The Will to Lead: Running a Business With a Network of Leaders

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Summary: What an inspirational book!
Review: If all managers and bosses could read this book the world would be a better place. Marvin Bower has a simple and engaging style of writing that sets him apart from other business writers. I highly recommend this book for those looking for insight regarding their management styles.

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Summary: Great book on a philosophy and experience of a leader
Review: The Will to Lead greatest benefit is that it is a first person account of a proven business leader in a dynamic business. What is surprising about the book is that it is very non-consulting-ease even through the author is a former Managing Partner from McKinsey & Co. The first person account and stories contain mulitple nuggets of what it takes to be a real leader. You may have to wade through a few stories that seem a bit self serving of the author. However, these are only the recollections of a lifetime of leadership so they are certainly allowable. Other books on leadership (Kotter et al) provide a more scientific view, however Bower's been there and this is what its like approach gives the book credibility and value

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Summary: Great book on a philosophy and experience of a leader
Review: There is no arguing about the value of leadership versus "command and control" management. If you have read General Electric's annual reports over the past decade, you can probably skip this book. Jack Welch has been on a leadership crusade for years at General Electric, and results speak for themselves. But even at GE,and certainly elsewhere in corporate America, there are significant pockets of "command and control" managers and CEOs, who go through the "leadership" motions, but prefer a good old fashioned "I'm the boss", "do-as-you're-told" approach. Why? As Martha Peak explained in Management Review ("Mission Control", Management Review, April 1996), "the people now at the top got there because they do their best in a command-and-control environment". The "successful" CEOs are where they are today because "command and control" did so well under the old model. Which brings me to a suggestion for the author. "Change" should be on the top of his list of 14 qualities of true leaders. Not just the ability to change, but willingness to seek out change and use it as a tool. Jack Welch has been successful at GE not because he has kept his "neutron Jack" image throughout his tenure, but because he has shown a willingness (or rather, a passion) to change. I once had a "command and control" manager who said "Sure you're empowered, as long as you stay within the rules". I would restate that in the context of leadership as "You're encouraged to break the rules and change them to be more productive and better at everything you do". The book is worth reading, especially if you're not yet convinced that we need more leaders and fewer managers. But don't believe that without adding "change" to the "14 qualities" it will become reality.

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Summary: A good tale and framework for measuring your leadership
Review: Too many book talk about leadership with hyperbole and abstraction. They view leadership as a set of mechanical traits that one can possess, or they perform hero worship by telling stories about various leaders. This book does neither.

Bower provides the right amount of stories as well as his views on what it takes to lead. The books conversational style and well thoughtout ideas make it well worth the time. This work causes introspection that is more valuable and more action oriented than the other tomes on leadership, self help, etc.