Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned in the Military and Put to Wrok for Donald Trump

Although this book is written with a personal narrative viewpoint it is really a primer that summarizes MBA school in a short readable volume. Kelly Perdew has to be considered a super achiever. Just a short look at his resume: West Point, Airborne, Ranger, MBA, JD. He then took the skills and dedication that he had learned to attempt to start a new business in the videoconferencing arena. Here he learned that a startup company, struggling to raise money and made the technology work can do great things. He also learned that sometimes outside influences come in and completely change the environment. In the case of videoconferencing Intel and Microsoft announced a joint venture to do videoconferencing. The prospects for his company then basically collapsed. He focuses this book around ten leadership principles that sound like they came out of a military leadership manual. In fact he claims that he learned them in the military. On the whole they are good principles, they work for the military and in business. Just remember that sometimes the world around you changes. And when that happens as in the videoconferencing business, all your planning, all your principles may not be enough.

This is an outstanding book that really characterises the very principles that, when honed, molds a successfull, all around individual in a dynamic world. If you sit, read, take in and apply the words that Kelly writes, it will easily start building upon the basic groundwork for becoming a more refined individual. Even if you consider yourself to be at your prime, you can never stop learning - and learning from other people is probably the best way to learn. From reading the words that Kelly has written, I now garnish a huge amount of respect for where he is today by where he came from. His dedication for laying out these principles that sharpened himself into a highly dynamic and motivated individual expresses to me that he is truely a man of inspiration that challenges himself on a consistant basis. Duty, Impeccability, Passion, Perserverance, Planning, Teamwork, Loyalty, Flexibility, Selfless Service, Integrity. All of which, we as humans should constantly strive daily to refine each of these aspects of our life. I can not express to you how important it is to keep working on your personal and professional development for your personal life and your career. Stay Motivated and Stay Persistant in your dreams. As for the style of the book. I got this book Friday night and I started reading it immediately. I really wanted to find out what built Kelly to where he is right now, and what he really values from his experiences by his principles. I simply tore through the book. I really couldn't put it down, honestly. I read a quarter of it friday night and came back to it saturday night to finish it up. It is very easy to the eyes and very easy to become captured by the writing. A well developed book and I would definitely recommended it to be put in your professional development library at home! I volunteered 4 years of my life to the Marine Corps (01-05) and in this book is everything I stressed as a Marine and pushed my Marines under me to understand. These are truely the fundamental building blocks to your professional future and you should always be aware of improving yourself. Overall, for the price, you can not beat the experience shared within.

Some business books are whiny and academic and detached from the "real" business world. Some motivational books are too preachy, unrealistic, and downright hokey. However, in Take Command, Kelly gives us the best of both genres. This book is long on practical business tips and formulas told with interesting stories (MotorPride - the virtual company). Take Command gives us a great set of life lessons that everyone should read, reflect upon, and incorporate one or more in their own life ("some things will seem impossible. But only one thing is certain: if you give up, you certainly wont make it"). I just really enjoyed this book. An enjoyable read, about a solid guy, with a great story to tell. It is very clear why Kelly was selected by Donald Trump to be his Apprentice...Ok, I can't give it all away...read the book ;)

I am usually skeptical of these sorts of books, as some authors are seeking to maximize their moment in the spotlight. However, Kelly does a phenomenal job of balancing his Trump experiences with solid and interesting experiences throughout his life and how they all tie into business success. Too often, the author litters the text with "I" and "me" and the work stinks of arrogance - not the case with this book. Kelly humbly admits that most of his successes are due to support of others, which is a remarkable characteristic of a great leader. The is a book about Kelly and his life, but there are enough references to "the troops" and "we" and "they" to understand that Kelly truly is an unselfish and appreciative leader, very willing to recognize other people's contributions as playing a significant role to his personal success. Very refreshing! I also love the fact that he draws on the life experiences and wisdom of other respected leaders, another indicator that Kelly has succeeded, but wants to continue to learn from those before him. The book is well-organized and easy to read; I actually read it in one sitting. Again, this is a refreshing example of very interesting personal anecdotes folded into a well constructed presentation of leadership principles. I am going to use it as a text in not only the classes I teach (part time), but for my employees in my full time job as well. Great job! For a change, I am looking forward to a sequel, and wish Kelly the best success.

This is an excellent book for all women and men to read! I was worried the book may focus too much on the military and that as a non-military woman, I may be unable to relate to it. That is not the case at all. Perdew, and the business icons he interviewed, clearly outline the 10 principles each of them has used to achieve success, not only in their business lives, but in their personal lives as well. This is an inspiring read that will provoke thought within yourself, as well as give you a very personal perspective on the military (one of his brothers was in Iraq for a year), business situations, and Donald Trump. A great book for America's youth (high school/college)as they become the leaders of tomorrow. Every person should read this book and incorporate these principles into his or her daily life.