Book Review: Launching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influence

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Management Skills, those skills which allow one to manage either their personal time, plans, and goals, or professionally manage a group of people, deadline, or project. Meryl Runion is the Official Guide to Management Skills.nnLaunching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influence, by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward, is a valuable resource for people interested in Management Skills, and it is available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.nnnFrom Publishers WeeklynBrady and Woodward offer a detailed examination of what defines a leader, the qualities necessary to fulfilling the role and the common path previous leaders have traveled toward achieving personal greatness. Initially self-published, this effort follows up the duo's earlier bestselling effort, Leading the Consumer Rebellion. Contending that each of us has a natural wellspring of talent and ability buried within and will eventually be thrust into a moment requiring leadership skills, they lay the groundwork for being prepared to perform when that opportunity arises. The leadership concepts are strengthened by anecdotes like one involving the New England Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady, who led his team to three Super Bowl wins despite a resounding lack of confidence in his ability to do so. But quotes on leadership from sources as diverse as Mark Twain and golfer Tiger Woods, often three and four to a paragraph, can get distracting. The authors also occasionally get carried away with charting their concepts and awkward metaphors (e.g., driving against the traffic of mediocrity; avoiding the shoulder of frustration). But overall, this manual is one from which any potential leader—whether of a country, corporation or a small staff—could draw insight. (Oct. 22) nCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. nnBook DescriptionnSooner or later, we are all called to lead in some capacity.Leadership skills are vital in corporate settings, small businesses, church or community organizations, and even within the home. Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward have recognized this need and have jointly created an in-depth, step-by-step guide for developing leadership skills.Utilizing an abundance of historical examples, the authors have developed a unique 5-step plan that charts a course for creating and maintaining strong leadership in any organization.The plan guides the reader through the "Five Levels of Influence":- Learning: a leader must be able to learn from anyone- Performing: perservere through failure to find success- Leading: extend your ability by expanding your team- Developing Leaders: learn to trust your people - Develop Leaders who Develop Leaders: create a legacyThis book is full of prescriptive advice, quotes and anecdotes that illustrate their principles. nnAbout the AuthorsnCHRIS BRADY was educated in engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and a Master's in Manufacturing systems Engineering on fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University. He earned his Master's thesis at Toyohashi University in Japan. nnORRIN WOODWARD has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering and received training in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He is one of the most in-demand speakers in his industry.