Learn Like a Leader: Today's Top Leaders Share Their Learning Journeys

by Marshall Goldsmith (Editor), Beverly Kaye (Editor), Ken Shelton (Editor)

More than a decade ago, a group of bestselling authors, thought leaders and management experts-among them Marshall Goldsmith, Beverly Kaye and Ken Shelton-met to share their defining moments on leadership with one another. So taken were they with each other's stories that an annual tradition of trading leadership secrets was established.

A recurring truth emerged: great leaders seize the opportunity to learn, again and again. Learn Like a Leader brings together these remarkable stories of learning and provides a close look at how top leaders-including Jim Collins, Warren Bennis and Dave Ulrich-were able to grow their careers, overcome setbacks and soar to the top.

Offering profound lessons from key learning moments in the lives and careers of the contributors, Learn Like a Leader conveys the power of storytelling in teaching, training and mentoring.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction

228 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2010

Reviews

[Kiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable collection of stories from top leaders about their key moments of learning. Some are a little vacuous or obvious, but some provide useful insights that can inspire us all. Perhaps the most powerful overall message is that even the most successful people (all of the contributors are well known and have impressively long credentials in terms of innovation, books, seminars, and top positions) had to get where they are by a process. Some of them share moments from childhood or young adulthood that had great impact; others share ideas that matured over the course of a career. I particularly liked that there's a section devoted to mentoring (as a recipient and as a giver).

Some items I found personally useful were:
* Aim to add value to everything you do.
* When things go wrong, don't get defensive and don't rationalize. Just listen.
* Consider when it is time to switch from pitching ideas to catching ideas.
* What do you really need to carry with you?
* When mentoring, show confidence in your mentee's potential.

These are necessarily distilled down into brief statements. You'll get much more out of reading the full stories in this book.

[Sandeep Gautam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of lessons learnt stories by some of the best coaches/consultants/ professionals/ leaders of our times. Big names abound- Stephen Covey, Dave Ulrich, Warren Bennis etc., but more than that big ideas and lessons abound. Most of the featured leaders share personal stories and valuable lessons that they derived from their personal experiences.

The stories are collected in themes and make for engrossing reading. Some authors and stories will connect more with you than others (at least that is what happened with me), but you will be richer for having read through and reflected on these reminiscences.

Given its format, its a good read to be savored slowly, maybe reading through one story at a time.

[Vinoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn Like a leader is a wonderful book for people of all sections. This book shares the valuable learning experiences encountered by succesful people during their course of life. This book has definitely opened up the windows of my heart and taught me some of the following invaluable experiences which I have started implementing .

The power of perception ( How one toll booth workers perception of life made his work environment happy)

The power of caring for people in the organization

The art of teaching

The art of success multiplication

How do we make organizational goals a reality ?

This book is a wonderful eye opener . Studies say learning from the experience of others is a short cut way to mould your success and this book definitely does that . A must have in book shelves of everybody.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book with short stories by different leaders in various porfessions. I find this book to be a journey of learning ways to write your own story, be authentic, and tap into your native abilities. It also has questions at the end of every story.

[Daniel Oon Yong Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a read which top executive coaches share their personal stories on what impacted and changed their life for the better this is the book. A must-read for executives.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the simple life lessons to journal about and takes notes while reading.

[Rusty Fulling · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 2013 - Enjoyed reading short stories of impact from various business leaders. Each person shared different perspectives on people, processes and events that shaped their style.

[Elizabeth Duncan]

Many good staff on the art of learning.

[Elizabeth Keri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of the 35 leaders featured, 3 maybe 4, are women. I read the ones by women and returned.