Leadership: Achieving Life-Changing Success from Within

by Alford L. McMichael

Book Overview

"Take one look at him, listen to him speak, watch him act, and you'll follow him. Why? Because throughout his life and military career, Sergeant Major Al McMichael has proven himself to be a visionary who develops and nurtures ideas to fruition.... Anyone who is charged with leading, teaching, mentoring, managing or caring for people should read the inspiring story of Al McMichael in Leadership ." -- Dean Mark Pizzo, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. There is only one sergeant major of the Marine Corps at any one time. It is the highest rank an enlisted Marine can achieve. From 1999 to 2003 the USMC's 14th sergeant major, and the first African American to attain the position, was Alford L. McMichael. Now, Sergeant Major McMichael shares how the values taught to him around the dinner table and in the hard times of his dirt-poor Southern childhood took him to the top of his field and made him one of the most respected and valued leaders of our time. This is not a guide that speaks only to military personnel. This is not a guide that only CEOs will cherish. The magic of McMichael's life lessons is that anyone can relate to and build success from them, because McMichael himself learned them in the most modest of beginnings: growing up in the 1950s with nine siblings in a single-parent, one-story home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was the best training he could have received for the Marines, and with down-to-earth practicality and an engaging anecdotal style, McMichael demonstrates how the morals, work ethic and self-discipline he learned from his mother and grandmother gave him the life skills for groundbreaking success. Practice dinner table values...Find your compass...Rely on intelligence over emotion...Prepare so you can prosper...Impress yourself first...Give power to your people...Lead from the heart...These are among the pragmatic and distinctive nuggets of truth McMichael imparts in Leadership , and whatever your walk in life, they are the foundation for making great things happen. Are you ready to experience the phenomenal results when you ask the best of yourself and those around you?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416562281
• ISBN13: 9781416562283
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Threshold Editions
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book on Leadership and Success

The Sergeant Major was my Instructor-Advisor for two months at Marine Security Guard school almost 28 years ago and he has left a lasting impression on my life. This is especially a great read for young men and women today, and not just those considering a stint in the armed forces.

A Human Look at Leadership

I had the honor to serve with SgtMaj McMichael while he was at the University of Minnesota with the NROTC program, and his example has served me well in all I have done for the rest of my life. Although I did not continue on to be commissioned in the Marine Corps, I have used the SgtMajor as an example of fine leadership for myself, my employees, and my kids in my personal and professional life. This book explains in very simple terms how a person's attitude and personal focus and organization can have a positive effect on his/her life. Al McMichael is one of the most focused and positive leaders I have ever met, and as he points out repeatedly in the book, this focus - taking care of duty first - actually gave him more freedom from stress and worry than if he had been concerned with his own pleasure first. All in all, a very human approach to leading people and above all to leading oneself. I think SgtMaj McMichael would probably agree that the best leaders of people must first become masters of self. He is an excellent example. I treasure this great insight into a figure who was so important in my life.

Leadership: Achieving Life-Changing Success from Within

This is the most profound book on Leadership I have ever read. Having had a Career in the Marine Corps, I met SgtMaj McMichael. This was a book with compasion, focus and deliberate purpose, and I recomend it to every professional.

Not quite what I hoped but a good read never the less

The cover gives the impression that this is a book on Leadership with priniciples and techniques broken down so an individual can apply them to their daily tasks. Not so; this is book of stories and experience the SGTMAJ had during his life from childhood to NATO. Each chapter is a lesson on leadership. The lessons are buried in the stories from his life that must be read in full to appreciate. At times, the book read like a memoir of his life instead of addessing the subject of leadership. Still, it was an enjoyable read with only 180 pages. I give it 4 stars because the book started very slowly up to page 71; from there it takes off. It covers too much of the SGTMAJ personal life complete with family photos in the centerfold that has very little to do with leadership. Most importantly to me was the issue of racial discrimination in the military the SGTMAJ experienced wasn't fully address. When his Master SGT confronted him for making small talk with a waitress, he didn't say how he resolved the situation. Did he just ignored it? That technique could take years to get through if ever. Why did he not associate with the black marines? Yes, he gave an answer of the wrong crowd etc. Yet, he made no effort to try to talk to them. They might even know something he might find important. What was said to the Marine that was racist (perhaps for his whole life) in the 8 hours he was in his office? I as a former Marine who has experience racial problems in the Corps a few times. I still recommend the book as a casual read. Semper Fi!! SGT 1991-1999 USMC

Absolutely wonderful !

This is very easy book to read. It is so inspirational and informative. I found myself taking notes and writing down quotes to use myself at a later time. His philosophy on leadership makes so much sense. If there were more leaders like him who used the principles he uses in leading others, I can only imagine how the world would be. He shows you can lead and get results while still caring and letting those you lead truly know that. I wish I could send a copy to many, many folk I know who could learn from him. My hat off to Alford McMichael.