Transforming Leadership: The Pursuit of Happiness

by James MacGregor Burns

An award-winning historian critically examines the role of leadership in the twenty-first century, outlining a program of "Transforming Leadership," through which leaders can become agents of positive social change. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Leadership, History, Nonfiction, Business, Biography, Political Science, Management

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

An award-winning author of presidential and leadership studies, James MacGregor Burns was the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Government Emeritus at Williams College and Distinguished Leadership Scholar at the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his bachelor's degree from Williams College and his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard, and he also attended the London School of Economics. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was past president of the American Political Science Association and the International Society of Political Psychology.

Reviews

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books that turns out to be far different from what you expect.
When I got to the part where the author thought Woodrow Wilson was a strong and visionary leader at the Versailles,

I wondered, what planet has this guy been living on???

Hasn't he read anything by JM Keynes about that event?
I'm sure he has, but decided to write his own version of history.

Here's a sample:
Still more has been told about the president's statecraft at Versailles in the first months of 1919 as he hammered out a peace treaty and postwar plans with the other Allied leaders,
and about his alleged stubbornness and rigidity in dealing both with his fellow heads of state in Paris and with his adversaries back in Washington." bla bla bla

Everyone else says Wilson was ineffectual in standing up to the French & British,
a dottering fool not far from death.

Who do you want to believe?

Another book like this, and I'll add a non-fiction novel shelve.

[Geni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my transformational leadership class in grad school. I'm sure this guy is quite the historian, but the way he approached the historical examples he examined seemed very self-indulgent and his treatment of the subject material too pedestrian. His perspective was frustratingly ethnocentric, citing American exceptionalism, and was relatively dismissive of the leadership contributions of other cultures and nations. I found later chapters about political parties and the fluidity of a leader-follower dynamic to be much more helpful and well founded though.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some really interesting ideas about leadership. Many leadership books I have read have been focused on examining leadership through the lens of either business management or a more abstract theoretical/academic frame of reference. This books frame of reference is drawn more from history and politics and the role that leadership plays in creating transformational change in democratic societies. This unusual frame of reference was very helpful for me to consider leadership from a different and valuable perspective. I will need more time to fully ponder and digest his message.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The major take-away: transformational leaders empower their followers by addressing their followers' needs, often by casting these needs as values. Transformational leaders thus motivate their followers. This is in contrast to transactional leaders, who focus on making deals.

[Marjorie.harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you are thinking of leading... anyone... in school, your community, your church... you must read this...

[Adam E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started great with a philosophical background of the concept of leadership, then just never seemed to build on that or go anywhere.

[Tommy Kiedis]

Burns asks, “Where is leadership a causal force?” “Almost everywhere,” is his reply (222). I agree. And because leadership is needed as a causal force, leaders need a well-rounded, carefully constructed idea of leadership that leads not to simple transactional change, but to real transformation, the causal force of shared values moving toward a common goal.

As few others do, James MacGregor Burns provides such a careful explanation and construct. This is a book, to borrow from Sir Francis Bacon, that must be “chewed and digested.” Approach Transformational Leadership from that perspective and it will yield insights aplenty!

Visit On My Walk to read my review.

[Sergio Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the father of formal leadership studies, Transforming Leadership provides a foundation for a general theory of leadership which makes a distinction between transactional and transforming leadership. As a political historian, he draws on stories of leaders, movements, and revolutions from the past to understand the anatomy of social transformation. A must read book for those seeking to exercise leadership for social change.

[STALIN · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the different examples and perspectives of leaders from time to time. Makes me think how history repeats itself when we don’t learn from the past. Also, it is impressive to see the impact of transactional leaders and the negative impact they could lead in our lives and overall nations. Wishing to see more often and make transformative leaders these days, and hopefully, I will become the one my family and community need.

[Q Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this was an interesting audiobook, I was hoping for how the leaders did their transformation leadership. This book basically just gave a history and information. Just not what I was expecting or wanted. It was an audiobook, and I listened to it on 2.25x speed. It probably took about 5 hours to listen to.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt more like a history book than a leadership book. Also was more political. I anticipated learning about what makes good leaders but if that’s what you are hoping for, do not get this book. Not an interesting read either.

[Lexi Trubiano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this for school :( but it counts

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

James MacGregor Burns, pulitzer prize winner has produced another winner! This is an easy read where Burns produces a thesis focused on how the truly great leaders are transformers. They mobilize and respond to followers and create changes that are real, deep, comprehensive, durable, grounded in values. I was especially interested in Thomas Jefferson, and how his writing of the Declaration of Independence was a great example of the how great IDEAs can be written that portrays the needs and ideas of the colonists succinctly.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

READ JUN 2010

Excellent use of history and global political leaders to illustrate effective transformational leadership. The ideas presented are applicable to all organizations regardless of type, size or location.

Best quote, "No one is more arresting than the person who breaks through his confining environment, seizes opportunities, overcomes all obstacles, and changes how the rest of us perceive, think, and act" (pp. 153-154).

[Nicole Marble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burns is a professor and this book reads like a long classroom lecture - a very good lecture!
Addressed in detail is the nitty gritty of just how the U.S. Constitution got to be what it is, and it wasn't easy!
Also seen in detail is the French Revolution and its violence followed by other constitutions as the French tried to get it right.
And other ramblings about American politics.

[Sam Motes · Rating 4 out of 5]

More historic than I anticipated rather than on focusing on leadership traits but I should have known that by the author being Burns who is a renowned historian. It was a good synopsis of each leader in a mini biographic style. The discussion of why Hitler may have been a strong dictator who molded the will of his people but he was not a strong leader. Interesting read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy listening in one sense, on a subject that gets a lot of press with far too little comprehension. And it isn't like there are not more and more books on the subject all the time. The paragraphs on Maslow took me back a few years. There are probably other more modern titles on 'transforming leadership' that can clue you in, but this one may be what you're after.

[Bjorn Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy read but excellent content.

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ol' Professor Burns is the master of all things leadership. Go Ephs!

[Jenn | Thrice Read | HitTheBooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF