We seem to live at a time of first class problems and second class leadership. The old order has changed yielding place to a far more exacting, insecure, rushed and dangerous world.The importance of right means to achieve the right ends is brought out in this book, from history and biography. Be it Emperor Cyrus, Asoka or Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi.
There are three broad aspects to the study of leadership – of techniques, of behaviour, of motivation. This book concentrates on the last two. Behaviour is normally studied through in-depth analysis of case histories. Mr. R. M. Lala has attempted to study behaviour through brief instances under various themes. Each theme is an aspect of leadership.
The themes covered are:
Communication: Awakening the Hidden Will
Compassion: Beyond Pity
Competence: Difference Between
Courage: “Grace Under Pressure”
Decision-Making: Judgement can be Developed, Not Acquired.
Humility: A Recipe for Success or Failure?
Integrity: Are Ends and Means Separable
Man-Management: Making Others Great
Purpose: “This One Thing I Do”
Stamina: Unremitted Effort Risks Health and Creativity
Teamwork: When Purpose Wakens, Teamwork Falters
Training: Teaching Ten Others
Vision: Beyond the Excitement of the Moment
Conclusion: The Need for a Reference Point
There is a profile of an Ideal Leader: Kim Beazley Sr. who spearheaded the movement for justice for the Australian Aborigines
This is the second edition of the book “In Search of Leadership”. It carries an Appendix on ‘The Business Ethics of J.R.D. Tata’ and a piece on qualities of leadership by Azim Premji.
‘The book not only a great book but an education. We need tall people, high-thinking people and this book by Russi Lala is a fine example of what must be prescribed and taught in high schools and universities’.
- Fali S. Nariman at the book launch of the second edition.
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