The Leader's Shadow : Exploring and Developing Executive Character

Rating:
Summary: Those who can do...
Review: And those who can't teach. Judge's book on leadership
appears to classify him in the latter category. I disagree
with the suspiciously glowing review of this nondescript
book. There is nothing risky in this book -- after all,
what is risky about the MBTI; or concluding that leaders
have to want to change in order to do so. There is a
lot here that is hackenyed, old hat and nothing special.
Skip this one.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly researched and written
Review: Besides the hackneyed MBTI theory and the smarmy interpretation, I can't believe Judge found no women leaders to interview!

Rating:
Summary: Shadow...What about it?
Review: First, the "shadow" is taken from Carl Jung and his Shadow Personality, Judge spends all of about ten pages talking about this (out of about 200), he should change the title. Second, the CEOs he interiewed are all from Virginia, Tennesee and North Carolina (great sample) and NONE were women. He uses the fact that none were women as a lame excuse to speak about leaders as "he" all through this book. Last, and most shocking, only 44% (40 out of 91...LESS THAN HALF!) of the CEOs interviewed provided results to his personality inventory. He excuses this fact with some platitudes and then proceeds to draw a chapter's worth of conclusions about CEOs. All in all, I feel the title of the book is misleading, the data is poorly collected, and the conclusions are misleading; don't waste your time.

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: I found this book both informative and encouraging. The detailed case studies of a number of CEOs in Judge's survey reminded me of both the humanity of the people leading corporations and their efforts to bring spirituality into daily actions. The exercises at the end of chapters offered ways to begin to incorporate one's shadow aspects. The book sends a definitive message to understand ourselves by exploring our unknown aspects. I appreciate the author's encouragement to CEOs and budding CEOs to do the shadow work that builds the necessary character to lead responsibly.

Rating:
Summary: Some interesting passages, but no new contributions
Review: The author uses personal (anonymous) interviews to describe a corporate leader's spiritual development. The book has some interesting passages, but really does not make any more contribution or provide any more insights into leadership than the blurb.

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: This book is little known and with good reason. Frankly, there is nothing here about leadership of any value. To add insult to injury, Judge's communication style is downright irritating. Should you wish to know about leadership, I recommend books by Goleman, Kotter or Collins. I was forced to read Judge as I am an Executive MBA student at the University of Tennessee, where Judge teaches. However, it's unlikely that you will encounter this book anywhere else.