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Leadership from the Inside Out: Becoming a Leader for Life
Leadership from the Inside Out guides you through a reflective journey to grow as a whole person in order to grow as a whole leader. We will not simply analyze the external act of leadership, breaking it down into a simplistic formula of ten easy-to-follow tips. However, you will gain some deep insights and practices to enhance your effectiv...
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 31, 2011
I often bemoan the vapidity of leadership literature which treats 'leadership' as a silver bullet which cures whatever ails any organization. Nevertheless the genre of business leadership has two sorts of books which have some important things to say:
1. Books which address managerial systems, administration, systemic approaches
2. leadership as personal development.
This book is very much the second sort of book, which is a sort of Self-help for the Corporate soul approach. Cashman proposes that the best leaders are those with personal mastery, purpose mastery, change mastery, interpersonal mastery, being mastery, and action mastery. So if you want to be master of your own domain, this may be the book for you. There is a lot of helpful advice, questions for self reflection and steps to help you integrate what this book says
Personally I think this book has some helpful things to say but that it is too individualistic and overly anthropocentric for me. Cashman at a number of points declares that religious and spiritual beliefs should only be followed as far as they aid personal development. The whole thing is theologically deficient and rather 'me' centered.
I got this on audio via my public library and will promptly forget everything in this book. But if you had a hard copy, you may find Cashman's tips helpful and it might make you a better (and more productive) person. Probably not.
1. Books which address managerial systems, administration, systemic approaches
2. leadership as personal development.
This book is very much the second sort of book, which is a sort of Self-help for the Corporate soul approach. Cashman proposes that the best leaders are those with personal mastery, purpose mastery, change mastery, interpersonal mastery, being mastery, and action mastery. So if you want to be master of your own domain, this may be the book for you. There is a lot of helpful advice, questions for self reflection and steps to help you integrate what this book says
Personally I think this book has some helpful things to say but that it is too individualistic and overly anthropocentric for me. Cashman at a number of points declares that religious and spiritual beliefs should only be followed as far as they aid personal development. The whole thing is theologically deficient and rather 'me' centered.
I got this on audio via my public library and will promptly forget everything in this book. But if you had a hard copy, you may find Cashman's tips helpful and it might make you a better (and more productive) person. Probably not.
November 14, 2023
I see some of criticism for this book because of people saying this or that about it. My perspective on books like this is if I have mastered the concepts in the book and they are not enlightening me to a new practice, then I see it as inferior. This book would push anyone to be a better leader whether at home, school, or work. I give this five stars because of five star book to me is one that I will study. And this is a book requiring study in order to implement its practices.
I have already learned to change my performance through this book in building teams. I've seen new skills and it's been a huge benefit and helping me be more authentic and having greater integrity as a leader.
I have already learned to change my performance through this book in building teams. I've seen new skills and it's been a huge benefit and helping me be more authentic and having greater integrity as a leader.
April 13, 2014
Leadership from the Inside Out is a book I was expected to read for a Graduate-level class on Educational Leadership. After the first few pages, I was turned off by the "meta-talk;" I am naturally weary of self-help gurus who name drop celebrities who they have helped to transform the lives of, and I was quick to dismiss Cashman as "one of those people."
However, a few chapters in, about the point where Cashman speaks of "leading authentically," I knew that there was something in this book original enough and, well, authentic enough, for me to benefit from and apply to the leadership roles I currently occupy.
This is a book in which you get what you give; that is, Cashman gives ample opportunities for the reader to stop and perform a task of some sort; whether it is to take an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses or goals, or take a moment to self-reflect, these exercises may prove helpful for you. Plus, Cashman mentions many resources for readers to gain more insight into certain leadership theories or programs, so again, that may be beneficial for some.
If, however, you view this book or the wisdom Cashman wishes to provide with skepticism, then there is not much this book can provide. I felt the same as these skeptics, and certainly, some of the exercises he asks of the reader were not for me, and I feel Cashman would be okay with that. However, there is something here for you too, I am sure.
However, a few chapters in, about the point where Cashman speaks of "leading authentically," I knew that there was something in this book original enough and, well, authentic enough, for me to benefit from and apply to the leadership roles I currently occupy.
This is a book in which you get what you give; that is, Cashman gives ample opportunities for the reader to stop and perform a task of some sort; whether it is to take an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses or goals, or take a moment to self-reflect, these exercises may prove helpful for you. Plus, Cashman mentions many resources for readers to gain more insight into certain leadership theories or programs, so again, that may be beneficial for some.
If, however, you view this book or the wisdom Cashman wishes to provide with skepticism, then there is not much this book can provide. I felt the same as these skeptics, and certainly, some of the exercises he asks of the reader were not for me, and I feel Cashman would be okay with that. However, there is something here for you too, I am sure.
February 21, 2012
I searched for a book to use in my Business leadership class at Argosy University. This book met my every need. The dean was very impressed with my find. The students in my class were really turned on by this book. I recommend it highly!
October 19, 2023
It seems obvious that people’s characters drive their leadership style. Of course, who you are, (largely) drives what you do! But this obvious fact has not always been apparent in traditional leadership and management training. Until relatively recently they have focused upon competences (alone), and typically tried to pin down what people must ‘do’. What this book does is turn that principle on its head. Leaders achieve in what they do, by focusing upon improving who they are.
Starting with that insight, the book is relatively simple. It defines leadership as ‘courageous, authentic influence that creates enduring value’ and then it outlines eight forms of Mastery, which constitute the exercise of Leadership. In eight chapters it spells out the content of each type of mastery, concluding each chapter with an exercise for readers to ponder.
It’s a simple, clear and profoundly sensible approach to leadership training. And so it is difficult to imagine any leadership development which will ignore the insights of this book.
However, the more thoughtful leader will also recognise that the book’s simplicity includes some over-simplifications. For example, one of the buzz words of the book is ‘authenticity.’ This is a notoriously slippery concept as people tend to assume that ideas of being authentic, and being true to themselves, are always self-evidently appropriate. But that cannot be the case. Bullies are behaving in authentic bullying mode when they bully other people, but no one would suggest that it is appropriate or desirable for bullies to continue authentically with their bullying.
On the contrary, bullies need to stop their bullying. They need to stop being authentic to whatever it is that is making them behave as bullies. They need to learn new principles of non-bullying, which they can start living authentically.
So, leaders should not necessarily be authentic. Whether they should be authentic depends upon what they are being authentic towards.
In a similar way, some of the quotes in the book are a little simplistic For example, in Chapter 5 Stephen Hawking is quoted as saying ‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.’ Intelligent people may well see and understand the need to adapt to change, but whether they have the ability to go through a change process can depend on a whole range of medical and social factors that have nothing to do with intelligence. This point was made 2000 years ago by philosophers who noted that there is an important difference between intellect and will. No matter how intelligent people are, they can still suffer from a ‘weakness of will.’
Overall, this is an important book on leadership which deserves to be widely read. However, it must be read thoughtfully, otherwise various thinking mistakes can arise.
These comments are based on the 3rd Edition, 2017; which was read as an ebook
Starting with that insight, the book is relatively simple. It defines leadership as ‘courageous, authentic influence that creates enduring value’ and then it outlines eight forms of Mastery, which constitute the exercise of Leadership. In eight chapters it spells out the content of each type of mastery, concluding each chapter with an exercise for readers to ponder.
It’s a simple, clear and profoundly sensible approach to leadership training. And so it is difficult to imagine any leadership development which will ignore the insights of this book.
However, the more thoughtful leader will also recognise that the book’s simplicity includes some over-simplifications. For example, one of the buzz words of the book is ‘authenticity.’ This is a notoriously slippery concept as people tend to assume that ideas of being authentic, and being true to themselves, are always self-evidently appropriate. But that cannot be the case. Bullies are behaving in authentic bullying mode when they bully other people, but no one would suggest that it is appropriate or desirable for bullies to continue authentically with their bullying.
On the contrary, bullies need to stop their bullying. They need to stop being authentic to whatever it is that is making them behave as bullies. They need to learn new principles of non-bullying, which they can start living authentically.
So, leaders should not necessarily be authentic. Whether they should be authentic depends upon what they are being authentic towards.
In a similar way, some of the quotes in the book are a little simplistic For example, in Chapter 5 Stephen Hawking is quoted as saying ‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.’ Intelligent people may well see and understand the need to adapt to change, but whether they have the ability to go through a change process can depend on a whole range of medical and social factors that have nothing to do with intelligence. This point was made 2000 years ago by philosophers who noted that there is an important difference between intellect and will. No matter how intelligent people are, they can still suffer from a ‘weakness of will.’
Overall, this is an important book on leadership which deserves to be widely read. However, it must be read thoughtfully, otherwise various thinking mistakes can arise.
These comments are based on the 3rd Edition, 2017; which was read as an ebook
January 3, 2019
Mr. Cashman has captured the timeless principles of leadership development.
Cashman's definition of leadership gets at the very core of personal growth and fulfillment.
He provides a comprehensive road map for individuals to inspire others and to assure personal growth and development in the people with whom they work.
As much as we try to separate the leader from the person, the two are totally inseparable. “Leadership is not simply something we do. It comes from somewhere inside us. Leadership is a continuous process, an intimate expression of who we are”.
True leadership begins with keen self-awareness. The book ‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ gives us a way to discover who we are and what leadership implies. This book challenges us to dig deeply into ourselves, examine our beliefs and motives.
Leadership is a way of life, not only an organizational role.
For me, the following statements were key:
- ‘Take total responsibility’
- ‘You are the CEO of your own life’
- ‘Don't just walk the talk, become the talk’
- ‘Grow the person in order to grow the leader’
‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ is one of the most "eye opener" books I have come across.
It questions our being, our purpose and our short stay in this world.
If we don't know who we are, how do we expect to lead others to their next level?
TONY VYNCKIER
Cashman's definition of leadership gets at the very core of personal growth and fulfillment.
He provides a comprehensive road map for individuals to inspire others and to assure personal growth and development in the people with whom they work.
As much as we try to separate the leader from the person, the two are totally inseparable. “Leadership is not simply something we do. It comes from somewhere inside us. Leadership is a continuous process, an intimate expression of who we are”.
True leadership begins with keen self-awareness. The book ‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ gives us a way to discover who we are and what leadership implies. This book challenges us to dig deeply into ourselves, examine our beliefs and motives.
Leadership is a way of life, not only an organizational role.
For me, the following statements were key:
- ‘Take total responsibility’
- ‘You are the CEO of your own life’
- ‘Don't just walk the talk, become the talk’
- ‘Grow the person in order to grow the leader’
‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ is one of the most "eye opener" books I have come across.
It questions our being, our purpose and our short stay in this world.
If we don't know who we are, how do we expect to lead others to their next level?
TONY VYNCKIER
October 23, 2019
3.5 stars
“There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential”
- Rusty Berkus
The combination of this book with one class from my MBA program helped me change the way I show up to my life. Helped me to be more intentional in everything I do and to connect with myself to increase self-awareness.
“There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential”
- Rusty Berkus
The combination of this book with one class from my MBA program helped me change the way I show up to my life. Helped me to be more intentional in everything I do and to connect with myself to increase self-awareness.
February 16, 2020
My focus for this year is creating a solid foundation for all of our leaders, including myself.
This book was the right book at the right time. It is totally focused on the inner world of the leader, not the external tools or techniques.
As a leader, when your internal values, your sense of purpose, your moral compass and your sense of self are all aligned then you will find the right tool and techniques AND you will bring their use of them to a much higher level.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough.
This book was the right book at the right time. It is totally focused on the inner world of the leader, not the external tools or techniques.
As a leader, when your internal values, your sense of purpose, your moral compass and your sense of self are all aligned then you will find the right tool and techniques AND you will bring their use of them to a much higher level.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough.
February 28, 2023
The masteries that the book describes are still relevant in today’s business world and reminded me 7 Habits of Highly Effective people. Some of them are internal focused and some of them external. One another important criteria for me is all of them are actionable whether you are a mid level manager or c-suit executive.
August 22, 2017
Very basic info but still grabbed some nuggets.
Takeaways:
There is only one true failure in life and that's not believing in oneself.
If you are irritated with every rub then how will your mirror get polished. - Rumi
Takeaways:
There is only one true failure in life and that's not believing in oneself.
If you are irritated with every rub then how will your mirror get polished. - Rumi
June 19, 2019
The start of the book is a bit difficult to get into. The first few chapters drag on and on. After the first 3 or 4 chapters, the rest of the book was easier to read and follow through on. Overall the information is great, and I will likely reread the first 3-4 chapters again sometime.
April 12, 2020
This may become my new leadership Bible. I actually read it twice, once on audiobook, which so impressed me that I bought the book and read it physically as well. There is so much to unpack in this book that it may take me years. However, I'm up for that challenge!
May 11, 2023
Good read, leadership is about the leading by example and having those on the team believe they can do more than they believe. Good insights, some sections were a little slow. Overall a valuable read.
December 28, 2024
Some useful practices and values in here, particularly borrowed quotes from other sources, but hidden behind some personal stories and CEO worship that absolutely do not align with my values. Honestly, a somewhat frustrating read.
March 25, 2017
Oh, dear. What a load of navel-gazing New Age hooey.
March 8, 2018
Good self evaluation tool, but he goes off the rails for awhile on a transcendental meditation rant. Definitely better as a print or ebook than audio.
May 23, 2018
It had a lot of good principles, but sometimes an author captures the material in a way that impacts your life, other times it doesn't. This one just didn't work for me.
September 24, 2018
great information just tough to get thru
February 13, 2019
First, know thyself! Many valuable concepts to work on. One of those books you need to revisit once in a while...
May 20, 2019
Actionable & Relevant
July 16, 2020
Somewhat gimmicky, but with interesting elements.
Read
August 25, 2020Wow... Awesome ... Reflections are powerful.
March 13, 2021
Very deep on leadership self concepts...
February 26, 2022
Kevin,
Awesome book! Man, this content could easily fill a decade if one were to attempt to implement it all.
Wonderfully practical!
Great job 👍🏻
- Joshua
Awesome book! Man, this content could easily fill a decade if one were to attempt to implement it all.
Wonderfully practical!
Great job 👍🏻
- Joshua
Read
January 25, 2023work
November 27, 2024
Half the chapters were good, the other half not so much. Like most self help books, pick up what speaks to you and chuck the rest.
Want to read
September 23, 2016Textbook for Lee Ann's Emmanuel OB class
September 19, 2015
I'm so used to Leadership books and their cosmetic approach that this one caught me off guard. Instead of the typical worn-out American mantra of "7 steps to Awesome", this author actually contends that Leadership is a by-product of a healthy inner world. Where one's individual relationship with their own internal demons matters more than all the "Power Habits" one develops. He argues that true leaders source of strength and influence comes from their integration of all aspects of themselves. We all have aspects that are unknown and these "shadows' are what become our demons. To prevent them from destroying us from the inside we have to integrate them. This process of integration starts with the journey towards the center of your own being. Through self-reflection and meditation. So many organizations pay lip service to the importance of "Integrity" but don't even know what it means. The root of the word being "integer" which means "whole". Thus integrity actually means a human whose internal reality is whole. That wholeness is what allows them to live from a mental & emotional foundation of strength. This gives their lives an oft-lacking authenticity that others then find extremely refreshing and inspiring. After one achieves that wholeness they then have the responsibility of helping others in their journey as well so that there will be more potential leaders after you.
March 5, 2015
This isn't a quick read, but it's a valuable read. This is one of those leadership manuals/workbooks that would be really great to do in a small group or with a mentor to guide you along the way and to talk about all the parts. I didn't do the lists, writing everything down, but read for concepts/ideas. I did however, copy (shhhh) some of the pages as I would like to write through them, ponder them, and discuss with friends as I learn and grow. This book is a definite must read for those either seeking to become leaders or those in leadership roles who do not seem to be getting the feedback, support, and growth back from their teams and those they lead. We are all works in progress and leaders can be developed if nurtured and we are willing and able to look inside for changes rather than expect the world to conform to our styles and needs.
August 8, 2012
Every time I leaf through this book I find more gems. Great for taking stock of oneself and deciding on new avenues for personal and professional growth. Cashman presents seven “pathways” that offer leadership development for individuals. They include Personal Mastery, Purpose Mastery, Change Mastery, Interpersonal Mastery, Being Mastery, Balance Mastery and Action Mastery.
Rather than relying on “action-able checklists” and to-do’s, Cashman believes that only by knowing ourselves through honest self-reflection can we grow as a person, and only by growing as a person “can we grow as a leader.” A cornerstone book for anyone interested in growing into one’s own authenticity.
Rather than relying on “action-able checklists” and to-do’s, Cashman believes that only by knowing ourselves through honest self-reflection can we grow as a person, and only by growing as a person “can we grow as a leader.” A cornerstone book for anyone interested in growing into one’s own authenticity.
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