Launching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influence

Brady and Woodward offer a detailed examination of what defines a leader, the qualities necessary to fulfilling the role and the common path previous leaders have traveled toward achieving personal greatness. Initially self-published, this effort follows up the duo's earlier bestselling effort, Leading the Consumer Rebellion . Contending that “each of us has a natural wellspring of talent and ability buried within” and will eventually be thrust into a moment requiring leadership skills, they lay the groundwork for being prepared to perform when that opportunity arises. The leadership concepts are strengthened by anecdotes like one involving the New England Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady, who led his team to three Super Bowl wins despite a resounding lack of confidence in his ability to do so. But quotes on leadership from sources as diverse as Mark Twain and golfer Tiger Woods, often three and four to a paragraph, can get distracting. The authors also occasionally get carried away with charting their concepts and awkward metaphors (e.g., driving against the “traffic of mediocrity”; avoiding the “shoulder of frustration”). But overall, this manual is one from which any potential leader—whether of a country, corporation or a small staff—could draw insight. (Oct. 22)