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The Ambiguity Advantage

What Leaders are Great at

by David Wilkinson

Palgrave Macmillan, 2006

Category: Leadership & Management

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The Ambiguity Advantage
Surprising look at great leaders’ real skills. To be a great leader, forget rules and yes-men. Instead, embrace the unknown.

In this summary you will learn

  • Why managers should embrace ambiguity
  • What are the four “modes of leadership”
  • How to use 11 strategies favored by “generative” leaders who are dealing with uncertainty

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Why you should read The Ambiguity Advantage

In a world dominated by constant upheaval, managers might pine for the good old days, when things were simpler and more certain. But that’s exactly the wrong approach, argues David Wilkinson in this eye-opening management study. The future belongs to those who go beyond just accepting change, and instead seek and embrace it. These “generative” leaders are visionaries who encourage conflict, cultivate diversity, and see uncertainty and chaos as wonderful opportunities. This book describes the different kinds of ambiguity and, as concretely as possible, tells leaders how to cope with changing circumstances. Wilkinson makes a compelling case for flexible, collaborative leadership. getAbstract recommends his book to managers seeking an edge in a chaotic world.

About the Author

David Wilkinson is head of professional development at Cranfield University. He studies and teaches leadership as well as personal, professional and organizational development. Among other duties, he trains British police to respond to terror attacks.


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