The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow Author: Mark Miller | Language: English | ISBN:
B00CTY5FNM | Format: PDF
The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow Description
The Heart of Leadership
Are you the type of leader people want to follow? You can be—but first, you’ve got to understand what sets great leaders apart from all the rest.
Certainly, leaders need people skills, execution skills, a deep knowledge of industry trends, the ability to articulate a vision, and more—they must be competent—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What’s below the waterline? What’s deep inside the best leaders that makes them different?
Mark Miller contends it is their leadership character. In his latest enlightening and entertaining business fable, he describes the five unique character traits exhibited by exceptional leaders and how to cultivate them.
The Heart of Leadership begins with young and ambitious Blake Brown being passed over for a desperately wanted promotion, despite an outstanding individual performance. Confused and frustrated, he turns to his former mentor, Debbie Brewster. Rather than attempting to solve Blake’s problem for him, she sends him on a quest to meet with five of his late father’s colleagues, each of whom holds a piece of the puzzle he’s trying to solve.
As Blake puts the pieces together, he discovers that in the final analysis, a lack of skills isn’t what holds most leaders back; skills are too easy to learn. Without demonstrated leadership character, however, a skill set will never be enough. Most often, when leaders fail to reach their full potential, it is an issue of the heart. This is Blake’s ultimate revelation.
This book shows us that leadership needn’t be the purview of the few—it is within reach for millions around the world. The Heart of Leadership is a road map for every person who desires to make a difference in the lives of others and become a leader people want to follow.
- File Size: 390 KB
- Print Length: 145 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1609949609
- Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1 edition (September 6, 2013)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00CTY5FNM
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Not Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,278 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #73
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Business & Money > Management & Leadership > Management > Management Skills
- #73
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Business & Money > Management & Leadership > Management > Management Skills
Those who have read one of more of Mark Miller's previously published books already know that he has superb reasoning and writing skills in combination with the talents of a raconteur. What we have in this volume is a fable about today's business world. There are a setting, a cast of characters, themes, a plot, conflicts and tensions, and eventually resolution. The focus is on Blake Brown (age 28) whose career and personal life currently consist of frustrated aspirations, self-doubt, and - thus far - unfulfilled potentialities. His future at Dynastar is uncertain. He sets out on a quest to find out why "leaders are different." His mentor (Debbie Brewster) and five of his late father's associates are involved in the process. Details are best revealed within the narrative, in context. However, I am comfortable sharing a few of what I consider to be Miller's most important insights.
First, Miller is convinced - and I agree - that leaders have a certain presence that attracts interest and, over time, helps them to earn respect and trust. Call it "it," call it whatever you like. For whatever reasons, we feel something special in their presence. Now I am not talking about charisma. My own opinion (perhaps Miller agrees) is that charisma resembles an expensive fragrance. It has a pleasing aroma but should not be consumed. The leaders Miller has in mind are genuine, authentic, and consistent in terms of their affirmations and, especially, their behavior.
Also, I agree with Miller that all organizations need effective leadership at all levels and in all areas of the given enterprise.
I have long been a fan of Mark Miller`s work and when I found out I had the opportunity to be on the launch team for his new book "The Heart of Leadership" I couldn't wait to write this review.
If you have read any of Miller's recent work, you know that he has a unique way of building a story around the premise of the book and in effect, brings the lessons and the story itself to life. The Heart of Leadership is a follow up, at least as the story goes, to "Great Leaders Grow" (read my review of Great Leaders Grow).
Blake, who got off to a great start as a young leader now finds himself stuck. Stuck in his job and stuck as a leader. He turns back to his mentor Debbie, who had previously been mentored by Blake's father before he passed away.
Debbie introduces Blake to 5 professionals that take Blake on a journey to find what he has been missing to take his leadership to the next level. He has been missing The HEART of Leadership. So let's take a look at just what it is that makes up The Heart of Leadership.
HUNGER FOR WISDOM
Leaders recognize that if they want to be effective over the long haul, they need to be life long learners. They need to commit to not only increasing their knowledge but their relational skills as well. Be self confident and consistent in your beliefs and values but always be open to input, new ideas and the views and opinions of others. We can always learn, even in our failures and difficult times.
EXPECT THE BEST
Miller states it very well; "To expect the best is an attitude, a belief, a choice, a lifestyle and a trait that virtually every successful leader possesses. We believe the best about others and about ourselves." What a powerful statement.
The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow Preview
Link
Please Wait...