Customer Reviews

Summoned to Lead

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sweet's new, quick read based on Ernest Shackleton (arguably one of the greatest leaders of all time---who failed in his primary mission) is refreshing to say the least. 'Summoned to Lead,'--like many other Sweet books--is well-researched and compelling in its discoveries and challenges. It focuses on the apsects of leadership rarely talked about and is such a little inspiring gem, you'll be surprised at how after each chapter, you feel like you could tackle the world. That may be trite to say, but it's rarely felt as often as people would like to think or believe. While the only thing this book seems to be weak in is how it too often falls into the mythological or allegorical or ideological language...but most of the time, it's refreshing. A solid read, and recommended highly.

I underestimated this book. Bought it just to read "another" book on leadership, bought it because Sweet is one of my favorite professors and authors, bought it just to see what Sweet has to say about leadership without expecting to learn something new but to review the same old leadership wisdoms that I have learned from other gurus over the years articulated by Sweet in different words. What a surprise! Almost every part of this book is nothing but fresh air. It is not another leadership book. It is a leadership orchestra! It is even not for reading at all. It is for listening and enjoying the sound of leadership. It is beautiful, poetic, and musical.

It does need a readied heart to experience this book, so I am not so surprised that it is not so well received, but I will not be surprised that this book becomes a classic in the future on the subject of leadership vision architecture.

Another book that will enhance your leadership skill.
A must for every aspiring leaders!

THE MOST REFRESHING "SOUNDINGS" on leadership I have ever heard while reading off the printed page. I can hear the crunch of Shackleton's footsteps in the snow. I leaped across the ice flow. I sang songs to make the dark night of my own leadership soul echo from Shackleton's trapped in the dark ice of an Antarctic winter. In a world laced with many great hot leadership books on vision, this was a cool blast like a mocha frappe on a hot day. It's refreshing notes resonated and struck a chord deep within. Sweet writes like no one else. You can truly hear him echo through the Antarctic wind into the real life leadership dramas that we face everyday.

I have read many leadership books and consulted with leaders for years. This fresh approach to leadership as sound, music, and relationships of vibration is startling and unique. I have sent the book to all of my clients and will continue to take notes from this book to apply to my life and work. A must read.

Dr. Leonard Sweet encourages leaders to listen to the signs and sounds around them to determine the directions they should go. Using the voyage of Shackleton as a backdrop, he points out the importance of bringing everyone through these difficult times: that accomplishment of the mission may end up different than we expect. The eyes deceive us more than our ears. Lucid, clear writing.

I got this book based on the the attractiveness of the theme of being summoned to lead. In the first chapter Sweet takes apart the usual top-down vision approach to leading. I would recommend the book for the first chapter alone. Honestly, Sweet's writing is a little to metaphor-based for me to follow for too long, so I couldn't finish the book.

Sweet gets it! This read is worthwhile and valuable. It is for right now. Don't wait.

Sweet's book is great! It's truly refreshing as it takes a non-typical look at leadership. Sweet makes his view (or tune) understandable and applicable. Learn how you can become a more effective leader by realizing the power of the small vibrations which can create such magnificent melodies.