Leadership

Rating:
Summary: Good book - no classic
Review: Giuliani makes some interesting points about leadership and management in this book. Especially the notion of having to measure what you want to manage stood out for me. In addition to some other helpful views from his desk you also get an insight into politics as well as prostate cancer and the 9/11 tragedy. I do think that some of the contents is self-serving and it bothered me that he does not spend any time on what he did not achieve and why. My interest waned the more I read since the first two thirds are much better than the end and he also succumbs to repetition and less sharp writing in the later pages. On balance a worthy read for everyone with the information heavily skewed in Giuliani's favor. Managers can (re-)learn some lessons about leadership in an entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: Not What You Expect - It Is Better
Review: When I first heard of all the improvements in New York City under the guidance of Mayor Giuliani 5 years ago, I though maybe it was a fluke. Sure crime was down, but can you link NYC crime statistics to his administration - seems like a stretch ?? No it was not a stretch. In the book he walks us through his extensive preparation he undertook prior to becoming mayor. He descibes his in house seminars on crime and government - while working as a lawyer before becoming mayor. He explains his management systems to monitor the performance with quantitative data. He fires the non-performers and keeps the performers. He closes and consolidates ineffective agencies. He stops crime by starting with the small crimes. He sticks to his own conclusions and philosphy to maintain long term performance and employee/colleague loyalty. He is out front and visible. He holds morning review meetings. A good communicator. A great team builder. An excellent book on his management or "leadership" philosophy. If you manage any group or organization, read this book. It has a few slow spots, but you will learning something new.

Jack in Toronto

Rating:
Summary: Wanna-be Leaders and more
Review: 60 reviewers appear to have said it all about Giulani. My contribution to these kudos is based on my combined viewpoints as an educator, a civil service worker with 15+ years in a military environment, and a middle-level manager with 15+ years experience in the commercial sector.

I highly recommend Leadership for (a) wanna-be Leaders. Giulani's reference is from documented history-- that should make textbook theory spring to life.

I would consider recommending Leadership for (b) those who are already Leaders. There is no validation as good as a self-check.

Lastly, I recommend Leadership for (c) those who THINK they are Leaders. I think I am a Leader, and Giulani's book encourages me with the positive things I've done and reminds me where I need to review and revise.

Rating:
Summary: MegaloMayor
Review: This is a forceful account of an extraordinary series of events in modern American history by one of the principal actors. It should become required reading by any student of public administration, if only because clear principles for leadership are presented, then illustrated by practical examples. It is an important contribution to governance literature at a crucial level of government. However, we should not be blinded by administrative brilliance following 9/11, and forget to note that the book is relentlessly self-serving, anecdotal and personal, as well as highly selective of the indicators by which he wants his performance to be judged.

Rating:
Summary: Personalizing and Clarifying the "L" Word
Review: Leadership is usually hard to describe, but you know when you see it. Giuliani clarfies it with his own experiences before during and after September 11.
As I read about his accomplishments during his 8 years as mayor I realize that in spite of his awesome success he did not seem to be bragging. Crime down dramatically, schools improved. health care improved, child care improved, more parks built and more funding for the arts and on and on AND taxes reduced (Are you listening America?)
He shows a rare sense of moral clarity. He ushered Arafat out of the privately funded 1995 UN celebration because he was not on the invited list in spite of the protest storms from the poltically fuzzy; and the refusal of the [money] from the Saudi Prince who turned the 'charitable' event surrounding Sept 11 into a format to criticize the US and its foreign policy. Giuliani refused to accept this outrageous moral equivilancy.
A lifetime of learning and experiences often seems to prepare us for a defining moment: for Giuliani this was clearly Septemeber 11, but his accomplishments go far beyond that turning point. The real story is how he became that person who stood as the strength of America at that moment. That is the the book's real value.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book....slow read.
Review: I agree with one of the previous reviewers that this WAS a slow read, but it was a read that I learned a lot from. Giuliani is a brilliant man and leader, and his views on leadership, politics, and being a good human being were something that I hope to benefit from.

It was extrememly interesting to read his blow by blow accounts of what happened on September 11. He handled the entire situation with the utmost professionalism and perfect grace.

Where the book gets slow is in other areas talking about certain events that have happened throughout his career as an attorney, and as an aspiring politician. Though important to the premise of the book, they get a little long winded which is why this book took me a while to read.

All in all, a good book for anyone interested in Giuliani the man, as well as learning good leadership and success skills.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Concepts but SLOW Reading
Review: During the tragedies of the World Trade Centers I really was impressed by how Mr. Giuliani handled himself. He kept calm, gave hope, and covinced us that things were going to be ok. When he came out with this book I just knew I had to read it. I am a manager myself and I follow many of the guiding principles that Mr. Giuliani does. I believe that many of his leadership techniques are very valid and useful. However, the pace that he explains these techniques is very slow. I'm an avid reader but it took me quite a while to get through this. Regardless, if you are looking to hone your leadership skills this is a book you should take the time to read. Some concepts you will glean from this book include: surrounding yourself with the best people, don't compromise your values, capture the results (you can't fix what's broken if you don't know it's broken), stay loyal, and so much more. On top of the excellent leadership skills, you will get a behind the scenes story on how he handled 9/11. In fact, I am even more awed by this man now than ever before. He has such strong leadership traits that I would thoroughly enjoy working for him!

Rating:
Summary: A passionate and compelling account...
Review: First of all, from a purely pragmatic standpoint, few can deny that Rudolph Giuliani is a results oriented leader. Having inherited a city ravaged by crime and internally broken, he truly transformed one of the greatest cities on Earth. This book provides numerous accounts which show he is a hands-on manager who is willing to provide a strong response to any problem. Additionally, he is one of the most aggressive leaders in the United States -- behind that smile is one tough person.

Giuliani tells of how ideas are important and it seems he is a man who likes to think. That's a trait which is much needed in leadership today.

He writes of the essential element which all great leaders must have, which is the possesion of strong beliefs. However, I was dissapointed that he wasn't candid in telling how he personally develops his 'strong beliefs'. Yes, he talks of family, but families can sometimes transfer 'good beliefs' and sometimes they can transfer 'bad beliefs'. History tells of great leaders who led their countries to ruin -- morally, economically, and militarily. I wish Giuliani had made the distinction between great 'good' leaders and great 'bad' leaders and explained the difference -- including how he personally tests and measures against principles to ensure decision are made rightly.

Giuliani's devotion and love of his work shines brightly throughout the book. He clearly has a love and passion for New York and its poeple. This book is a gift and a great read, by a proven leader.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but misleading title
Review: Giuliani's book is good - I'll give him that, but I was expecting more. The leadership principles discussed by Giuliani are relevant and useful, but the book may be better titled as "My Experiences in New York City." Each chapter simply examines his experiences working for the United States government and later for the city of New York and the challenges and decisions he faced. "Leadership" reads more like an autobiography than a book designed to provide one with the skills necessary to be a great leader. I look up to Giuliani and admire what he did for NYC, but I also think that there are better books out there if one is merely interested in leadership training, skills, and principles. "Leadership" is a good read however and I recommend it to anyone fascinated with New York City.

Rating:
Summary: So, you want to be a leader?
Review: Written in a first-person narrative, with relevant and lively examples from his own experiences, Giuliani teaches us the secrets to his success, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives.

Originally written prior to the Sept. 11th attacks, _Leadership_ was updated and adapted to include these events. Consequently, there are some rather poignant moments in a book that was intended to be light-hearted and matter-of-fact. Nonetheless, it is still an inspiring and educational book.

Giuliani's insight and clarity are unparralled in this genre. Most authors are academics who have not themselves demonstrated great leadership, but are instead analyzing others. Written by a proven leader himself, there is a first-person perspetive that brings greater truth to this book. While there are specific directions on how to be a leader, the book is more holistic than a "how-to" instructional guide. Read this book, and take these lessons to heart.