The Leadership Challenge

When I posted the review on Warren Bennis' “On Leadership”, I mentioned that books I had started since I had started Bennis' text had caused me to re-think whether or not I found Bennis' text informative. “The Leadership Challenge” was the book that spurred the re-thinking.

Pretty good insight as to how to become a better leader. Lots of good stories and examples. Many of the tricks they offer are easy to implement - being a better leader is as simple as choosing to be a better leader. This book is built on the fact that leadership can be taught. Its success is built on the fact that anyone can accomplish the extraordinary.

My only caution with the text is that it contains too many lists. It starts with the “five practices of exemplary leadership”, then offers two ways to achieve each of the five practices, three activities that you can take to accomplish the two ways to achieve the five practices, and so on. While all of the advice is resonant, it is virtually impossible to remember all the lists.