Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit, New & Revised [Hardcover]

Lee G. Bolman (Author), Terrence E. Deal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787955477 | ISBN-13: 978-0787955472 | Publication Date: April 15, 2001 | Edition: 2

Since its original publication in 1995, Leading with Soul has inspired thousands of readers. Far ahead of its time, the book bravely revealed the path to leadership to be a very personal journey requiring a knowledge of self and a servant-leader mentality. Now, in this new and revised edition, authors Bolman and Deal address such currrent issues as the changing nature of work, the new face of today's workforce, and the greater need for an infusion of soul in the workplace. They also include real-life stories from readers of the first edition, and answer key questions that those readers raise. As vital as ever, this revisted narrative of an executive and his quest for deeper meaning continues to point the way to a more fulfilling work experience.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Quasi-religiosity drives this sanctimonious parable on leadership by the coauthors of Reframing Organizations. This is the scenario: Steve, an executive, makes several visits to his spiritual guide, Maria, who instructs him that spirit and soul are the essence of leadership. As we follow his path to enlightenment, we learn that during Steve's trip to Singapore to visit his firm's newest acquisition, a factory worker hugged him. Maria praises him: "Love worked for you." But Steve receives no hugs in the Topeka branch, and this troubles him and Maria (the reader wonders if perhaps their labor union protected these American workers from having to grovel before the boss). During other sessions, Steve tells Maria about his fiancee, who insists he go to church every other Sunday; on one occasion, pupil and spiritual guide simply sit by a stream and watch a leaf float by. 25,000 first printing.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Cast as a series of dialogs between master and student, this text traces the spiritual growth and development of Steve Camden. At the beginning of his journey, Camden is the stereotypical business leader who thinks and acts without knowing himself in his thinking and acting. Through a number of encounters, Maria, Camden's spiritual teacher, asks him to begin the search for his soul by looking at the little things around him he often neglects. Camden slowly realizes that the absence of soul causes his leadership to be hollow and ineffectual, and he thus recovers the ability to engage in soulful leadership. Unfortunately, there's not much here that can't also be found in Peck, Moore, and others. Not recommended.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 2 edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787955477
• ISBN-13: 978-0787955472
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Touching Reading, January 8, 2000

By 

Craig Rossiter (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit (Jossey-Bass Management) (Hardcover)

I have had the opportunity to read a number of books for managers and leaders. This is the first that I was unable to put down. The majority of the text is conversations between two fictional characters, Steve a high ranking leader in a multi-national company, and Maria, his spiritual guide. Steve has lost touch with his heart, and reluctantly goes to Maria at the urging of his boss, the company founder and CEO. The relationship that develops is nothing short of wonderful. I laughed and cried with Steve and Maria, and I learned more about myself in this easy read than in hours of leadership training and seminars. I highly recommnend this readable text.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, June 4, 2002

By 

Naomi Moneypenny "Executive Editor at ManyWor... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit, New & Revised (Hardcover)

Well, this is a management book, but not in the usual vein. It is very hard for this reviewer to know what to tell others about it since for some it will be inspirational and for others garbage. It is a gentle book, very fast to read and very slow to digest. It is a contemporary parable of a business leader Steve, who although 'successful' in many materialistic ways is unfulfilled with his life. It seems that material accomplishments are not enough, and he struggles with a sense of purpose in himself and to instill it in others. Maria is his spiritual guide and most of the book tells their conversations over a long period of time. It is quasi-religious but interesting in the sense that we have all had a moment when we look internally and ask what am I doing or why am I here.
It is not a book to read if you are highly cynical about 'softer' concepts and do not like to think about what motivates people who work with you to achieve higher things. This is the type of book that you either love or hate, it either changes your life or inspires sneers. Beautifully written and full of powerful quotes that are interweaved like silent mines from writers such as Rumi and Ernest Becker.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit (Jossey-Bass Management) (Hardcover)

I read this book for a class. It was absolutely incredible! I read the book in two sittings. It mixes a great story (told in a storytelling fashion) and thoughtful text. Even though the book is an easy read, the book stimulates thoughtful reflection. A must read for any leader. In fact I bought two for leaders that have inspired me.