Rules and Tools for Leaders [Paperback]

Perry M. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

A down-to-earth guide to effective managing -- with quick-reference checklists.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Major General Perry M. Smith, USAF Retired, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from Columbia University. An internationally known speaker and media commentator, he has conducted seminars on leadership, strategic planning, and ethics for hundreds of organizations, including Harvard's Kennedy School, Emory University, Microsoft, Tiffany & Company, Time Warner, and Texas Instruments. He is a military analyst for CBS radio and CBS television.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 3rd edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089529835X
• ISBN-13: 978-0895298355
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,295,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile. Valuable checklists, July 7, 1999

By 

M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rules and Tools for Leaders (Paperback)

This book is a minimally-rewritten version of "Taking Charge" which Smith published a few years ago. The book contains useful and extremely pragmatic advice for managers and leaders. It is more oriented towards "big shots" than first line managers, but there is value for anyone who manages people. Biggest criticism--There is not an overriding theme in the book, it is a collection of chapters on individual subjects. Biggest attaboy--The book has a number of checklists that are useful. The author is a former military officer, and that shows in his examples, but the advice he gives is broadly applicable.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best book I know as an introduction to leadership, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rules and Tools for Leaders (Paperback)

This is a very accessible and useful book--for those who teach and study leadership and management, as well as for those who practice one or both in government, the military, or the private sector. Perry Smith combines a wealth of experience as a leader, a manager, and a teacher of both skills, with a smooth, easy writing style. The result is the best one-volume introduction to leadership and management that I know. Two chapters I found particularly useful were #14 "Creating a strategic vision" and #13 "Teaching and reading." The former reminds leaders of their continuing need, indeed almost an obligation, to remember where they are headed, where they want to be headed, and where they should be headed--and how to keep their organizations on track. The latter encourages leaders to remain open to and actively to search out the best new ideas available, and to inspire those who work for and with them to do likewise. Also especially helpful is Smith's suggested reading list in the appendices. This book is an ideal starting point for someone in the leadership business, not, as Smith continually reminds the reader, the end point. I recommend it highly to colleagues and friends in the field.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers many areas in one nice size book, May 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Diego , CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rules and Tools for Leaders (Paperback)

This book advises you on the day to day basics and the long term requirements to being a good leader. Basics include things like how to hire and fire people and how to keep a pulse on those who work for you. The author advises that being a good leader must also include continued self development. I am reminded of Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" when Covey talks about the URGENT vs. long term ("Sharpening the Saw").