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The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow
Offering a Glimpse Into the Strength, Wisdom, and Self-Mastery of Exceptional Leadership This insightful and engaging book speaks volumes on ways in which all of us, at any level, can improve our leadership impact and develop the humility, integrity, and honor that instills hope and confidence in others. Drawing on over 25 years of leadership experience, Bruna Martinuzzi brilliantly conveys the essential guidelines for the emotionally intelligent leadership needed for enduring success. Some leaders are exceptional human beings, people that others genuinely want to follow; the book uses the Yiddish word Mensch , meaning "real person of character" to describe these worthy leaders. Martinuzzi takes the reader on a transformative journey to a way of living, self-discovery, and personal strength that translates into becoming a person who authentically inspires with empathy and confidence -- and successfully motivates others to follow by example, a mensch-leader. Written for senior and emergent leaders, as well as coaches and mentors, Leader as a Mensch reminds us that followers strongly impact and sustain good leadership -- and, before you can lead any group, team, or organization, you must first lead yourself. This book is anyone wanting to enhance the way he or she supports and influences others at work and in life. An unsurpassed glimpse into the strength, wisdom, and self-mastery of true leadership, Bruna Martinuzzi's inspiring words close with an equally inspiring appendix, complete with an extensive listings of books, articles, and emotional intelligence frameworks to use on your path toward your personal best.
151 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Bruna Martinuzzi
4 books11 followersAuthor, speaker and educator specializing in leadership, emotional intelligence and presentation skills.
Authored two books: Presenting with Credibility: Practical Tools and Techniques for Effective Presentation (2012) and The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow (2009).
Speaks 6 languages (including French, Italian, Greek, Arabic and German). Graduate of the University of British Columbia (BA 1981 and MA 1986). Izaak Killam Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award (for 3 years in a row); Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Award; Unusual Innovation in the Workplace Award (1992).
Authored two books: Presenting with Credibility: Practical Tools and Techniques for Effective Presentation (2012) and The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow (2009).
Speaks 6 languages (including French, Italian, Greek, Arabic and German). Graduate of the University of British Columbia (BA 1981 and MA 1986). Izaak Killam Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award (for 3 years in a row); Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Award; Unusual Innovation in the Workplace Award (1992).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 15, 2021
"Education is what remains after one has left school" Albert Einstein said, he also made the statement "Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character."
I certainly did not understand these words as well as I do now, having read Bruna Martinuzzi's "The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow". Words that I do not think are even in this book.
I cannot speak for the effect that this book will have on you, all I can say is that I came upon this book through random scrolling of the internet for recommended reading on emotional intelligence. Perhaps it is my protestant roots that I have so aptly rejected for the majority of my life as a scientist, but having a book that literally lays out the traits of a Mensch Leader, as a list of rules based on personal interpretation, is a good start. Of course Mrs. Martinuzzi explains at the beginning of the book where the term Mensch comes from, a Jewish term, and speaks to the strength of Bruna's writing as an author and embodiment of a leader that she can use such a term as a model that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the character of the human soul. In fact you might be so inspired, like me, from this book that you would see to it that you became a leader in your own life.
But Bruna Martinuzzi's stroke of genius in identifying these traits and explaining their function in life is only the start. She doesn't sugar coat anything either. This isn't a long lecture on the origins of character, or personal stories laid with heavy handed metaphorical meaning. However, this book does tell you that you should use personal stories to engage people, and recommends the book "The leader's voice" to develop this skill. This brings to the other strength of this book, a vast library of other resources to take your leadership skills further, and to digest the principles laid out in this book, and simple actions that Bruna has identified in her 25 years of experience in leadership in the petroleum industry that can have an immediate positive effect on your life. With tongue in cheek writing, for example, Bruna says "The three words that will calm you more than a weeks retreat, you are right". This book is a treasure trove of such observations, insights and further resources to expand your own abilities. This isn't just a book about leadership, it's more about a way of life that you can live to remain aligned with the good if you will.
This is what I have wanted to say through this review, this book has made me want to be a better person. And in the process, it has made me a better person. I stumbled across this book by chance, and it is by far the most useful non fiction book I have read in the past couple of years, it is certainly top ten. Considering that giants of this genre have ratings far surpassing this book with content that is less engaging, less concise and less meaningful baffles me. But Bruna would say "eliminate the unnecessary power struggles from life".
This isn't a book on mastering your craft, but mastering your relationships, and in doing so you will probably feel happier, calmer and more resilient. Please buy this book.
Also, how did I know she is Mrs. Martinuzzi? In this book, should you purchase it, Bruna has left an email address to contact her on about the book. Bruna took the time to respond to my email, a random person who read her book, and answer my question about her greatest joy, being asked to be married. If that doesn't convince you that Bruna is the embodiment of the values she shares, I don't know what will.
I certainly did not understand these words as well as I do now, having read Bruna Martinuzzi's "The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow". Words that I do not think are even in this book.
I cannot speak for the effect that this book will have on you, all I can say is that I came upon this book through random scrolling of the internet for recommended reading on emotional intelligence. Perhaps it is my protestant roots that I have so aptly rejected for the majority of my life as a scientist, but having a book that literally lays out the traits of a Mensch Leader, as a list of rules based on personal interpretation, is a good start. Of course Mrs. Martinuzzi explains at the beginning of the book where the term Mensch comes from, a Jewish term, and speaks to the strength of Bruna's writing as an author and embodiment of a leader that she can use such a term as a model that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the character of the human soul. In fact you might be so inspired, like me, from this book that you would see to it that you became a leader in your own life.
But Bruna Martinuzzi's stroke of genius in identifying these traits and explaining their function in life is only the start. She doesn't sugar coat anything either. This isn't a long lecture on the origins of character, or personal stories laid with heavy handed metaphorical meaning. However, this book does tell you that you should use personal stories to engage people, and recommends the book "The leader's voice" to develop this skill. This brings to the other strength of this book, a vast library of other resources to take your leadership skills further, and to digest the principles laid out in this book, and simple actions that Bruna has identified in her 25 years of experience in leadership in the petroleum industry that can have an immediate positive effect on your life. With tongue in cheek writing, for example, Bruna says "The three words that will calm you more than a weeks retreat, you are right". This book is a treasure trove of such observations, insights and further resources to expand your own abilities. This isn't just a book about leadership, it's more about a way of life that you can live to remain aligned with the good if you will.
This is what I have wanted to say through this review, this book has made me want to be a better person. And in the process, it has made me a better person. I stumbled across this book by chance, and it is by far the most useful non fiction book I have read in the past couple of years, it is certainly top ten. Considering that giants of this genre have ratings far surpassing this book with content that is less engaging, less concise and less meaningful baffles me. But Bruna would say "eliminate the unnecessary power struggles from life".
This isn't a book on mastering your craft, but mastering your relationships, and in doing so you will probably feel happier, calmer and more resilient. Please buy this book.
Also, how did I know she is Mrs. Martinuzzi? In this book, should you purchase it, Bruna has left an email address to contact her on about the book. Bruna took the time to respond to my email, a random person who read her book, and answer my question about her greatest joy, being asked to be married. If that doesn't convince you that Bruna is the embodiment of the values she shares, I don't know what will.
May 2, 2021
Nice compilation of other books to read but little thought through and mece meaning of concepts and terms
December 6, 2025
Blinkist
December 3, 2016
I listened to this audio book thanks to an app called Blinkist.
The key message in this book:
At the core of any successful leader is the desire to be helpful and caring in the most sincere way possible. That means, as a leader, it’s your responsibility to give people the tools, support and feedback they need to excel. First, however, you’ve got to develop your inner Mensch, firmly planting your roots, establishing your trunk and letting your branches grow.
Actionable advice:
Be generous with praise.
The next time you want to admire someone’s work, be generous with your words. Say, “I couldn’t have done it without you!” instead of saying “I appreciated your help.” Generosity engenders generosity. If you give praise, others will continue to give their best.
The key message in this book:
At the core of any successful leader is the desire to be helpful and caring in the most sincere way possible. That means, as a leader, it’s your responsibility to give people the tools, support and feedback they need to excel. First, however, you’ve got to develop your inner Mensch, firmly planting your roots, establishing your trunk and letting your branches grow.
Actionable advice:
Be generous with praise.
The next time you want to admire someone’s work, be generous with your words. Say, “I couldn’t have done it without you!” instead of saying “I appreciated your help.” Generosity engenders generosity. If you give praise, others will continue to give their best.
August 10, 2010
The Leader as Mensch isn't just about the theory of great leadership. Bruna Martinuzzi provides the reader with simple truths to being the kind of person that people instinctively follow, a person of upstanding character, honor and integrity - in a word, a mensch.
It is a short book, and so engagingly written that I read it very quickly the first time. But the insights it contains are lasting, and in the weeks since I read it, I have frequently found myself picking it up again to reread a particular section. Each page is so packed with information and tools I get something new from it each time I pick it up. This is a book that all leaders should have within easy reach.
It is a short book, and so engagingly written that I read it very quickly the first time. But the insights it contains are lasting, and in the weeks since I read it, I have frequently found myself picking it up again to reread a particular section. Each page is so packed with information and tools I get something new from it each time I pick it up. This is a book that all leaders should have within easy reach.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews