 23, 2006

By 

T. E. Engells "tengells" (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership (Hardcover)

This short work, 150 pages, is the combined effort of General Gray (former Marine Commandant) and Dr. Otte (President of Franklin University of Ohio). The thematic focus is upon their concept of Vantage leadership. That concept is defined as leading in an environment of conflicting ideas and values of the several waves of change.

The crux of the argument is that many of the concepts of maneuver warfare, as outlined in Warfighting have application in the current business environment and may help today's leaders realize success. They use an informal, almost conversational approach in their narrative, liberally including summaries and charts.

The Vantage leadership theory is fully explored, with chapter length discussions of the four waves of change as well as the "higher levels of leadership themes" defined as seeing the possible over the probable, staying focused despite uncertainty, remaining conceptual, and having commitment and a sense of presence. It is a pretty large order to fulfill in under 150 pages of text, but they do an admirable job. The use of three prologues, one at the traditional point - the beginning; another at halfway, as the bridge between the discussion of the Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership and a third in place of the epilogue, is a bit unnerving but is more stylistic than substantive criticism.

Change is common feature in all societal institutions; to effectively cope with that change is a challenge for all. This book provides you with alternative approach to coping with such change rooted in the concepts of maneuver warfare. It was a unique perspective on this fundamental challenge and may provide readers with some new approaches, concepts and principles necessary for success in the current environment of uncertainty.

It is an interesting book and a unique approach, applying maneuver warfare principles to modern leadership practice outside of a military construct. You may find some interesting guidance for common leadership problems.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership, October 23, 2007

By 

James W. Mullaney "Jim Mullaney" (Fairfield, OH) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership (Hardcover)

Excellent book! I am very impressed with the up-to-date thinking about leadership. This is an important book for all business leaders to read.
Jim Mullaney
President/CEO
Edoc Marketing Inc.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, November 9, 2006

By 

C. Stanforth (ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Conflicted Leader and Vantage Leadership (Hardcover)

This book present ideas for the next generation of leaders. a must read if your serious about leadership