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Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage

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After reading about Colin Powel's style, Bush's War and Guiliani's book on Leadership, it was a nice break to read about one of history's greatest first ladies--Eleanor Roosevelt. It also served as a checkpoint for myself to have a peek at the early 20th century and the beginnings of the UN in light of recent events. This book was written by Robin Gerber who is a senior scholar at the Academy of Leadership which is part of the University of Maryland. Not only a biography of Eleanor, it's also a how-to on leadership and includes side information about how other women implement Eleanor's style in their lives today.
Key Takeaways:
Give Voice to Your Leadership--ER did not start out a brilliant and inspiring public speaker, she had to practice at it. She eventually managed to be an effective communicator through both speech and her writing in columns. She held press conferences at the White House for women reporters only--she identified an audience she could reach and began speaking to them.
Embrace Risk--despite many folks including herself being unsure of her and her role, at Truman's request ER took on a role within the formation of the UN and went on to be a leading proponant of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She took this on shortly after the death of FDR--a time when she could have retired. Instead she started on a second life.
Never Stop Learning--this keeps coming up in the lives of leaders--they have an interest in the world and learning about it. ER traveled extensively in the latter part of her life and took a good deal of interest in learning about the world and the various cultures enhabiting it. She traveled throughout the middle east and India. She also used her columns, and speeches as a tool to educate others.

At 46, I found the book both affirming and inspiring. Ms. Gerber shows, through the life of the great ER, how painful life experiences can enhance both self awareness and empathy, and even more amazingly, how suffering a betrayal can be liberating. Her discussion on the special leadership skills developed through motherhood make clear the public interest in cultivating women leaders. The book is both a very accesible, good read and an effective step-by-step leadership guide.

Ms. Gerber really brings Eleanor to life, and makes her human. This book unfolds the story of how Eleanor found herself -- found her skills, her voice, her passion. Even in the face of great challenges -- personal, social, political -- Eleanor had her internal compass which lead her to greatness.

This book also shows Eleanor's self-doubt -- a feeling that all mortals experience. Eleanor is not a "super hero." She was a living, breathing woman who didn't know where life would take her.

Finally, this book is about leadership -- not the hard-charging, slash-and-burn, take no prisoners approach. But the kinder, gentler, diplomatic approach, that appeals to people's desire to create a better world for themselves and everyone around them.

This is a great read, and will leave you inspired!

This is a truly wonderful book... an easy read about a complex topic. I've purchased extra copies as gifts for several friends already!
As a middle manager I am eager to explore my role as a leader... sometimes feeling that I am only one person who has little influence in this world.
Ms. Gerber understands how much women are looking for leadership "heroes" and her handling of Eleanor Roosevelt's personal history makes this book quite compelling.

At 46, I found the book both affirming and inspiring. Ms. Gerber shows, through the life of the great ER, how painful life experiences can enhance both self awareness and empathy, and even more amazingly, how suffering a betrayal can be liberating. Her discussion on the special leadership skills developed through motherhood make clear the public interest in cultivating women leaders. The book is both a very accesible, good read and an effective step-by-step leadership guide.

What a great book! I really loved the advice and getting the chance to learn about Eleanor Roosevelt, who I always admired but didn't know that much about. A fun read, and you take a lot away to use on the job and in your life.

This is a must add to your leadership library! If you like authors such as Donald T. Phillips-"Lincoln On Leadership" or Axelrod- "Elizabeth I CEO" then you will enjoy this book. The big plus is that it is about a contemporary woman leader. The author adds how you can take some of the leadership qualities of Eleanor and apply it to your own life situations. She gives examples from the lives of women in your community and mine who are working to make a difference each day. This book speaks to the vision of one woman who helped to make a difference in lives of women today. Things that we take for granted were hard fought for ideals championed by this woman. It is hard to put this book down once you get started and will apply to each woman who works to make the diffence in the lives of the family, the community and the world. Read It! You'll enjoy it!

JUST as great athletes need coaching to reach the top of their game and stay there, so do great leaders. Eleanor Roosevelt exemplified great leadership at a time of dramatic changes - social, political, economic. Like FDR, she didn't come to Washington to fiddle with the controls of governance. She came to change the direction of the ship. She was a woman not only of courage but also at a time of great crisis a woman of loyalty, passion, and unyielding confidence.

Robin Gerber presents a brilliant portrayal of the "Elanorian Way." Gerber's in-depth look into "Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage" goes beyond discovery of a simple philosophy based on courage and leadership. The strategies the author bring to light to the reader are practical implication of innate female skills and mind sets that can be successfully use by all in climbing the corporate ladder all the way to the top, along with the courage to stay there.

I've read this book and love it! Don't wait for spare time to read it. MAKE time but do NOT miss this book!! This is a great achievement by Robin Gerber. Her book is a profile of courage for all in their journey as First Ladies.

At a time when most women stayed home and voted as their husbands advised, Eleanor Roosevelt was laying down the pathway for my generation. I work in the international democracy field and have sent this book to women in countries where their progress is far behind, in hopes that it will inspire them as it has renewed my own admiration for Eleanor,

This book is a terrific read and provides excellent advice, particularly for women who are unsure of their leadership potential or wish to develop it further. Ms. Gerber draws inspiration for leadership from each of the very different phases of Eleanor's life (student, wife, mother, public leader, author), and from her difficulties as well as her successes. A truly inspiring book that can help any woman take several giant steps toward realizing her full potential.