Rating: 
Summary: Challenges Us to Think!
Review: This is one of those rare books that truly challenges us to think about our approach to leadership and its consequences. With numerous historical and contemporary examples, O'Toole contrasts tough, situational leadership with democratic, values-based leadership. By using tough leadership examples like Lee Kuan Yew who led Singapore from a Third World country to the First World and Jack Welch who probably has the best performance record of any modern CEO, he makes his task of showing the superiority of values-based leadership all the more difficult. In addition to the Rushmoreans - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and T. Roosevelt - he uses contemporary examples like Nelson Mandela and Max De Pree to illustrate the lasting impact of values-based leaders. He makes us question whether the short-term gains of tough leadership are worth the long-term consequences, even for Singapore and General Electric. His message is all the more relevant now that we have seen the damage caused by the Enrons of this world. His is a critical message and, if heeded, could make this a better world.
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