Virtuous Leadership defines each of the classical human virtues most essential to leadership magnanimity, humility, prudence, courage, self-control and justice. It demonstrates how these virtues promote personal transformation and the attainment of self-fulfillment. It also considers the Christian supernatural virtues of faith, hope and charity without which no study of leadership can be complete. The book's final section, "Towards Victory", offers a methodology for the achievement of interior growth tailored to the needs of busy, professional people intent on imbuing their lives with a transcendent purpose. Thus, the aim of Virtuous Leadership is ultimately practical. It is meant to be your guidebook in the quest for moral excellence.
Virtuous Leadership
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Book Description
Drawing on the lives of some of the greatest political, intellectual and religious leaders of modern times, and the author's personal experience, Virtuous Leadership demonstrates that leadership and virtue are not only compatible, they are actually synonymous.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Alexandre Havard is the Director of the European Center for Leadership Development, whose flagship executive program, Virtuous Leadership, makes the classical virtues the basis of personal excellence and professional performance. He has led the program in a variety of countries in English, Russian, French, and Spanish for business executives, educators, public officials, and MBA students.
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Customer Reviews
“ Dr. Havard has assembled an excellent counter-balance to a number of books out there that focus primarily upon temperaments or dispositions in leadership. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Somebody has finally written a book about virtue for those engaged in the business world. Too many books spill out of the presses on being EFFECTIVE, on getting YOUR WAY, on making big bucks quick--it's as if the business world were ruled by little Machiavellis and Napoleons. Havard gives them what they really need, something for the good of their souls, rather than merely their bank accounts. This book should be in every airport across Europe and America! (And ditch all the other quick-read, make-million business books that litter the bookstore shelves.) Bravo Havard!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alexandre Havard's Virtuous Leadership is a book long-needed on every level of public life in the developed nations. In its examination of the theoretical and practical aspects of the successful exercise of authority--be it in commercial enterprises, basic social organizations of the human community, and pastoral situations--he probes deeply into not only the ethical basis of good management, but the higher implications of moral order in men's dealings with one another. In doing so, he also demonstrates that the exercise of genuine virtue results in growth of character, and that this is possible for all leaders, with their varying temperaments and personalities. He emphasizes that this mode of leadership is more than a technique for increased "productivity" but one which brings about something greater, that is, the creation of working environments and communities that retain their essential humanity while increasing fruitfulness in the forms appropriate to the organization's intended purpose.
The author also reveals to us some fractures in our thinking in the industrialized/technologized societies of the modern age, and how the development of a personalist use of authority can help mend these often self-defeating tendencies, bringing untold benefits not only for the individual leader and his organization but for society in general. A vitally important and timely book. --Michael D. O'Brien
The author also reveals to us some fractures in our thinking in the industrialized/technologized societies of the modern age, and how the development of a personalist use of authority can help mend these often self-defeating tendencies, bringing untold benefits not only for the individual leader and his organization but for society in general. A vitally important and timely book. --Michael D. O'Brien
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By bookknight
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Finally, a book on leadership that puts the horse before the cart----where it belongs. Leaders require followers and why should anyone follow a leader? There seems to be an eternal tension between followers and leaders because there is a clash or at least a confrontation of wills. A leader who depends on coercion or manipulative techniques may achieve certain objectives but only in a precise setting and given limited objectives. A military officer is handed position power and the force of authority along with assigned followers and may or may not bloom into a true leader over time. Likewise, a politician may rely on manipulation, personality, and scripted talking points to win office but that victory does not confer leadership status.
The "better man" theory of leadership has survived through history. The question that often went unasked is how does one become a better man? Alexandre Havard teaches us that leadership is service and service is virtue in action. The natural virtues are developed through an act of will. Developing virtue molds character and forms a leader. The authority of a true leader stems from the character they display which gives rise to trust. The natural tension between leaders and followers dissolves because followers know that their leader has their best interests at heart and they recognize in the leader a role model for their own character development.
I find it interesting that to the secular mind and also from the Christian perspective, the trait most often ascribed to leaders is "charisma". A charism is a gift conferred through the grace of God. The theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity are gifts of God.... Read more ›
The "better man" theory of leadership has survived through history. The question that often went unasked is how does one become a better man? Alexandre Havard teaches us that leadership is service and service is virtue in action. The natural virtues are developed through an act of will. Developing virtue molds character and forms a leader. The authority of a true leader stems from the character they display which gives rise to trust. The natural tension between leaders and followers dissolves because followers know that their leader has their best interests at heart and they recognize in the leader a role model for their own character development.
I find it interesting that to the secular mind and also from the Christian perspective, the trait most often ascribed to leaders is "charisma". A charism is a gift conferred through the grace of God. The theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity are gifts of God.... Read more ›
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Dr. Havard has assembled an excellent counter-balance to a number of books out there that focus primarily upon temperaments or dispositions in leadership. The book's strength lies primarily in the constellation of virtues he presents: magnanimity, humility, prudence, courage, temperance and courage. The author offers apt descriptions of the virtues and also numerous illustrations of the virtues in action. One would hope for more guidance on the appropriation of the necessary virtues, but it strikes the reader that the book is a summary of a further-reaching program delivered by the leadership institute directed by Dr. Havard.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Most business books on leadership basically state that the "new" leadership mode is all about building consensus and collaboration and that the "old" dictatorial mode is outdated, as if all the leadership books a generation ago taught managers to be dictators. This book doesn't get bogged down in anything like that.
Rather this book focuses on character and virtue as the keys to becoming a true leader. It is not a soft book that is remote from the business world. Rather it is very much in tune with where people actually have to live, not just an old textbook scheme of how things should be. It is as likely to cite an important business event or leader as it is an ancient philosopher or theologian.
In discussing the virtues, Havard offers the most profound discussion of humility that I've ever read. He doesn't teach people to lie about how bad and lowly they are. He also addresses how to balance natural ambition with humility by teaching the forgotten virtue of magnanimity. This is a key chapter that should be well read.
This is remarkably well-written read in English, given Havard's Spanish origins. Great book!
Rather this book focuses on character and virtue as the keys to becoming a true leader. It is not a soft book that is remote from the business world. Rather it is very much in tune with where people actually have to live, not just an old textbook scheme of how things should be. It is as likely to cite an important business event or leader as it is an ancient philosopher or theologian.
In discussing the virtues, Havard offers the most profound discussion of humility that I've ever read. He doesn't teach people to lie about how bad and lowly they are. He also addresses how to balance natural ambition with humility by teaching the forgotten virtue of magnanimity. This is a key chapter that should be well read.
This is remarkably well-written read in English, given Havard's Spanish origins. Great book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
study abroad
SO excited to read this! looks phenomenal, and BONUS its my text book... i can not complain on this one!
Published 5 months ago by shannon mccarthy
5.0 out of 5 stars
VIRTUOUS LEADERSHIP
I have been waiting patiently for this book. So glad to get it. Its in perfect condition. I will try to put its advice into practise now. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Martina O' Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Havard gets it right
Havard has captured the essence of effective, productive and sustainable leadership; it is to lead by example and to truly care about people.
Published 8 months ago by mojo
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Missing Link in Political and Strategic Leadership
Alex Havard has written a short, but succinct, book that should be required reading for all strategic leaders in America. Read more
Published on April 24, 2011 by D. G. Bolgiano
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Waste Your Time
The meritorious commendation of fundamental virtues is compromised by the biased citations of contemporary personalities.
Published on May 26, 2009 by Jerry Kearney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important and timely contribution
In times like these we badly need leaders we can trust, and trust is only possible when leaders are both capable and virtuous. Read more
Published on March 29, 2009 by Thomas E. King
4.0 out of 5 stars
Truly Inspirational
The subject matter of this book was enough to get me interested and purchase. There are not many books that explore with such great detail the cornerstones of true leadership. Read more
Published on March 27, 2009 by H. Goff
