The Leader's Digest: Timeless Principles for Team and Organization Success

Like his prior book "Growing The Distance", Jim Clemmer's "Leader's Digest" is a sampler of high impact ideas. Each chapter (or article) is attractively packaged as a brief essay within apt anecdotes and quotations. In marketing there is a saying that you sell the sizzle, not the steak. Jim Clemmer sells the rich, savory steak surrounded by the sizzle. Some of Clemmer's ideas are classic Business School. Some are recognizable from the pop-psych realm. All are uniquely restated in forms that make them quickly and easily accessible to even the beginning leader. And motivationally rejuvenating to the old pros. You don't read this author's books: you visit and revisit them like wise old friends.

I am a member of a leadership group at our worksite. Even after we graduated from our leadership program our group continues to meet regularly to discuss leadership in our worksites. Prior to meetings we have chosen to read a chapter of The Leader's Digest to discuss and see how it applies to our work. The examples, quotes and personal anecdotes and examples make the book a joy to read. Jim has found a way to present quality, timeless leadership principles in a very user friendly format. I look forward to every chapter!

The Leader's Digest is a book committed to those who have the responsibility to lead others. It is a natural sequel to Jim Clemmers previous excellent work, Growing the Distance. However, whereas Growing The Distance had a central theme of developing leadership from within, Clemmer's new book discusses valuable timeless principles for those who have the privilege of leading others within groups or organizations. The contents of this book are revealed in nine thoughtful chapters with themes including how leaders make a difference, leadership responsibility, possessing personal authenticity, the need for passion and commitment, and moving leadership into action. Clemmer is a natural author and his writings are enjoyable to read. He uses an easy to appreciate philosophical approach to teach both basic and complex leadership principles. The Leader's Digest is a book gently seasoned with frequent quotations, classic fables, personal examples and Clemmers own "how-to" points. The author does not simply reshuffle previously known leadership information into a new format. This book offers some strong originality and content. One example is the CLEMMER Group's Leadership Wheel presented in the first chapter. It is a "hub and spoke" model that shows how leadership begins at the core of our being and develops in many directions. Each part of the wheel reflects a different area of leadership and these areas are discussed in the succeeding chapters. The Leader's Digest is a highly recommended book because it is rooted in the most powerful and truthful principle known by great leaders. As Clemmer comments, "leadership is an inside job. We change them by first changing me... leadership begins "in here" and moves "out there." That calls for changing our lifestyle. It means developing new habits." If you understand the power that lies behind this remarkable principle, you will want to read The Leader's Digest.

I have read all of Jim's books over the years. I especially enjoyed "The Leader's Digest." I picked up several inspirational and practical ideas that will help me begin a new venture at our University. I agree with Jim's comment that "it is one thing to know, and another to do."When I owned and operated my business I saw to it that all our employees had the opportunity to read "Growing the Distance." It was a morale boost for all of us. "The Leader's Digest" is a very effective next step to expanding those timeless leadership principles. I plan to share it with all my colleagues who are trying to grow businesses in today's complex environment.

I thoroughly enjoyed it! I couldn't put it down once I started and found it to be an easy read. The way the book is written and the chapters formatted (quotations, anecdotes, stories, references to family, humor) is revolutionary. The linkages to Jim's previous books allowed me to easily understand and digest (no pun intended) the material and concepts.And by the way, "Let's be Frank" is a classic! I'm going to facilitate a session with my management team based on those pages.I find the Frank stories to be a reflection of the truisms in the workplace and Frank to be the spirit in all of us. He runs into the same issues and challenges that we have all faced at one time or another, but perseveres through what seems like an insurmountable series of set backs to ultimately get him and the business to where it needs to be. There are many timeless themes embedded in there that I really enjoyed.I am an advocate of the ageless principles that Jim's books convey and have worked hard at molding my behaviors so I demonstrate these skills as regularly as possible. I don't let people of rank or in power sway me from my values. Neither did Frank.I'm a Clemmer disciple that can't get enough of this stuff!