How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development [Hardcover]

John Adair (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2005

"Authoritative & wise" -- Warren Bennis "John Adair is without doubt one of the foremost thinkers on leadership in the world" -- Sir John Harvey-Jones There is a revolution underway. We are moving -- rapidly in some areas, slower in others -- from management to business leadership. As the market for good leaders who can achieve results increases, so-called leadership development programs have proliferated. Many of these are old management development programs renamed, and others are full of confusing theories and unproductive approaches. This ground-breaking new book aims to set the record straight. It looks at the body of knowledge on leadership, identifies the seven key principles of leadership development, and answers key questions on how to select, train and educate leaders. In "How to Grow Leaders," John Adair continues to inspire new audiences with his timeless vision. A vital addition to the debate on leadership from a true expert, this book also considers the global challenge and long term issues involved.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Authoritative, combative and thought-provoking." -CPO Agenda, Summer 2005 "This thought provoking and highly readable book underpins Adair's position as a world renowned authority on the subject of leadership...one motivational course readers can undergo from the comfort of their own armchair." -Asian Voice, June 2005 "Distils a lifetime of reflective thought and action." -Professional Manager, July 2005 "A ground-breaking new book from acknowledged expert John Adair, aims to set the record straight on leadership development." -Commerce & Industry, July 2005 "Using elegant, thoughtful prose enhanced with apt anecdotes and quotations, Adair establishes seven key principles of leadership development...John Adair is marching to his rightful place at the head of the leadership pack. A must read." -www.getabstract.com "A revealing book that will help readers to develop leadership skills in others and guide them towards personal excellence as a leader." -Business Executive, Autumn 2005 "How to Grow Leaders will help readers develop skills in others whilst guiding them in their own personal journey towards excellence as a leader." -South Wales Evening Post, October 2005 "Leadership is not a soft skill: it is a key factor in business success. This book will help readers to develop these skills in others, whilst guiding them on their own personal journey towards excellence as a leader." -Manager, October/November 2005 "The father of modern leadership theory in the UK... sets out practical and realistic theories and strategies underpinned by examples from his lifetime of involvement with leadership education. The book is full of sound theories and is a good overview of leadership theory." Edge, November 2005 "Extends a framework of leadership exploring leadership qualities, differentiation of leader and manager levels of leadership through group or functional, qualities and situational approaches." Emerald Journal, 2006

About the Author

John Adair the world's first Professor of Leadership Studies (at the University of Surrey), is an acknowledged authority on leadership development. The author of many books and articles on leadership, he has significantly evolved the debate as to what effective leadership is all about. He continues to write, teach and consult throughout the world, inspiring new audiences with his timeless vision of leadership.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kogan Page Business Books (July 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749443634
• ISBN-13: 978-0749443634
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Developing Leadership Talent, February 22, 2007

By 

Elijah Chingosho "Dr Elijah Chingosho" (Nairobi, Kenya) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development (Hardcover)

This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book on leadership development by a world renowned leadership guru. In "How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development", John Adair outlines the various theories, approaches and concepts of leadership development and training and distils them into seven key principles of leadership development. Using his wide and deep knowledge and expertise in the leadership field, he explains how organisations can recruit, select, train, and develop leaders who are capable of formulating and articulating a shared vision for their organisations or units, motivate people and facilitate the achievement of organisational, team and individual goals.

I was particularly impressed by the gracious and thorough acknowledgments in the book of the thinking and research of others. Even when the authors point out the weaknesses and limitations of a particular piece of work, they praise the positive aspects of that work in kind and thoughtful ways. This is one of the few academic books I have read that took such a considerate approach.

The book beautifully elaborates on the thinking processes that companies use to grow leaders so as to achieve competitive advantage I use the book as a quick reference guide and I find it very useful and helpful. This book carries pertinent information, but it is organised and written in such a way that is easily digestible. The book is recommended as a resource kit for the leadership trainer or aspiring leaders.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with Knowledge!, August 30, 2005

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development (Hardcover)

Rarely does a revolutionary write the history of his own revolt. However, that's exactly what John Adair does in this book. Adair is respected internationally in the field of leadership. His 1968 classic, `Training for Leadership', was a pioneering volume on leadership development. Although his work initially received relatively little attention in the U.S., it contributed to the current "leadership revolution," which has had a powerful impact on how companies train leaders. Today, in part thanks to Adair and others like him, companies no longer assume that "you either have it or you don't" when it comes to leadership potential. They are more willing to accept the idea that managers can be leaders, too, and should be trained for that role. Adair's book doesn't just peer in the rearview mirror of history - it casts a steady, discerning gaze at the road ahead as well. Using elegant, thoughtful prose enhanced with apt anecdotes and quotations, Adair establishes seven key principles of leadership development. His intriguing conclusion: while companies may mold the raw material of leadership, only societies and families can actually provide it. If "lead, follow or get out of the way" is your motto, we say have confidence - John Adair is marching to his rightful place at the head of the leadership pack. A must read.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Leadership book of all times!, November 9, 2006

By 

Timothy K. Baize - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development (Hardcover)

If read carefully! Will change your leadership style!