Nobody in Charge: Essays on the Future of Leadership (J-B Warren Bennis Series) [Paperback]

Harlan Cleveland (Author)

Book Description

Series: J-B Warren Bennis Series | Publication Date: May 3, 2002

One of the most renowned thinkers and insightful writers on leadership of our time, Harlan Cleveland has seen numerous trends come and go and weathered many drastic changes in leadership and management-from the rise of the "company man" to the advent of the leaderless, self-managed organization. In this collection of essays-the newest addition to the Warren Bennis Signature Series--he draws on his vast experience to apply his thoughts to leadership. In each essay, Cleveland focuses on an intriguing insight about leadership-illustrated by stories from his own experience --offering thoughtful perspective on what 21st century leaders will face in the new knowledge environment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…uses exceptional experience as the basis for relevant, reflective, insights – by a remarkable man…” (Long Range Planning, Vol. 37, 2004)

Review

"The latest book from one of the wisest men of our time!"
--John W. Gardner, founder of Common Cause and of The Independent Sector

"Most books on leadership are written by people who themselves haven't led anything. This book is written by one of the most effective executives who, from a very early age, has for a half-century provided outstanding leadership in American government, higher education, and business."
-- Peter F. Drucker, business philospher

"A rare, readable blend of exceptional experience, wisdom, and wit ¾ for those perplexed about the present or concerned about the future, especially those with responsibility for others."
--Dee Hock, founder, Visa International

"We have entered a new and different world-richly interconnected and radically multicentric-in which the traditional holders of power have to move over and make room for new stakeholders, new players, and new leaders of many kinds. Nobody in Charge, drawing on the learnings of a wise and widely experienced public executive, offers some priceless insights into how things have changed, where they are now, and where we may be going next in this bewildering terrain."
--Walter Truett Anderson, president, the World Academy of Art and Science

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (May 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787961531
• ISBN-13: 978-0787961534
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,837,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, February 25, 2003

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nobody in Charge: Essays on the Future of Leadership (J-B Warren Bennis Series) (Paperback)

Everyone remembers the reaction when U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig took the podium at the White House the day John Hinckley shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981. "I'm in control here," Haig tried to reassure the public, contrary to the constitutional rules of succession. The response was neither outrage nor reassurance that someone was taking the helm. Why? Harlan Cleveland thoughtfully suggests good reasons that the primary reaction to Haig's statement was bemusement tinged with ridicule. He makes an articulate argument that the era when anyone could be in complete control anywhere has long since passed. The reason? Systems have simply grown too complex to be managed by one individual. Thus, the best leader for the "Nobody's-In-Charge" society is someone comfortable with decentralization, someone who can arrive at resourceful, unusual solutions. By way of imprimatur, management guru Warren Bennis wrote this volume's foreword. We from getAbstract recommend this treatise to those who are seriously curious about the ways that technological and societal changes are altering the leader's role.