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18th out of 18 books
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True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership
"True North" shows how anyone who follows their internal compass can become an authentic leader. This leadership tour de force is based on research and first-person interviews with 125 of today's top leaders--with some surprising results. In this important book, acclaimed former Medtronic CEO Bill George and coauthor Peter Sims share the wisdom of these outstandi...more
Hardcover, 251 pages
Published
March 9th 2007
by Jossey-Bass
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OK, my second of three self-help books for the months of October/November.
I came to this book with the utmost level of skepticism and came away with slightly less skepticism. I've seen several cases of people taking "leadership courses" only to become distant and insecurely authoritarian with the team that they must manage. If I were to write a leadership book, it would take a sentence: Don't be an asshole, listen more than talk, admit to being wrong, and lead by example. ...more
I came to this book with the utmost level of skepticism and came away with slightly less skepticism. I've seen several cases of people taking "leadership courses" only to become distant and insecurely authoritarian with the team that they must manage. If I were to write a leadership book, it would take a sentence: Don't be an asshole, listen more than talk, admit to being wrong, and lead by example. ...more
This book gets good reviews, but I think it's mostly due to the fact that other business books are so BAD. Most are self-congratulatory and promote bad behavior -- you get the immediate impression that the sole purpose of the book is to establish the author's cult of personality.
In case you're wondering, this is how you write a book on leadership:
1. Compile a list of 5-10 "make-or-break" traits of a winning person or company
2. Write a chapter for each trait, co...more
In case you're wondering, this is how you write a book on leadership:
1. Compile a list of 5-10 "make-or-break" traits of a winning person or company
2. Write a chapter for each trait, co...more
This book, of course, is another foray into leadership strategy. I have to admit that I went into the book with a bad attitude because I am not a huge fan of the professor who assigned it. That said, it actually was a pretty good book. The author's rhetoric is a bit cliche, but the book won me over with all the personal stories of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things. My personal favorite was Andrea Jung, the first female CEO of Avon - her passion for empowering women from all w...more
Thomas C.
rated it
Recommends it for:
those searching for leadership help
Recommended to Thomas by:
teh author at Maximum Impact Conference
Because of the number of books I have read on leadership, I expect that some of the content of almost every leadership book will be duplicative of some other book I have read. My standard is whether or not the book contains something new and valuable for me in my quest to be a better leader. This book has it. I was impressed with two areas of in depth material, that regarding the need for leaders to be in a give and take mentoring relationship, and the description of the types of leadership s...more
Jessica
rated it
Recommended to Jessica by:
read for NCLA Leadership Institute
Shelves:
2008,
adult-non-fiction
I generally do not care for books like this one, BUT, this was not as bad a read as I thought it might be. I marked a few passages that struck a cord with me. It was certainly biased toward for-profit arenas and was difficult to liken some statements to the library world, but I did get some wisdom that transferred.
<> "Courage is an especially important quality for leaders as they navigate through unpredictable terrain." p.xxxiii
<> "People today demand...more
<> "Courage is an especially important quality for leaders as they navigate through unpredictable terrain." p.xxxiii
<> "People today demand...more
This book is chock full of good advise on how to build your self-awareness to become a better leader. His concept of life crucibles was very enlightening for me. The author help me connect the dots in my professional career. Each chapter has helpful leadership exercises to encourage the reader to personalize the content of each concept.
Personal/ professional development is a life-long journey and this book is a great companion for anyone who really desires to grow.
Personal/ professional development is a life-long journey and this book is a great companion for anyone who really desires to grow.
O, there IS a reason why this is a best-seller still!
Gladly, I have had men and mentors (and life-situations) that have taught me much of what is in this book.
Having a deliberate idea of what it means to be a great leader from the inside-out is SO helpful!
A great book for leaders but an Exceptional! book for anyone training/mentoring younger leaders and/or any young leader (less than 30).
Gladly, I have had men and mentors (and life-situations) that have taught me much of what is in this book.
Having a deliberate idea of what it means to be a great leader from the inside-out is SO helpful!
A great book for leaders but an Exceptional! book for anyone training/mentoring younger leaders and/or any young leader (less than 30).
A valuable book on effective leadership traits. Depending upon your level, you may find it revealing many new concepts or simply providing a good refresher on many you felt you already knew. Regardless of whether it is revealing, reinforcing, or both, there are good lessons here for all.
Good introspective text for someone looking to imporve his/her leadership skills and style. Very readable, with lots of concrete examples. Book is based on interviews with 125 "authentic leaders" (George's term, defined in the book) from all levels and areas of leadership. Quite useful.
Helps you understand how your personal values and experiences, esp from childhood, shape your leadership style. I particularly liked the "crucible" moments of very successful leaders like Kevin Sharer.
The exercises in the Appendix can be powerful if you do them!
The exercises in the Appendix can be powerful if you do them!
This book was okay. It talks about finding your 'true north' and following it. IT is not based upon principles as is First Things First, but about finding out your passion and using it to help you succeed. I understand where they are coming from, but I like the principle based approach much better. Because I have principles, I don't really need to find my 'true north'.
bleh, not all that it's cracked up to be... Is a book that you can skim in 20 minutes and take away the same information as if you actually read it.
A good and thoughtful book that does not try to find a simplistic definition of a leader, but instead asks us to work first on ourselves before offering ourselves to be leaders for a cause beyond our selves.
Excellent Book for those looking for books to improve professional career.
I'm reading this as part of a leadership circle. its excellent
Great book to get you to think about your skill and life.
Meg
is currently reading it
Great motivator focus on my leadership self direction.
Bert Hopkins
added it
Excellent book written by a genuine leader.
Excellent!!! A favorite.
Kyle
marked it as to-read
Tim
Good book. I liked the short examples from real world leaders.
Great Book, this book created a shift in my parallax view helping to narrow the true magnetic north.
what really pulls me about this book, starbucks giving its employees health insurance because the CEO saw this was important.
My question is:
Obama 08 - Universal Health Care?
or is this a State by State Issue?
what really pulls me about this book, starbucks giving its employees health insurance because the CEO saw this was important.
My question is:
Obama 08 - Universal Health Care?
or is this a State by State Issue?
I'm not willing to part with this book. It is by far one of the best self-help (oh, how I am loathe to write that word) books ever. Really, I think it re-centered my soul. If I can get my butt into Harvard Business School one day, it would be to solely take a class with Dr. George himself.
Patricia
rated it
Recommends it for:
People who read WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?
Recommended to Patricia by:
Manpower, Inc.
Shelves:
sci-fi
This book has been assigned for corporate sales training.
Hooray, I get to go to Wisconsin the week of May 19th! I am so charging them a HUGE steak dinner that Wednesday as I'm there on my birthday. Ugh!
Glug, glug.
Hooray, I get to go to Wisconsin the week of May 19th! I am so charging them a HUGE steak dinner that Wednesday as I'm there on my birthday. Ugh!
Glug, glug.
Good book. Lots of interesting anecdotes. Really hits home the idea of coming up with a personal story that drives you and motivates you to lead. Also includes the importance of creating a vision and mentorship.
Samuel
rated it
Recommends it for:
People in leadership positions
Recommended to Samuel by:
Rob Anderson
Shelves:
leadership
Not a quick read, a little overwhelming with the info. However, many, many good points and challenges to take on personally in our leadership of others.
I read this for grad school - it wasn't too bad. Lots of interesting and inspiring stories of different leaders in all different realms.
It makes you rethink about your life, your values, aims and decide if your chosen way is the one that makes you feel comfortable and happy.
An excellent compilation of leader stories that exemplify authenticity and what it takes to become great at what you do as a leader.
hooman
added it
One of the best books on management. Focuses on the process of becoming a great leader rather than a long list of attributes.
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