Customer Reviews

Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge

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

 

 

I teach leadership and this book has been on my required list since 1990. It is short, instructive and not easily replaced by others. It handles the subject broadly and with a great anticipation for this decades insights about effective leadership. The use of survey material, while a little flawed in terms of sampling (not all great leadership takes place at the top) gives us very helpful data to validate some unusual conclusions about leadership.

Much to the book's credit, this is a surprisingly short overview of leadership and the differences between management and leadership. The emphasis on leadership as a learnable skill is evident throughout the book. It highlights the many common characteristics found within a study of 90 leaders, and it translates those characteristics into recognizable traits such as possessing and sharing a vision. The book not only addresses these skills, but also change and its impact on leadership potential, especially in the age of technology. The human element of leadership and the impact of leadership on human interaction form the foundation of the book. The emphasis placed on leadership in the workplace is at times heavy, and sometimes clouds an understanding of other applications of leadership. The skills and elements presented are valuable however, and definitely are applicable to all areas of life.

This book is great for anyone who wants to find a compelling vision for their company. Rich with anecdotes and better organized than "On Becoming A Leader," this book provides the essential ingredients on what it takes to be a courageous, innovative leader, not just a manager. I also recommend John Gardner's On Leadership

I was assigned to read this book for one of my communication classes. After reading the book, I realized this book could be used effectively for someone else, but not me. I just began studying leaders and grasping the basic concepts of leadership and this book was disecting it. On the other hand, if I were a leader in an organization, this book could be very helpful. The authors did an enormous amount of research for this book. They did a study using 90 effective leaders from all kinds of organizations. Some of their leaders gave them the secrets to their success, while others hardly spoke. The authors narrowed all the information they got from the leaders down to four main strategies to become a better leader. You have to read the book to find out what they are! Lastly, I had one major problem with this book. Boring...It was putting me to sleep. If Bennis and Nanus(the authors)would have made the materal more interesting, this book would have been great.

This is a good book on leadership -- another Bennis classic. A good airplane book, it is a quick read and worth the time.

However, if you have to read ONE Bennis book, I suggest reading "Organizing Genius".

We used this book in one of my education classes. This book is a good tool for aspiring school administrators. It focuses on different aspects of education and how to handle school issues and situations. Thanks!!!

I like the authors emphasis on the learnability of leadership. Though a little dry in sections, it's rewarding for those that see it through to the finish.

Perhaps I was spoiled after receiving my first order so quickly. However, the book was in decent condition and it was delivered before I truly needed it for class. Thank you.