Customer Reviews

Lead On: A Practical Guide to Leadership

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A perfect book for those frustrated by leadership gospel that preaches all sorts of feel-good nonsense with little or no practical application. Admiral Oliver spells out what Leadership is really all about in candid style that ANY motivated manager (military or civilian) could identify with. Its not strewn with political correctness and he tackles the taboo topics of winning, losing, pressure, risk, etc., with practical eloquence. If you can identify with his line "I would prefer a tiger of any breed than the purist of Merino sheep" you'll love this book. FINALLY! Too bad its out of print, but find a way to buy it. I'd sell you mine, but it's worth far too much.

This is one of the finest leadership books you will ever read. RAdm. Oliver uses stories from his experience in the Nuclear Submarine Service of the United States Navy to set forth vital principles of leadership applicable to a variety of endeavors. This book should be required reading for anybody tasked with leading people in life-threatening jobs. As a career firefighter and student of public administration, I found RAdm. Oliver's insights particularly valid. Far from a textbook, the book is well-written and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.

I have read a dozen or more books on leadership and attended five courses on the subject (best course: Marine Corps NCO Leadership School). I learned more from this short, simple and direct guide than all the others combined.

Do not be misled by the military orientation of this book. Aside from the fact that a life in the Navy presents more physical dangers than your average CPA firm, the lessons are readily transferable to civilian life (I did not spend a career in the military).

I read this book a month ago and three circumstances corresponding to the book have presented themselves.

I wish I could have read this book when I was 20. I would have been a better manager, a better leader and a better person

This book is so good that I purchased copies for every line supervisor that worked for me - it's the best "by example" socratic method book I've ever seen !

This author has put his many years of naval experience down for examination by anybody who is interested in the art of leadership. Being in a foreign Navy I had to endure the inherent American perspective, however, leadership anywhere is the same, therefore, a good read particularly for those in leadership positions within the service. I considered his examples of good and bad leadership moments to be the gems in this book.

I'm a recently retired Army Colonel. Believe it or not, the best book I've ever read on leadership was written by a Navy Admiral...hard to believe but true! I dogeared and highlighted the heck out of this book. I recommend it to anyone who's looking to read a good leadership book. Oliver masterfully describes the traits of essential leadership by applying his navy lessons learned in life as a submariner. And they're all lessons we can learn in the business world. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed!

I am a former submariner as is Dave Oliver and I read the book only because I was shortly going to interview him for a book project of my own, and I felt obliged to read his book first so as not to be embarrased.
I love this book on two levels. First for anyone interested in submarines, he will learn a whole lot about subs in this book. Secondly, his poor leadership anecdotes really struck me here. Often, that is the best teacher.

Being a sailor myself, I really wanted to like this book. I have read several leadership books and find this one to be lacking. It is meant only for a beginners look at leadership. It is the standard "Know your people" and other very basic leadership ideas. I'm sure many people can get a lot from it, it just did not suit my purposes.

Would you miss a fishing trip with Dad? With Granddad? Was there a youth minister or school counselor that was special? Dave Oliver tells stories about the Navy, using these stories to couch observations about life and leadership that every young person can profit from whether assuming a new life civilian or military. A must-read for the new graduate and a marvelous tool for the person who wants to inject maturity into their career path.

Adm. Oliver talks about ordinary humanity in extraordinary situations achieving extraordinary results through simple wisdom. I have gifted many copies to youngsters that I love and my copy is tattered from rereading.

Lead On is both strategic and practical. The author (a distinguished Naval officer) does a masterful job of breathing life into leadership principles, presented within the context of submarine operations. It is both entertaining and purposeful.