While my piles of books to review keeps growing, I realized that a certain group was moving quickly to the bottom. Now I wouldn’t normally write about the books that I don’t review, but what struck me was that I noticed they all shared a similar theme. So, I’m sitting here wondering why I can’t bring myself to read books on leadership.
First off, I have to admit that most of them are bit “textbook-like” and I’ll be honest, I like a little pizzazz in my books on work trends. But, there are other “textbooks” that remain in my “to be reviewed” pile. So, maybe it’s that as an entrepreneur, I don’t focus on being a leader, as I’m too busy trying to keep day to day operations running and staying on top of trends that may affect my business plan. So books that deal with marketing, economic/cultural trends, and technology are more helpful at the moment.
But, perhaps there’s something more here? Maybe some of us have become so disenfranchised with the individuals who are identified in the media as “leaders,” that I’m not so sure it’s enticing to be one anymore. Anyone have any thoughts on whether interest in “leadership” might be waning? Tom Friedman touched on this topic somewhat last week, when he discussed Generation Y’s reluctance to protest and become activists.
But, I realize leadership is still an important topic. So, while I may not be reading books about leadership at the moment, here’s my classic pick for the best one I’ve read to date: John F. Kennedy On Leadership: The Lessons And Legacy Of A President
I always like learning a little history along with some business skills, and since JFK did pre-date me, it was interesting to learn more about our former president. The book takes us through the Kennedy years and shows how JFK changed the rules of campaigning, challenged tradition, turned weaknesses into strengths, worked positively with the media, wrote speeches that reached his audience, and crafted a particular image.
Each chapter is focused on a different aspect of leadership.
- Vision
- Breaking the rules
- Resilience
- Charisma
- Communication
- Speechwriting
- Commitment to learning
- Team building
- Decision-making
- Miscalculation and mis-judgments
- Crises management
- Faults and failings
At the end of each chapter is a summary of lessons to be learned if you want to do the same. Of note is that one of the Amazon reviewers stated that this was not a book on leadership, but rather on marketing. He may have a point, but then again, that might have been why I liked it. Perhaps the key to being a good leader is to be a good marketer.
The Bottom Line: Great book for anyone doing anything entrepreneurial, political and otherwise high-profile, and may want to build a following.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 at 11:30 am and is filed under Nonfiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.2 Responses to “Why I’m Not Reading Books on Leadership”
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October 22nd, 2007 at 4:35 am
Dianne
Most of leadership books/consulting offerings deliver answers (the set of qualities needed, the right behaviours, the good attitudes and mindset etc) but not many address the question ‘What is the question?’. The provision of beautifully crafted answers to the wrong questions, or even non existing ones, is a business/ management development activity of colossal magnitude. My book ‘The Leader with Seven Faces’ proposes ‘a map to ask the questions’ (with some insinuations of answers, – I am not neutral! – but in sharing mode). I think we need more reflective leadership and less ‘how to’ ; that means time to reflect, which means time! It’s worth. Leandro. http://www.thechalfontproject.com
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:19 pm
While I was surfing I found your blog about leadership books and the fact that they are moving to the bottom of your pile.
I agree with you that what I am reading these days is more marketing and publicity books as well as personal improvement, which I am finding as an entrepreneur is almost a daily must to overcome all the roadblocks to success.
But having said that I was surprised to find myself writing a book about leadership this last year and now find myself looking for ways to promote my book as well as my workshops. My book ‘Taking the Reins’ comes from working with horses and what they have taught and continue to teach me about leadership- first of myself- then of others.
Someone said my book was really personal development for leaders and I guess I would agree with that. It was written in the form of stories of interactions with horses and then what I gained from the interaction about leading myself and others.
I find having been a manager and leader in the corporate world and now an entrepreneur is really all about leading yourself first before you can lead others. Leadership is really about how you present yourself to others and how you communicate along with tons of other ‘things’ that leadership is about.
Having bought many programs on the internet I must say that I believe it would be a good idea for more of the individuals that are selling programs to take the time to learn leadership skills if they want more than a one time buyer of their programs, but then that is a pet peeve of mine.
This post turned into a book but I just wanted to say that I believe Leadership and Leadership skills are more important than ever, although I must agree that I find many of the books and the programs quite boring myself. Hopefully mine isn’t but then I am prejuduced.
thanks for reading,
Jean Starling
http://www.leaderstakingthereins.com