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Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis (J-B Warren Bennis Series) |  | Author: Bill George
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.00
as of 11/23/2009 17:55 CST details
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Seller: Schrader's Books
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 12517
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 160
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0470531878
Dewey Decimal Number: 658.4092
EAN: 9780470531877
ASIN: 0470531878
Publication Date: August 24, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
One of the country's most trusted leaders offers time-tested and real world advice for leading in economic hard times From business giant Bill George, the acclaimed author of Wall Street Journal's bestseller True North, comes the just-in-time guide for anyone in a leadership position facing today's unprecedented economic challenges. The former CEO of Medtronic draws from his own in-the-trenches experience and lessons from leaders (representing an array of companies) who have weathered tough economic storms. With straight talk and clear directions, George shows leaders specifically what they must do to become strong leaders and survive any crisis. His seven lessons include: Face Reality, Starting with Yourself; Never Waste a Good Crisis; and Be Aggressive: This is Your Best Chance to Win in the Market. Seven Lesson for Leading in Crisis is a survival kit for anyone in a leadership position. - A concise handbook for applying proven leadership lessons in tough times
- Written by Bill George one of America's most trusted business leaders and author of True North and Authentic Leadership
- Offers realistic actions leaders can take to put their companies on the right long-term path
Seven Lesson for Leading in Crisis gives leaders a solid strategy for staying the course.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 12
 Finding Opportunity in a Crisis Situation October 21, 2009
Bryan Carey (Houston, TX)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Seeing through a crisis isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be difficult and Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis is a book that is ready to help leaders through the uncertain times. This book is very timely because, although it is true that a crisis situation can arise at any time, there have been a much larger than average number of organizational crises in the past year The subprime crisis and the recession it spawned have had far- reaching effects that continue to be felt in most parts of the United States and around the world. Leaders at varying levels have witnessed some of the most critical tests of their careers and Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis is aimed at these individuals who could use some simple, direct advice on ways to handle a crisis and its advice is solid and, fortunately, not always obvious or predictable. Yes, some of the advice offered here is obvious, such as the book's advice to search root causes of a crisis and then formulate a plan. But some of the other words of wisdom in Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis are not as obvious. For example, how many people would even think to consider their own role in the creation or worsening of the crisis at hand? Most people want to point the finger at others, but like the book states, often it is the leaders themselves who created the problem and it is the leaders who, therefore, must solve the problem.
Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis offers some sound advice, but readers should not come here looking for in- depth coverage and hand- holding. This book is only about one- hundred, thirty- nine pages in length and even though it includes only seven lessons, this is still not enough time to cover every pro and con and every angle from which the lessons can be approached. This isn't that type of management guide. It is designed as a book with some quick words of wisdom; some sensible and direct words of advice on ways to get the ball rolling and lead your team out of the wilderness. Other than that, this book leaves the rest up to you.
This book offers some good examples from actual managerial situations over the years, and this is one of the book's many strengths. Not only does the book include examples from successful managers, it also includes examples of leaders who took the easy way out rather than make the difficult decision that the situation called for and how this oversight came back to bite the leader in the end. These success and failure stories are good because they help to illustrate the book's advice with real life examples.
Leaders constantly have to step up to the plate, put their skills to use, and solve a problem. This is even truer during a time of crisis and Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis offers some useful tips on ways to get to the bottom of a crisis and recover fully. A crisis situation isn't easy to deal with, but it also presents a golden opportunity to management: A test of leadership skills that will prove one worthy of his/her position and status. Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis wants you to end up on the winning side and while the book could stand to be a little longer, it does offer some direct and useful advice for solving difficult problems and leading an organization to new heights.
Wisdom for the Crisis October 18, 2009
John Coleman (Boston)
Bill George is widely regarded as one of the most ethical and effective leaders of his generation. His new book, 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis, distills the lessons he's learned from decades of living through and observing crises to help a new generation of leaders face them effectively. A follow-up to his popular treatises on leadership, True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership (J-B Warren Bennis Series) and Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value (J-B Warren Bennis Series), 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis is a short, readable iteration of the foundational components of crisis leadership. Each chapter focuses on a different principle (e.g., "Don't be Atlas") then elaborates on these overall points with numerous sub-principles and illuminating stories of effective leadership from both history and the current crisis. Some of these may seem common sense. Chapter 1 is entitled, simply, "Face Reality". But on reflection, these so-called "common-sense" principles are among the most regularly ignored or overlooked by leaders who are facing intense pressure.
At around 130 pages, 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis can be read cover-to-cover on a short flight -- but reflecting on the principles included may be just the right thing to keep a leader facing crisis on the right path. I'd highly recommend this book.
How to not only survive but excel during a crisis October 15, 2009
PT Cruiser (CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Bill George's suggestion to "Never waste a good crisis" sums up the 7 Lessons for Leading in a Crisis that he presents in this easy to read but very profound book. Some of his suggestions seem almost too simple and commonsense, but after reading through his examples of business leaders who have used these principles, it becomes evident that he knows what he's talking about. "Character counts" is a main theme throughout and his examples of different business leaders and how they handled crisis within their own companies support that. He also gives examples from his own career which include his experience as the longtime chairman and CEO of Medtronic. He serves as a director of ExxonMobil and Goldman Sachs, and also recently served on the boards of Novartis and Target Corporation. He is currently a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, where he has taught leadership since 2004.
Some of his examples of companies that have endured the recent financial crisis and survived (or not) make this book especially relevant to today's readers. He gives clear reasons why they either came through the crisis or failed, all backing up his 7 lessons. One of the main ideas is that a each person has his or her own "True North" or the internal compass that guides you as a human being at your deepest level. By following our own `True North" it's possible to not only survive a crisis but to come through it in better shape than before.
This book is targeted to business leaders but could be just as useful for anyone within a corporation or even a student who is just embarking on a career. There are no wasted words or complicated ideas in this short inspirational book. I found it entertaining as well as relevant.
Creating Opportunity Through Crisis October 7, 2009
Larry Underwood (Scottsdale, AZ)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Bill George has a well-deserved reputation as being a remarkably pragmatic and effective leader. His accomplishments in the business world are well documented. It's not surprising that he would compile this wonderful guide for helping anyone make it through the tough times; not just surving, but thriving.
The seven lessons George has laid out at first seem too simple to be true. That's the beauty of it; keeping things simple is the best way to make things work, for the long haul. In fact, getting ready for the "long haul" is one of George's lessons. I think the most valuable lesson George lays out for us is, quite simply, "face reality; starting with yourself". I can think of a lot of people who would benefit greatly from that piece of advice; myself included!
Another great piece of advice is a whimsical suggestion to "never waste a good crisis". I love it. George is telling us to embrace the wild and tumultuous times (like the present); have some fun. So often, some of the greatest opportunities in the world come along at times of total chaos; those who remain cool often stand to reap the rewards, as George suggests.
His advice comes from years of experience. Certainly, he's made some mistakes, but not many. His honest appraisal of his own actions make for a very compelling narrative. Additionally, he presents us with over 70 examples of real life leaders & how they've dealt with tough situations. Not every one of those leaders were entirely successful in their endeavors 100% of the time. Many are to be praised; some are contemptable.
In the final analysis, George presents us with a very human & wonderfully engaging handbook for dealing with any crisis situation. He reassures us to stay true to our moral compass. As long as we live our lives with honesty & integrity, we'll get through the tough times, stronger than ever. What more could you ask for?
7 Lessons for life October 6, 2009
Jim Estill
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I met Bill George (the author) last night at at World Business Forum. Bill is a very accomplished leader. He was CEO at Medtronics. He is now a Harvard Business School professor. He is also an accomplished author with his previous books - Authentic Leadership and Finding Your True North.
In person he seems bright, witty, and personable.
He did give me an autographed copy of his new book. As the title implies, it is 7 short lessons on leading in crisis. The lessons:
1 - Face Reality -starting with yourself. The gist of the message is "take full responsibility". Wishing it was somehow different will not make it so.
2 - Don't be Atlas - get the world off your shoulders. Despite facing reality, you have resources that can help in any crisis. Use them. Worry is not productive but creative thinking can be. Be willing to be vulnerable.
3 - Dig deep for the root cause. It can be easy to mistake symptoms for cause. You cannot devise a solution if you do not have the right problem.
4 - Get ready for the long haul. It is tempting to think of crisis as something the weather until things get better. I know in this economy, I see some companies calling this strategy. And of course he says, cash is king.
5 - Never waste a good crisis. The implication is there is always good in bad situations. In many cases it is the learning.
6 - You're in the spotlight - follow true north. In this section he plays on his earlier books. Be authenitic, be genuine. Be yourself - and choose to be good.
7 - Go on offense - Focus on winning now. Half the crisis is defense and getting through it. Now is the time to learn and grow through the crisis.
And of course, I have only just scratched the surface in this review.
The book is targeted at a business audience and uses business examples. I think much of it would apply to crisis in other areas.
It is a good book. Although it is short (139 pages), there is a lot of value in the 7 Lessons. It is a meaty book for its size.
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