Be Know Do

Leadership the Army Way: Adapted from The Official Army Leadership Manual

by Leader to Leader Institute, Frances Hesselbein and Gen. Eric K. Shinseki

Jossey-Bass, 2004

ISBN: 9780787970833
Pages: 192

Category: Leadership & Management

In this summary you will learn

• Why the Army focuses so insistently on developing leaders
• What three traits effective leaders share
• Why giving an order no longer is enough to inspire your subordinates

Why you should read Be Know Do

Leadership often is assigned a mystical quality, as if people either possess the spark that makes others follow them, or they don’t. Well, now you can lead without the innate spark. In fact, the U.S. Army sets out to prove that anyone can become a leader, as this engaging book from the Leader to Leader Institute explains. Using The Army Leadership Manual (abstract available from getAbstract) as its foundation, this volume demystifies leadership. Promisingly enough, this speedy read persuasively argues that being a leader requires little more than honesty and competence. Throw in an ability to communicate and a willingness to listen to your people, and you could become the next Patton, or at least a respected officer. This enlightening tome is a little thin on ways to turn its leadership development philosophy into action. Still, getAbstract.com recommends it to managers and to those who strive to become leaders.

About the Authors

The New York-based Leader to Leader Institute, formerly the Drucker Foundation, is a nonprofit group that publishes books and videotapes, and offers leadership workshops. Frances Hesselbein, its chairman, is the former CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Gen. Eric K. Shinseki retired from the Army in 2003 after a long career, including service as Army Chief of Staff.

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