The Taboos of Leadership: The 10 Secrets No One Will Tell You About Leaders and What They Really Think (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) [Hardcover]

Anthony F. Smith (Author), Steven M. Bornstein (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2007 | Series: J-B US non-Franchise Leadership (Book 213)

Most leaders who make it to the top possess characteristics that are all too human: they have politically incorrect attitudes, are conflicted, and play politics to get their way. Written by leading management consultant Anthony F. Smith, The Taboos of Leadership reveals the rarely discussed realities of leadership—the secrets that leaders just cannot admit to publicly for fear of losing power, self-respect, or even their jobs. This revelatory book will help both leaders and followers achieve real understanding and co-create a two-way street culture of openness, trust, and improved performance in their organizations.

The Taboos of Leadership discloses ten guarded secrets that leaders can’t discuss, even with their closest constituents, including:   charisma shouldn’t make a difference . . . but it does; women make better leaders . . . when that’s what they really want to do; blatant self-interest is dangerous . . . in followers, not leaders; thou shalt not play favorites with friends and family . . . except when it makes a lot of sense; and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this emperor-has-no-clothes exposé, Smith attempts to get into the heads of the powerful, reveal what goes on there and develop strategies for the inferiors who must cope with them. The managing director of the Leadership Research Institute, Smith dissects various leadership qualities-looking at heads of business, the military and politics, among others-as well as the way they're perceived by followers, employees and the general public. The innate hypocrisy of the human drive to power-"leadership is rooted in the urges of blatant self-interest"-creates a tension between leaders' public and private feelings; Smith posits that, though leaders' responsibility is to the team, they must protect their own power with "tough, hard, ruthless, and overtly political acts." This results, all too often, in "taboos" such as double standards, isolation and favoritism, all of which underlings find difficult, if not impossible, to address openly. The topics considered are many, including the difference charisma makes, the effect of gender, the successor-grooming game and the pursuit of a balanced lifestyle; the message, ultimately, is to speak up and look out.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Consultant Smith sets out to provide a description of what it takes to be a leader by focusing on taboos or certain prohibitions in corporate life that render them untouchable. In providing a frame of reference for understanding and recognizing these taboos, he says, "If taboos are holding our organizations and leaders down, they should be pruned back or weeded out, allowing our organizations and leaders to grow." He identifies 10 secrets or taboos of leadership including the importance of charisma; self-interest is blatant in leaders but dangerous for followers; while many women don't really want leadership and the sacrifice it requires, when they do they are better leaders than men; few understand that grooming a successor "hurts like hell"; few leaders have balance in their life since their work is their life, and hence those seeking balance may limit their opportunities for leadership. This thought-provoking book may promote conversation among leaders, but it is unknown how much discussion will include followers. Mary Whaley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787995827
• ISBN-13: 978-0787995829
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,033,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How to talk about the things you can't discuss at work, and why its important that you do, February 18, 2008

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Taboos of Leadership: The 10 Secrets No One Will Tell You About Leaders and What They Really Think (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

We all know that there are subjects you simply can't talk about in public, within your family, or with certain friends. They are topics that are so volatile that simply bringing them up ignites a fire that is completely destructive before anything worthwhile can be gained. This interesting little book by Anthony F. Smith addresses 10 taboos in the world of business that leaders still have to address. Smith talks about the each taboo, what the issues are, and how you might be able deal with them in a constructive way.

He divides the book into four parts: Introducing the Taboos, Taboos of Persuasion, Taboos of Position, and Taboos of the Person.

The ten taboos included are:

1) What leadership REALLY takes versus the pieties we say about leadership.

2) The role of Charisma in leadership (good looks do play a role).

3) Real leaders do play politics, actually.

4) Women who care to be leaders actually do a better job than men.

5) The real cost of double standards and why we have them anyway.

6) Why leaders play favorites with friends and family and the associated costs.

7) Why leaders should groom successors and why they don't.

8) What work-life balance means to a driven leader.

9) The role of self-interest in success.

10) Why top leadership is a lonely job and why the top leaders like it.

Smith concludes with a discussion of dealing with the taboos we are now talking about.

A handy book for managers who are on their way up or already there.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking Thoughts, May 24, 2007

By 

Howard J. Morgan "50 Top Coaches" (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Taboos of Leadership: The 10 Secrets No One Will Tell You About Leaders and What They Really Think (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

I think that the most valuable part of this book is that it provokes thought and conversation. It deals with subjects that could be described in a superficial political way but instead, challenges our conventional thinking and views about both senior leadership and ourselves.

If leadership is to continue to evolve and grasp opportunities, this book is a great start to that thought process. We are responsible but books such as Mr. Smith's force us to think about how we get there.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Practical, Impressive, May 21, 2007

By 

Robert J. Fazio "Founder, Hold The Door For O... (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Taboos of Leadership: The 10 Secrets No One Will Tell You About Leaders and What They Really Think (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

This book has already made an impact in my professional relationships. Dr. Smith offers readers insight and information that only the best of the best would know. I was impressed with what he has learned through the relationships he has had with some of the most influential leaders in a variety of industries.

This book will help shorten my learning curve as I meet the challenge of growing a grass roots nonprofit organization. His teachings made me realize that having a vision is only part of the game. If you want to win the game, you also need execution, time, energy, and perseverance.

Because the nonprofit organization I am growing was inspired by a tragic event, our leadership has used charisma to inspire others. In the past, I have made the mistake of stifling charisma as a leadership style due to the recent criticisms in leadership books. Dr. Smith provides a brilliant rationale for why in certain situations charisma is not only "ok," it is essential for impact.