The Arc of Ambition : Defining the Leadership Journey

Rating:
Summary: I don't think that this book is worth its price
Review: Champy and Nohria energize individual seeds of ambition by highlighting stories of a diverse group from Dhirubhai Hirachand Ambani, Michael Dell, Guiseppe Garibaldi, Akio Morita, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Ford, Napoleon, Alfred Sloan to Samuel Moore Walton. Those mentioned range from the self-centered to the selfless, all defining a future in their own way.

As an example, the authors tell the pivotal Rosa Parks-like incident that transformed an ordinary Indian barrister into an avowed crusader to end discrimination of every kind, a crusade that would transform India. The barrister with the first-class ticket, who protested the demand that he move to the car for the "colored" people, was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The "Mahatma" (great soul) as he came to be called, fought and won an unselfish battle against unjust deprivation of human dignity for people of India, eventually winning independence for India from British rule in 1947.

Champy and Nohria lead here a call to action that anyone can come forward and invent the future, someone needs to do it, and anyone can be that someone.

Bravo!

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 Tension of Human Ambition Unresolved
Review: Humans have a natural distaste for experiences of tension. We tend to want to resolve the tension by giving into one of the forces. The topic of ambition, particularly in America, is one fascinating tension: we believe deeply in the power of the individual to rise above humble means and yet, we tend to resent those who have achieved great wealth, e.g. Bill Gates.

Ambition has its seemy side and its positive side. Ambition implies that there is competition and in that competition, there will be some who come out on top. This is the tension of ambition in a capitalistic society and economy. As a result, any author who dealt with ambition would be tempted to slide toward either extreme: ambition is good or ambition is evil.

Champy and Nohria successfully fail to resolve the tension for the reader. They lift up the amazing trait of ambition with biographical examples and describe the occasionally ambiguous trait with other essential traits without questioning the motives or ethics of ambitious people.

Their thesis is that ambition is the driver for success in the world. Fortunately, they use a broad definition of success by profiling artists, businessmen, social activists, religious leaders, etc. They describe the three phases of the arc of ambition: the upward incline with its accompanying struggles, the peak of success and the inevitable decline that eventually occurs in each ambitious person's life. Their profiles help the reader understand each phase, the supporting experiences and traits and the opportunities and risks of each one.

The authors have written a business book that is not written with common, stale prose. While it is not as exciting to read as a Tom Peters book, it is definitely far from a Peter Senge anesthetic. They also assume an intelligent reader who can draw his or her own conclusions about the nature of ambition.

After reading this book, I have been very encouraged and excited about where I am currently at on my arc of ambition. I have a better understanding of what I am doing and how I am wired. This is a worthwhile read.

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: 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: Finding the balance
Review: Nohria and Champy do an admirable job of examining the power and potential of ambition. Not easy ground as ours is a culture that is almost embarrassed by the word. Ambition is negative. Ambition consumes. Ambition is selfish.

History shows otherwise and Nohria and Champy use historical case studies to dramatic effect. Yes, ambition has been at the core of some figures we could have done without. But, so too did it burn in many who made massive contributions to mankind.

It was downright merciful of the authors not to bury us in the typical motivational pap that usually greets us when matters of business and character meet.

Overall, a clever treatment of a tough subject that manages to both educate and entertain.

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

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

Rating:
Summary: Helpful Signs Along Ambition's Highway to Social Progress
Review: The Arc of Ambition is 'a handbook of lessons derived from the lives of great achievers past and present.' Think of it as today's version of The Prince for the ambitious in all fields of public endeavor. The authors tell us, 'This book is aimed at all those who dream of achieving greatness in any field.'

This book is rich, elegant, graceful and stylish . . . as befits a Wordworks product (based the note in the acknowledgments). That's the book's strength. The weakness is looking at the outward circumstances of achieving the desires of ambition while leaving most of the psychological wellsprings and ethical considerations alone.

The consideration of ambition begins with an insight into how things can be different. You are then advised to temper your pursuit of that insight with both optimism and perserverance for the unpredictable nature and length of your journey. Beyond that, you must act when circumstances make progress possible -- seize the moment, then! As you make progress, you must temper your ambition to create a balance of ambitious goals and disciplined execution. Then, inspire others with a vision of significance combined with shared benefits from greater victories. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to violate your values. If you make this mistake, quickly acknowledge your error and make appropriate amends. To create greater results, establish autonomy for others so they can be inspired to take action and benefit from their close perception of what needs to be done. As time passes, you will need to make changes or your leadership will cause your efforts to shrivel in effectiveness. Finally, when your time is past, leave the field gracefully.

You are encouraged along these paths regardless of whether your role is as a creator of the new, someone who capitalizes and expands upon the innovations of others, or someone who consolidates progress in more efficient ways. In fact, the best part of the message is the encouragement for each person to learn the lessons of ambition. 'Ambition, we think, needs a better reputation.' ' . . . The art of realizing one's ambition can be learned.' The primary weakness of this encouragement is that the book lacks examples of people pursuing ambition in humbler ways. You only get the movers and shakers in this book. You get the subliminal message that you should be trying to change the world on a grand scale, or you are doing something wrong. Unfortunately, that subliminal message will speak louder than the overt one to those who may lack self-confidence as they begin reading this book.

Let me say a few good words about the examples. I was pleased to see that they were not all based in the U.S. and that some women were included. The book would have been better if the diversity of examples had been even greater. I liked the examples that I did not already know much more than the ones I did. Of 39 examples, only 6 were entirely new to me. I treasure each of them. I think you will, too.

The missing psychological elements show up often. Michael Dell recalls wanting to have his own building with three flag poles in front as a young person. Clearly, that sense of personal significance was important to his progress towards having the insights that led to Dell Computer. I missed that perspective in the other examples also because I usually find the psychology of leaders' motivations to be among the more interesting parts of leadership books. Alternatively, I was pleased that the importance of an inspiring purpose for those who work with the ambitious person was recognized.

There is also a subtle, but important point that the book misses -- the difference between being ambitious for others or a principle (such as Gandhi or Nelson Mandela), and being ambitious for oneself (such as the early Duke of Wellington). Both types of leaders are presented here, but no distinction is noted or discussed. The ability to make progress when in pursuit of a principle rather than self-interest makes all the difference.

The book contains the question, 'What good is ambition?' As practiced by the best, few would argue it can help make a difference in the human condition. What hope should first spring in our hearts to make this ambition the most valuable to all? The book still leaves that point unclear in the end. The tools of successful ambition are not the same as the inspiration behind the most useful ambition. Perhaps that inspiration, too, can be learned. I hope others will study that question.

After you finish this book, ask yourself what exciting purpose inspires you to take the ambitious journey to change the world in small or large ways. Then consider how you can balance that ambition with your other desires and responsibilities. At that point, place yourself on the arc of ambition and think about what may be holding you back. For most of us, it is probably lack of optimism and perserverance. I hope you will also read Learned Optimism and Half Empty, Half Full if that is the case.

Good luck and be ambitious!

Rating:
Summary: Rise, Peak, Fall
Review: When you approach your return shot in tennis the position of the ball-rise, peak, or fall-is a critical aspect of the strength and accuracy of your return. I couldn't help but use this analogy in the Arc of Ambition by James Champy and Nitin Nohria

Many perceive business to be a process that generates results, namely money or talent. Ambition is believed to be a process that generates success, namely a legacy, money or recognition. This process has three and distinct stages. The first stage is referred to as the rise of ambition which is the initial dream of an individual and the drive and tenacity that he or she must exert in pursuit of that dream. The second stage is the apex of ambition where individuals seek to build an organization bigger than themselves. Finally there is the decline of ambition, the time when every achiever must cope with leaving the situation and either beginning a new endeavor or setting different life goals.

Champy and Nohria acknowledge that there are dangers to ambition and that when it is a "self-centered" force pursing greed and power alone is dangerous and destructive for both the individual and the humanity in general. They know that this type of ambition exists. There book was written primary to foster a positive framework around ambition and to celebrate its potential when it is used positively to allow an individual to reach professional and personal goals as well as to drive the progress of humankind-be it in art, dance, science or business. We as a culture would remain static if were not for the great achievements of motivated individuals.

These authors utilize a vast array of individuals both historical and contemporary to demonstrate the common values and character traits that these "ambition models" demonstrated. Over the course of 10 Chapters, we are introduced to a cross-section of individuals who have made great strides in personal and human progress. Historically, we relive lessons of Peter the Great, the Wright brothers, and the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie. Martin Luther King Jr. is acknowledged for the personal risk he took to reform the meaning of the American dream. We are reminded of the courageous and magnanimous Nelson Mandella and all that he has done and continues to do in South Africa. Of the modern economy we are exposed to Dhirubhai Ambani, a much respected entrepreneur from India. Michael Dell and William Gross are brought in as providing the template for modern technical ambition. Out of thirty-nine detailed accounts of ambitious individuals, there were only three detailed stories about ambitious women: Margaret Thatcher, Judy George, and e-Bay's Margaret C. Whitman. You do the math. I was disappointed that there were no historical models of ambitious women. The voices of Mary Wollstonecraft and Susan B. Anthony apparently were not ambitious enough to make the radar of these authors.

Another point that I believe was missed in this story was the fact that the models utilized had national or international acclaim. There was no call for individuals to acknowledge any of the many fascinating and ambitious people in our own neighborhoods. Just like the millionaire next door, you may be living next to a remarkable and ambitious individual that in small steps or in a quiet manner may be reaching remarkable personal and professional gains. They do, however, hit on the most important point which is that each individual is capable of seizing their ambition, "we believe that by gathering your strengths and knowing your potential, you will be able to determine your own destiny."

Are people only born ambitious or not? Or, can the qualities and traits that define an ambitious person be acquired with time and attention. This team seems to believe the later-that there are distinct aspects of ambition that can be learned, practiced, and ultimately developed. I want to leave you with the eight ways to elevate your ambition: 1. Achieve excellence in whatever you do. 2. Create great value. 3. Empower the individuals who work with you. 4. Improve the human condition. 5. Create fun and pleasure. 6. Invent the future. 7. Use profits for public good. 8. Improve the environment.