The Arc of Ambition: Defining the Leadership Journey

Rating:
Summary: Finding the balance
Review: Champy and Nohria have written a book that describes the traits and behavior that define some of the great leaders in world history and today. By pinpointing how each of these remarkable characters used a trait or actions in such a way that they became successful.

The Authors points out leadership qualities as a set of rules to live by. From "seize the moment" and "be prepared", to the issues of having a "higher purpose" and to "never violate" your values. And other insights into how important it is to "change" and "knowing when to leave". Each point is re-inforced with the real life example of well known individuals.

All of the people mentioned in the book are without a doubt ambitious, but such ambition itself is difficult to compare to oneself, because everyone has a different balance curve on their arc of ambition. As the authors point out, it's up to the individual to find their own balance between when to go for something and when to cut their losses.

Although I found it difficult to compare my own ambition to people like Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs or Michael Dell, the book offers pointers, if not solutions to what the leadership journey should be.

Rating:
Summary: The Arc of Ambition offers encouragement and entertainment.
Review: Mr. Champy and Mr. Nohria have managed to weave a path through history, business, science, psychology and pleasure with this book. Offering insights and theories into the characteristics of ambition allows readers to see that achievement is possible for anyone willing to make the commitment, while the stories behind each stage in the arc show that success is not merely a "magic moment" that is reserved for or inherited by a select few.

The Arc of Ambition is as entertaining to read as it is enlightening. The stories of other peoples' journeys take this well beyond Ambition 101 and integrate it into our everyday world. The book encourages each of us to carefully examine our dreams and ideas, and to consider the joy of creating something of value for the future.

This is a must read for everyone, from young people entering college to those of us coping with the daily frustrations of the business world. It offers a path to making a difference.

Rating:
Summary: A complete waste of time
Review: Not a single insight. Not a single "aha". Go read something else.