Leadership Is an Art

I read Leadership Is an Art by Max DePree for the first time almost 30 years ago. I highlighted it, wrote in the margins, and learned some of its lessons. I thought it was a great book then.When I opened the book this past summer, I was amazed by two things. I was amazed that I had not opened this book in more than two decades. And, I was amazed at how many things in this book had become part of the tapestry that is the way I think about leadership.Max DePree speaks to me in an especially strong voice because we start from a similar place. We are both Christians, and that affects how we try to live our lives. We both believe that leadership is a servant role and that what leaders are challenged to do is unleash the potential of others.Now, if any of that bothers you, you won’t enjoy this book. If you think any mention of faith is inappropriate in a business book or that servant leadership is mushy nonsense or that leaders are there to show people the way, not to unleash their energies, you won’t like this book. Don’t buy it. Don’t read it. If you do choose to buy it, here’s what you’ll find.There is a retired executive that I see frequently. We share good meals and good wine and other drinks. Occasionally, we have a cigar together. Some of the time we talk about what it’s like to be the person responsible for a group.My friend was an executive vice president in a Fortune 200 company. He created their international business in the 50s and 60s. He knows a lot about people and leadership and doing the right thing. Over meals and cigars and drinks and sometimes just sitting on the deck, we talk about those things.Reading Leadership is an Art is a lot like having a conversation with my friend. He’s principled and clear-thinking. He will challenge you from time to time.I suggest that if you buy this book you do a couple of things to get the most out of it. The first one is read the preface that DePree wrote for the latest edition of the book. The original book was published in 1987, DePree’s preface is from 2003.Then just start reading, but keep a pencil or highlighter or digital voice recorder handy. The first thing you’ll find in the book is a short true story called “The Millwright Died.” It sets the tone for the rest of the book. Make sure you read it. Mark the page so you can get back to it.Then read. Make notes. Take time to reflect. This is not a book about techniques or tricks or processes. It is about how a thoughtful and caring leader approaches his or her work. So, keep the book with you. Dip into it from time to time. Take time to reflect on what you learned and your insights.One more thing. When you finish Leadership is an Art, go back to it frequently. Don’t make this mistake I did and put it back on the shelf for a decade or more.

I stumbled upon this book one night in the office library while working late. It's a quick read but full of great leadership tips and anecdotes that really resonated with me. Anyone aspiring to lead - and those that are or have been leaders - can get something from this book. I enjoyed it so much I purchased this copy for my son.

Have you ever visited your in-laws upstate and spent a long afternoon sitting in the yard with someone’s grandpa, as he tells you about his life making airplanes during the war, growing old, investing and raising kids, while the two of you sip Molson’s? This is that book. Some nuggets if you feel like panning. Some wisdom. A lot of reminiscing, which has a value of its own.If you’re looking for bullet points to improve processes, I can recommend better. If you’re looking for generalized experience and a peek into a world far away, it carries its water.

On page one of Leadership Is an Art Max Depree writes, "The book is about the art of leadership: liberating people to do what is required of them in the most effective and humane way possible". This is a theme that runs throughout this very wise and in every way excellent work. The following quotes provide some of the flavor of Depree's enlightened and inspiring thinking:* The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor.* In addition to all of the ratios and goals and parameters and bottom lines, it is fundamental that leaders endorse a concept of persons. This begins with an understanding of the diversity of people's gifts and talents and skills.* Understanding and accepting diversity enables us to see that each of us is needed. It also enables us to begin to think about being abandoned to the strengths of others, of admitting that we cannot know or do everything.* Leaders don't inflict pain; they bear pain.* First, as a Christian I believe that each person is made in the image of God. For those of us who have received the gift of leadership from the people we lead, this belief has enormous implications.* Leaders owe people space, space in the sense of freedom. Freedom in the sense of enabling our gifts to be exercised.* Participative management is not democratic. Having a say differs from having a vote.* Interestingly, though in organizations like ours we need a lot of freedom, there is no room for license. Discipline is what it takes to do the job.* One of the important things leaders need to learn is to recognize the signals of impending deterioration.* Without forgiveness, there can be no real freedom to act...Depree has given us an abiding philosophy of leadership. Actually operating in alignment with these principles demands a very high level of integrity - one that few leaders ever do attain. Those that do so unleash forces of transformation resulting in high performance high involvement organizations.This book characterizes a commercial arena filled with vocational potential. I give it the highest recommendation.

I started out reading this book as an assignment for one of my doctorate class. Once I read the book I truly enjoyed it! The author pulls you in with his stories. I would definitely recommend this book. With his Christian background as a guide from his upbringing, he truly understands what a great leader is and should be...one whom makes others feel like family and everyone is treated equally no matter who you are. Awesome book and easy to read!

Very boring. I had to read this for a promotion test. Would never have picked this book up outside of taking this test.

Though written in 2004, I was stunned at how much of the content was still relevant. His emphasis on diversity, collaboration, generosity and communication are more important than ever. A quick but important read.

Excellent book about leadership in more clear language. Usually, one get the definitions and diffrences of leadership and manage,ment... this book gets into art and craft of leadership.

De fácil lectura y comprensión

Ok

Excellent book.

Ce livre était à lire dans le cadre de mes cours de Leadership et il a été une agréable surprise. Il raconte une très jolie histoire d'une entreprise au succès incroyable. Il n'impose pas une vision mais prodigue beaucoup de conseils simples et avisés. Je pense qu'il donne bien plus d'espoir et de confiance que la plupart des manuels pour devenir un leader qui s'étalent trop sur l'analyse et la décortication de ce qu'est un leader.Livre reçu très rapidement et en bon état.