The Leader Within You

Rating:
Summary: Autobiographical, biographical, inspirational, instructive
Review: Bob Danzig was the senior corporate executive in charge of the Hearst Newspaper Group for two decades. During that time-and through his career leading up to that point, he met movers and shakers and a lot of "ordinary" people who made a difference in one way or another. In this book, he's tried to capture a wide range of experiences and perspectives-almost too much-to make his points about leadership.

The autobiographical thread starts at the beginning of the book and continues all the way through. If you're interested in selected aspects of the life of a highly involved newspaper man, this book will provide you with one historical anecdote after another. Danzig shares many of his experiences with people of significance and, well, other people of a different kind of significance. His professional life story weaves through the book-in disjointed pieces. I found myself wanting a stronger stream of consciousness, a more connected flow of this man's life. He is obviously a key player kind of person, but the reader never gets a full story of Danzig, the man.

To present and illustrate his nine powers of leadership, Danzig shares the stories of men and women who exemplify the powers he enumerates. He provides evidence for his points, describing how each role model lived the power he describes. Then a third person's comments are inserted to validate Danzig's points by lauding the celebrity. Some of these role models are well-known. Others are not as familiar to us, if known at all. As one example follows another in a well-designed flow, they help Danzig make his powerful points about the role of leadership.

Readers will learn about 9 Powers: Quality, Innovation, Inspiration, Perseverance, Passion, Character, Charisma, Energy and Enthusiasm. The instructional thread can be followed, interwoven with the autobiographical and biographical threads. While sharing some of the experiences of an important newspaper man, you'll gain from the knowledge and perspective he learned from the people he met and quoted in this book.

For a thought-provoking and inspirational read, pick up a copy of The Leader within You. You'll learn a lot about leadership, the leader with in you, and what you can achieve with the resources you have.