On Leadership - Softcover

Joseph Jaworski President, American Leadership Forum John Gardner in his extraordinary book demystifies a subject of awesome proportions and brings it into very short focus for all of us. Clear, concise, this book is comprehensive and accessible, and without doubt, will be seen as one of the seminal works on leadership. For anyone who is a real student of leadership, this book is an absolute must. Michael H. Walsh Chairman and CEO, Union Pacific Railroad Company There may be someone in the country who knows more about leadership than John Gardner -- but if so, I don't know who it is. "On Leadership" belongs on the desk of every business, government, and educational executive in the country. Howard T Prince, II Ph.D., Colonel, U.S. Army "On Leadership" is a particularly important book for America today. John Gardner has faced current realities with courage and clarity and shows that the tasks of renewing our social organizations and releasing the human possibilities that lie undiscovered or have been suppressed by modem institutions are the critical leadership challenges facing us today. Fred M. Hechinger President, The New York Times Company Foundation, Inc. At a time of Teflon politicians and professional image makers, John Gardner proposes a powerful antidote to the nation's leadership crisis. He demystifies leadership and links it inseparably to accountability. "On Leadership" offers an essential lesson in history and a demanding but optimistic guide to the future. Walter E Ulmer, Jr. President, Center for Creative Leadership John Gardner gives us more than a wonderful tour of leadership concepts and practices. "On Leadership" is a rich and lively commentary on our culture. This is a masterpiece that will appeal to the widest range of audiences. The book will stimulate further exploration into this crucial human activity. Essential for every bookshelf, "On Leadership" should be required reading now -- and be reread about once a year! Joseph Slater President Emeritus, The Aspen Institute "On Leadership" is a combination of wisdom, wit and perception. John Gardner, the supreme generalist, achieves a marvelous synthesis of his own leadership experience and observations over a lifetime. Howard P. Allen Chairman and CEO, Southern California Edison Company In "On Leadership, " John Gardner has shown uncommon insight in his analysis of this complex and difficult topic. His perceptive guidance to leaders and followers alike is a contribution to leadership development and a service to our nation.

Leaders today are familiar with the demand that they come forward with a new vision. But it is not a matter of fabricating a new vision out of whole cloth. A vision relevant for us today will build on values deeply embedded in human history and in our own tradition. It is not as though we come to the task unready. Men and women from the beginning of history have groped and struggled for various pieces of the answer. The materials out of which we build the vision will be the moral strivings of the species, today and in the distant past. Most of the ingredients of a vision for this country have been with us for a long time. As the poet wrote, "The light we sought is shining still." That we have failed and fumbled in some of our attempts to achieve our ideals is obvious. But the great ideas still beckon freedom, equality, justice, the release of human possibilities. The vision is to live up to the best in our past and to reach the goals we have yet to achieve with respect to our domestic problems and our responsibilities worldwide. From the Preface to "On Leadership"