Launching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influence

I need to return this book, wrong language

As a fan of leadership books, I try to read everything that comes out in this field. Unfortunately, reading hundreds of books on the same topic means there is seldom something really new--fresh, exciting, revolutionary that uplifts the entire genre. The last such surprise for me came several years ago in the writings of Steve Farber. But now, finally, comes another great addition to the leadership genre: Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward. Their subtitle, "Mastering the Five Levels of Influence," sounds like typical management book fare, but it isn't. Each level is vital, well-taught and interesting, and together they form a truly revolutionary model for leadership. This is not exaggeration--this book is excellent! I rank it right along with the best of Drucker, Bennis, Blanchard, Gerber, Collins, Deming, and Farber. It is destined to be a classic. Brady and Woodward teach that everyone will be called upon for leadership at some point in their life. They then turn leadership upon its head, noting that while many people seek leadership for the perceived benefits of power, control, or perks, the true life of a leader is actually built upon "giving power (empowering)...helping others fix problems...and serving others. Leaders lead for the joy of creating something bigger than themselves." This follows Greenleaf's tradition of servant leadership, but with a twist. Launching a Leadership Revolution shines because it gets into the specific work of leadership. It outlines many pages of work leaders must do, and explains which work to focus on most. But the book seldom uses the word "work", instead preferring the active "working." Just the list of "working" items for leaders is worth more than the price of the book. Maybe the best thing about this book is the authors' ability to take traditional, classic leadership basics and give them new, profound definitions! For example, the definition of learn goes from the old "a leader is always learning" to "a leader must be able to learn from anyone." Imagine the leadership revolution that would occur if top executives and government officials really did seek to learn from everyone! Another example: The meaning of "perform" is transformed from "please your boss" or "improve the bottom line" to "persevere through failure to find success." This is the best definition of leadership performance I've ever read in print. And the book teaches the reader how to do it. Likewise, the advice to develop others as leaders moves beyond all the clichés to become "learn to trust your people." It includes fitting them to be truly trustworthy. That's what leadership should be-- but seldom is even considered. There are many other examples. This book is a revolution that builds on the best ideas and thinkers of the past by applying them in fresh new ways applicable to the information age. We learn from case studies such as George Washington, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin and many o

Simply that. Those who choose to read this book have taken the first step toward a better future not only for themselves but for the USA and even the world. Those who choose not to dismiss it as just another one of "those books" and who actually apply the lessons taught within have taken the second step in creating an amazing world for themselves and others. What remains? Vigilance. Stay focused and continue to use the Leadership Ledger to improve yourself and this book will not fail you. Read it often. Study it. Mark it up with notes and highlite it. Physically destroy it by reading it so often and you will find something new each time. I have passed out 5 free copies of this to friends and relatives who have all enjoyed it as well. (And I paid the $24 each. Glad they went down in price as well.) Final Note: It is my understanding that 100% of all the author's royalties for this version of the book will go to charity. This can be verified by the authors and possibly the publisher.

Launching a Leadership Revolution is the best book on leadership principles that I have ever read. I have read dozens of books on leadership over the years and never read anything so easy to comprehend in my life. I truly believe a leadership revolution is coming and this book will be leading the way. I highly recommend getting this book and don't just read it, study it. You will definitely come away from it a better leader in your job, church, community or any other aspect of your life you choose to practice the principles taught by Brady and Woodward.

I have read several books on leadership skills, principles, values and developement, and I have to say this is clearly one of the best. The author's have written in a way so it is easy to understand and follow, using a level/step approach, allowing the reader to measure where they are at, and grow to the next level. I have personally seen and heard both of the author's speak, and based on all the leadership books I have read, to me they are true level 5 servant leaders. I also found it very amazing that on top of this book being an excellent tool for leadership developement, the author's are making a donation equal to 100% of all the advances and royalties from this book. I am so impressed with the purpose and significance of not only this book, but the authors as well.

This is certainly not the first or last book to take a crack at unwrapping the topic of leadership development, but I have to say, it is certainly the best I've read so far. Not a breeze-through, more of a textbook, but so through and specific. This is the kind of book I feel inclined to get into the hands of every developing leader I can find, it is that good. I have learned things that have changed my life and perspective in this book.