The 360-Degree Leader

Title: The 360-Degree Leader
Author: John C. Maxwell
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Copyright: 2005

Reviewed by: Daniel Zampelli

What were the overall strengths of this book?
John Maxwell writes of being a leader in your organization regardless of your position in the agency.  He begins his book by addressing the myths associated with leading from the middle of the organization.  He then assesses the challenges and ways to lead-up, across and down the organization.  He concludes by listing five values of a 360-Degree leader.

This book re-enforces the fact that leaders are not just at the top positions of an organization.  Rather, “The true measure of leadership is influence- nothing more, nothing less”

What were the drawbacks, if any, of this book?
I did not see any drawback to this book.  It was easy to read and John Maxwell did an excellent job drawing from personal experiences and stories to help exemplify each point.

How does this book tie into the workplace and/or our community? How might you apply the insights in this book to your own leadership?
On a professional level, this book describes how a person at any position of the organization can be a leader by exercising influence to those around him/her.

From a personal perspective, this book makes clear that leadership comes from within.  “A position doesn’t make the leader, but a leader can make the position.”

To whom would you recommend this book and why?
I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the middle of their organization, especially to those who may be frustrated or believe they do not have value or make a difference in their organization.  In addition, I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to strengthen their personal leadership skills.

What is the “bottom line” of this book?
The bottom line of this book is that leaders are not defined by the position they hold in the organization but, rather, the influence they have with those above them, below them and across from them: the “360-Degree Leader.”

Is there anything else you would like to add that stands out about this book?
John Maxwell has written numerous books about personal and professional leadership.  His focus is from a spiritual point of view and utilizes these beliefs to guide him throughout the book. It is my belief that, regardless of the readers’ spiritual perspective, they will benefit from the structure and content of these writings.

Managing

Title:  Managing
Author:  Henry Mintzberg
Publisher:  Berret-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Copyright:  2009

Reviewed By:  Sue Pierson

What were the overall strengths of this book?
As I was reading this book I kept thinking “he’s been watching over my shoulder at work.”  In a concise, often humorous, format Mintzberg puts into words all the thoughts, doubts, and struggles that managers face every day.  This book is a great reality check for those who manage because he emphasized the fact that even if you have mastered all the competencies of managing you still might not be a competent manager.  To be successful you must maintain a dynamic balance of communication, analysis, interpersonal skills, change, influence, reflection, nuance, decisiveness, and judgment.  Most importantly you need to know when to use each, a skill you learn on the job, not in a classroom.

What were the drawbacks, if any, of this book?
I didn’t find any real drawbacks.  His style is straightforward and in his “Note to the Reader” he sets the tone of the book and explains things to watch for in each of the chapters, even highlighting sentences he feels are important.  The Appendix describes a day in the life of eight of the managers discussed in the book.  In hindsight I might read this section first to get a feel for the manager’s personalities and their daily activities before I read the theories of how they managed.

How does this book tie into the workplace and/or our community?  How might you apply the insights in this book to your own leadership?
“Nothing is quite so powerful, or so natural, as engaged managers who are committed to developing themselves, their institutions, and their communities.” Henry Mintzberg

This book gives you an opportunity to step back and evaluate your own management style.  It reinforces that many of the tasks and conversations and activities of every day are exactly what you need to be doing. He also clearly pointed out areas that I could target for improvement in my own management style- in particular those things I don’t like to do!

To whom would you recommend this book and why?
I would recommend this book to two different groups.  The first group would be those managers who have been away from school for awhile and have been managing for years.  Mintzberg causes you to look at your daily work in a methodical way and helps you verbalize the myriad tasks, skills and talents you must possess to manage well.  You finish the book energized because you are doing so many things right and can concentrate your efforts on the areas you hope to improve.

I would also recommend this book to those just starting out on the management path.  It speaks volumes to the intangibles of managing far beyond any formal coursework or classes completed.

What is the “bottom line” of this book?
Mintzberg has a great deal of respect and empathy for those who manage.  Fifty years ago Peter Drucker put management on a pedestal, but in recent years leadership has knocked it off. Mintzberg insists that managers are leaders and leadership is management practiced well.

Is there anything else you would like to add that stands out about this book?
This is a book that will help you grow in your profession and community activities. It is filled with “A-ha” moments.  I took pages of notes to review again at a later time to remind me of important concepts and things I want to improve.