The Will to Lead: Running a Business with a Network of Leaders

by Marvin Bower

The aim of this book is to teach managers how to lead people to work together effectively, efficiently, and enthusiastically.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875847587
• ISBN13: 9780875847580
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Leading Rather then Commanding

In my last job I worked for the owner, a manager of the style who believed that if your were always concerned about getting fired today that you would work harder. His style yielded a lot of turnover, much grumbling and a family business where senior positions were held by family members who were loyal regardless of their competence. This book is based on observations of businessmen who have gone beyond the 'my way or the highway' approach. These new managers are not so concerned with their own status that they refuse to listen to their employees. They look for change, especially as they see the world changing around them and forcing ther companies to change to stay competitive. Here are companies and managers that estalish a firm position towards hiring and keeping talented people.

Bower's vision for harmonious and profitable business structure

Bower's resume includes acting as leader of the esteemed consulting firm Mckinsey & Co. for 17 years. He shares an business model ideal based on a leadership structure rather than a pure authority sturcture. Appoaching this ideal, a business would flourish from the increased exercise of initiative, expression of opinions and even disagreement. He challenges, "People don't need better bosses, they need better leaders," and "What if people truly liked their work?" This book gives many imaginative examples of how this vision could be accomplished. There is no current real business example that we can look to. He has set the bar high... sort of an ideal, like a virtue, where the striving never ends. He does point out hints of this effort in some of today's businesses though. From his life experience and research, he delineates fourteen qualities an ideal leader would have. They include trustworthiness, fairness, unassuming behavior and the willingness to listen. This is a great book if you are not 100 percent happy with your company's health, and are looking for a possible positive ideological shift in becoming more leadership oriented and upgrading your mission statement. Five stars

Great book on a philosophy and experience of a leader

The Will to Lead greatest benefit is that it is a first person account of a proven business leader in a dynamic business. What is surprising about the book is that it is very non-consulting-ease even through the author is a former Managing Partner from McKinsey & Co. The first person account and stories contain mulitple nuggets of what it takes to be a real leader. You may have to wade through a few stories that seem a bit self serving of the author. However, these are only the recollections of a lifetime of leadership so they are certainly allowable. Other books on leadership (Kotter et al) provide a more scientific view, however Bower's been there and this is what its like approach gives the book credibility and value

A good tale and framework for measuring your leadership

Too many book talk about leadership with hyperbole and abstraction. They view leadership as a set of mechanical traits that one can possess, or they perform hero worship by telling stories about various leaders. This book does neither.Bower provides the right amount of stories as well as his views on what it takes to lead. The books conversational style and well thoughtout ideas make it well worth the time. This work causes introspection that is more valuable and more action oriented than the other tomes on leadership, self help, etc.

What an inspirational book!

If all managers and bosses could read this book the world would be a better place. Marvin Bower has a simple and engaging style of writing that sets him apart from other business writers. I highly recommend this book for those looking for insight regarding their management styles.