Inspiring Leadership: Learning from Great Leaders [Paperback]

John Adair (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1854182072 | ISBN-13: 978-1854182074 | Publication Date: December 2002

Who are the great leaders in history and what have they got to teach us today about the nature and practice of leadership? A wide range of inspiring leaders, from Loo Tau and Machiavelli to Thatcher and Mandela. This book is a unique approach to leadership by a writer internationally acknowledged as a major influence on leadership studies. There are key point and Points to Ponder throughout the book, helping to draw out the lessons and concepts for the reader. It features among others: Alexander the Great, Amundsen, Attila, Attlee, Bevan, Boudicca, Mike Brearley, Caesar, Churchill, de Gaulle, Einstein, Eisenhower, Elizabeth I, Gandhi, Sir Edmund Hillary, Ho Chih Min, Hsun-Tzu, Jefferson, Jesus, Jinnah, Kennedy, Lao Tzu, Lincoln, Machiavelli, Mandela, Montgomery, Mosley, Napoleon, Nehru, Nixon, Pericles, Plato, Reagan, F D Roosevelt, St Paul, Scott, Shackleton, Socrates, Washington, Wellington and Xenophon.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Adair is widely acknowledged as one of the most significant influences on management and leadership development in the world. He studied history at Cambridge University and holds higher degrees from the Universities of Oxford and London. He became the world's first Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Surrey and is internationally known as a consultant. He is the author of many respected books on management and leadership.

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Thorogood (December 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854182072
• ISBN-13: 978-1854182074
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,638,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Leadership by John Adair, May 19, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Inspiring Leadership: Learning from Great Leaders (Paperback)

In Inspiring Leadership, the author reviews some of the great leaders in history, highlighting what they have to teach us today about the nature and practice of leadership. He drew numerous examples from leaders in the military, politics, industry and the church. He explains the leadership qualities of the various leaders in depth, with due regard to the historical context. The book is essential reading for those aspiring for leadership positions in various fields.

The book explains the various concepts of leadership that were applied by successful leaders throughout history. The leadership qualities that resulted in success were explained in the context of the period of history. The author illustrates different facets of leadership, which include leadership through knowledge, the servant leader, the gentleman leader, charisma and women as leaders. He explores the very different styles of leadership of notable figures like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Alexander the Great and Hitler. He examines the cardinal qualities of inspiring, setting direction, communication and decision making as well as the values of humour, intuition and imagination.

The lessons I learnt from the book enables me to play my part in providing leadership to my subordinates and indeed provide direction to African airlines in areas of my responsibilities, namely in engineering and maintenance as well as in training. I am now aware of the deficiencies in my leadership and am now adequately equipped to provide a vision for my department, in the current highly dynamic operating conditions.