Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage

by Robin Gerber

Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable ability to confront and overcome hurdles-be they political, personal, or social-made her one of the greatest leaders of the last century, if not all time. In Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way , author and scholar Robin Gerber examines the values, tactics, and beliefs that enabled Eleanor Roosevelt to bring about tremendous change-in herself and in the world. Examining the former first lady's rise from a difficult childhood to her enormously productive and politically involved years in the White House, as a U.N. delegate and an honorary ambassador, an author, and beyond, Gerber offers women an inspiring road map to heroic living and an unparalleled model for personal achievement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Self Help, Politics, Biography, History, Historical

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided I had to read this book when I heard the author lecture at Scripps College. It's a cross between a manual on how to become a good leader and a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. It was written for younger women, but I was still completely inspired by it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this while looking for Eleanor Roosevelt biographies. It was really good. It does give good insight into Roosevelt's life and it was full of lots of good stuff for being . . . not just a leader, but a woman in the workplace. Maybe especially in a male-dominated field. I felt really spoken to, like, "oh yeah, this is stuff I can do!" which certainly doesn't always happen in these kind of books.

I think I will buy it in hard copy.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for a professional development book discussion and it exceeded my expectations. Each chapter tells about a central aspect of Eleanor's life and then brings in modern voices to tie the themes to modern life. It didn't necessarily go in chronological order or focus too much on details and dates and always tried to relate the lessons of her life to the modern woman.

[Omar Halabieh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title indicates this book is about the life and stories of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, with a particular focus on her leadership abilities. As the author states in his introduction: "Eleanor Roosevelt holds an unassailable place as the most respected and well-known woman of the last century. In the year before her death in 1962, international polls repeatedly showed her to be the world's most admired woman."

The book is divided into 12 sections, each focusing on one aspect of ER's leadership:

1) Learn from Your Past

2) Find Mentors and Advisers

3) Mothering: Training for Leadership

4) Learning the Hard Way

5) Find Your Leadership Passion

6) Your Leadership Your Way

7) Give Voice to Your Leadership

8) Face criticism with Courage

9) Keep Your Focus

10) Contacts, Networks, and Connections

11) Embrace Risk

12) Never Stop Learning

Inter-weaved into each chapter are numerous stories from ER's life in which she has demonstrated leadership in these areas. As stated by the author: "If there are essential threads that can be pulled from Eleanor's story of leadership, they are her adherence to her values, her keen assessment of people's needs, and her ability to motivate those around her to take responsibility and work for change."

What sets this book apart is the structure, the selection of supporting biographical elements and the summary of the key lessons at the end of each chapter. A must read Leadership book!

Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful:

1) "Eleanor came to believe that learning and growing, remaining curious, and being open to change were essential elements of leadership."

2) "Eleanor exemplified leadership at its finest, but she achieved that status by starting with herself, looking inward with honesty and curiosity This enabled her to change the world around her."

3) "Remember that mentors can give you guidance professionally as well as socially and emotionally."

4) "Organizational skills and leadership talents can be developed in the home as well as in the workplace."

5) "What sets a leader apart is how he or she handles the lowest points, the darkest hours."

6) "Your passion doesn't have to be connected to humanitarian goals, but it must be deeply personal and important to you."

7) "Finding your leadership passion will depend on clarifying your values. Values motivate great leadership, underpin the actions that you take to build your leadership, and lead to lasting and transforming change...Every act of leadership based on your mission builds you capacity for making change on a larger and more transforming scale."

8) "Your leadership will be most effective if you stick to the mission of your organization...Stick to your principles and inspire others by acting on them. Demonstrate that you can be trusted and you will get the trust of those around you."

9) Warren Bennis: "Leaders articulate and define what has previously remained implicit and unsaid; then they invent images, metaphors, and models that provide a focus for new attention."

10) "Show your sincerity and passion as you communicate in both words and images. If you don't have the conviction to support your idea no one else will either."

11) "Distinguish between criticism that you value and can use versus criticism that is best ignored. Handle criticism with less emotions and more intelligence. Be open to constructive areas. Be strong in the face of unjust attacks."

12) "Your job as a transforming leader is to develop a clear, strong vision, to be determined and persistent, and to build leadership in those around you. If you do, you'll find that you can make great changes, achieve maximum success, and leave a lasting legacy as a transforming leader."

13) "Use every avenue, every method, and every opportunity to advance your vision."

14) "Recognize the give-and-take of networking. Look for ways you can help people meet their goals and assess how they can help you meet yours...Be a "connector" linking people in your network to each other."

15) "Accept that you will never be able to plan for or control every contingency; such is the nature of risk...Practice the positive - in your mind, in your discussions, in your relationships, in your actions. The glass is always half full if you want it to be."

16) "Be a leader who is a learner; be a learner who is a teacher; be a teacher who is a leader who motivates others to lead and learn."

[Susan Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt had a sad childhood. Her father was the only one who showed her any affection, but he succumbed to alcoholism following the untimely death of his son. Eleanor was constantly reminded that she was no beauty. Her mother-in-law frequently interferred in her life, and her husband, President Franklin Roosevelt, cheated on her for years. Despite these emotional hardships, Eleanor discovered and cultivated her strengths and became a much admired figure in our history. Her methods for leadership are the focus of this book. While I admire Eleanor's triumph over her personal tragedies, the methods she used are well understood today, and already part of the curiculum of any leadership training session I have ever attended. I think this book would be more suited to a much younger reader than it was for me.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerber does a fantastic job of taking the reader through the life of "First Lady To the World," Eleanor Roosevelt. I appreciated how she wove together the story of Eleanor's life with practical leadership advice and anecdotes about current women in leadership. In the current political climate, I found this book an exceptionally informative and encouraging read, and would highly recommend it to any woman who wants to lead!

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor was just being herself and that's what I liked best about her. She was a genuine person. This book was very inspirational and useful. I bought it when I was a manager. I quit my management position when I took a year-long academic sabbatical. It made me realize that management was not for me. But I can be a leader without being a manager, and that's what I am trying to do these days--while still being myself.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - The writing was pretty good with some nice examples. I rounded up because of the history of Eleanor Roosevelt that I wasn't previously aware. This is probably a good book for someone seeking leadership tips.

[Veronica Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite book. Moving, encouraging, inspiring, activating. Part biography, part guidebook, it is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to grow as a leader and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is it just now, approaching 40, that I’m reading about the incredible life of impact Eleanore Roosevelt had?!?? Why was she not taught in school at any level of history or leadership class I ever took??! If I were an educator, she’d be at the top of my must study list!

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I could give 4.5 stars in this case.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes important parts of ER's life and how she did what she did and breaks them down into lessons for our own lives and how we can be leaders following her example. There are great stories and quotes from ER and current female leaders. There are bullet point take aways at the end of each chapter.

[Géraldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just started this book and have not gotten into the advice section. Eleanor's childhood biography is inspirational on its own. Her ability to overcome the emotional adversity she experienced as a child is inspiring in itself. The book is great for someone starting into leadership, like an at home mom or someone who has been trying to move from a less experienced or less public position to one where confidence and assertiveness is needed. I found it ultimately interesting, especially if you have had a lull in your career and want a pick me up. If you are in the thick of your career or are comfortable and experienced in a management position, this is too light. It was a light biography and it opened up my interest in Eleanor's life and the great depression and Roosevelt himself.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One chapter talks about leadership skills that are learned as a mother apply in the workplace. And how those skills actually make you more valuable in the workplace. Oh yeah! That got my attention an dmade me like this book all the more. How validating! I have a few more chapters (but the book got "tidied" and now I can't find it . . . Malachi is known to stuff things in weird, random places.) It will turn up, I hope!

[Almeda Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "must read" for anyone who thinks Eleanor Roosevelt was an interesting wonderful smart woman who was say ahead of her time, or who aspires to be a wise intelligent leader herself. The author uses Eleanor's life and experience, including the effort Eleanor had to put into learning her role and the rules of the road in a time when women for the most part weren't expected to be leaders. I recommend it highly!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin Gerber has a creative way of looking at events in Eleanor Roosevelt's life and examining how they shaped her character and leadership style. Some of the modern day examples that she chose could have been better. Eleanor Roosevelt certainly made a difference in the world at a time when women did not have much power. We women of today can get inspiration from the way she learned from adversity and became a stronger person.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned there was a lot about Eleanor Roosevelt that I didn't know. Also learned that I don't much care for the writings of Robin Gerber (based on this one book). She did well enough when she kept to the history (as far as I know), but when she went into today's leadership and women in general, I wondered how well she actually knew us.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of many required readings for a leadership class. I thought this was a very straight forward and easy read. It helps you understand Eleanor and it is very inspiring. This book walks you through ways to be your better self and a better leader. I recommend to anyone who is interested in Eleanor or interested in self improvement.

[Tabitha Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for an Athenian Dialogue. Partly frustrated with it because there were a lot of references to other people who didn't have anything to do with Eleanor. She was a great lady who could have filled her own book without them. It had a lot of good thoughts on Leadership. One great thought from the book, "Work is easier to carry if your heart is involved." ER

[Sally Kenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot to offer. I don't think the personal leadership lessons and the random lessons from other women leaders work woven into a narrative about ER, but the lessons from ER and the literature reviewed makes this a book I would use in class. Wish there were more overt lessons about Lorena Hickock.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book I could read over and over again,...if I didn't have more books to read! Written very well. I loved how the historical aspects were written to be applied to today's leadership world. Eleanor Roosevelt Rocks!!!!Definitely a keeper!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's not especially challenging and the take-aways are somewhat obvious, but there are some valuable lessons to learn from Eleanor Roosevelt, especially as a female leader before her time.

[Kaneesha Danae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have this book to thank for wrapping my head around leading effectively. It is often hard to take a position of authority and do it gracefully, but this book really highlights aspects of Eleanor's life that we all can relate to, and learn from.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and fast read with a few good quotes.

[Karen Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all women of all ages! It should be required reading in high school. I understand why Eleanor Roosevelt is so important to American history as well as women's history.

[Barb Gant · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my eyes you cannot beat Eleanor.

[Anne Cummings · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much new here. Leadership principles are very basic. The biographical sections about her life are good -- but led me to expect something more insightful about leadership.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book about being a leader in life and business.

[MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not everything I hoped for but interesting none the less.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful. Motivating. Empowering.