Genetic and environmental variations make fundamental differences in all of our characters. This inventive new book analyses how these distinctions, if understood, can enable leaders as different as Ghandi and Margaret Thatcher to be influential in their own way. Based on over two decades of international experience and research this is a practitioners' guide to develop a leadership strategy that will work for leaders and their organizations.

 

Many books on leadership set out strategies that have proven successful for others, and encourage the reader to follow these 'rules' for success. This book recognises that each individual is different, and that, to be successful, it is this difference that is the key to what will make him or her successful - in his or her own way.

 

The message is: understand yourself and your leadership strategy will emerge from that understanding of your character. Be true to yourself and you will lead with integrity and honesty.

 

The first part of the book explores character as revealed through deeply held beliefs and values, and through an examination of the events that have helped formed each individual's character. It shows how famous political figures have developed their strategies on the unique qualities of who they are.

 

An individual's lifestyle, the role he or she fulfils, and the ideas he or she has about leadership can form a cohesive whole. Extensive case material shows what happens when the key elements of someone's life become disjointed, and people try to become someone else.

 

The second part of the book shows how business leaders as well as politicians have developed successful strategies based on character. It outlines the elements of strategies that are suited to different characters, and shows how consistency in strategy is crucial to avoid sending mixed messages and appearing inconsistent or weak.

 

Finally, the book looks at the potential mistakes different individuals are likely to make and how to develop strategies that avoid the mistakes that derail leaders who fail to consistently fit their strategy to their character.

 

There is an extensive Appendix that helps the reader work through the book, developing a deeper appreciation of his or her own character, and showing how to find the best organisational fit, and a leadership strategy that will work for him or her.

 

 

 

'Leaders and development practitioners have an alternative to the search for the leadership model holy grail. Keith Patching's definitive work provides insights into the diversity of leadership, how to identify and develop unique leadership capability and tap into the broad base of leadership that exists in our organisations.' -
Terry Lockhart, Director, Leadership and Development, Merrill Lynch

 

 

'It is rare in the field of Leadership Development to have such a commercial yet intellectually robust work - I believe that this book shifts the paradigm. Keith Patching has given those of us who operate in Leadership development an entirely new way of looking at the differentiators between the champions and the "those who could have been successful if only" brigade - this book is commercial, rational, focussed and based on the experiences of a senior practitioner in this area for over 20 years. A must read for anyone in the Leadership Development business and those who aspire to be the next generation of senior business leaders.' -
William Warren, Chief Executive of Deabadh