Overview
- The Art of Leadership by Manning and Curtis is an
applied book that combines behavior theory with business
practice. Each unit teaches central concepts and skills
in an important area of leadership development.
- The book is made more valuable and the impact greater
by the self-evaluation questionnaires and practical
exercises that are used for personal development and
class involvement. The Art of Leadership is more than a
textbook. It is a "learning" book that actively involves
the reader in the learning process. The Art of Leadership
teaches concepts, principles and skills of leadership in
a way that is appropriate for both new and experienced
leaders, as well as for the everyday person who must
influence others to get things done. The book's goal is
for students to develop their full potential as a leader
and to become the kind of leader they always wanted to
have.
Features
- The Art of Leadership emphasizes the interactive,
seminar approach to learning. It encourages hands-on
development of one's personal leadership skills through
real-world examples and interactive learning activities
that bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- The book includes multiple leadership exercises, and
the authors encourage students to write in the book and
share the activities with friends and coworkers as part
of their personal development. The following is a list a
leadership activities in the book: Personalizing
Leadership; Six Trait Leadership Test; Two Dimension
Leadership Test; Ten Leadership Qualities, How do You
Rate?; Interpersonal Trust Scale; Indicator of Multiple
Intelligence; What is your Leadership Style?; Leadership
Assessment; Social Motives in the Work Setting;
Organizational Climate Questionnaire; Moral Dilemmas;
Workplace Values and Leadership Actions; Personal Values
What is Important to You?; Organizational Ethics; What
Type of Power Does Your Supervisor Use?; Leadership
Report Card; The Dyadic Encounter; Characteristics of an
Effective Group; Problem Solving Styles Darwin, Einstein
Socrates, and Henry Ford; Team Excellence;
Characteristics of the Self Actualized Person; Motivation
at Work; What is Your EI at Work?; Styles of
Interpersonal Conflict; Delegation Diagnosis; Functions
and Levels of Management-In-box Practice; Interpersonal
Style Questionnaire; Numbers Never Lie; Up in Smoke, Are
You Burned Out?; The Performance Management Lab; How Does
Your Supervisor Rate?; The Performance Pyramid;
Benchmarking the Best; Personal Analysis of
Leadership
- The writing style is personal and conversational,
with minimal professional jargon. True-life examples
clarify points under consideration. Concepts are
supported by facts and figures, as well as by stories and
anecdotes that are meaningful and easy to remember.
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Book Reviews
Overall, I found that the primary strength of the
text was its content, followed closely by its logical mix of
exercises, tables, and questions. The mixing of these
elements makes learning much more interactive and fun for
the students. The authors have given this book a solid
academic core and at the same time made it applicable to
everyday life. That is quite and achievement! I was amazed
at how well the book was presented an its thoroughness. It
is going to be a favorite with students and professors
alike.
Charles Drubel
Muskingum College
Leaders in organizations and professors of management
will want to use this text:
- It comprehensively summarizes the body of literature
on leadership and organizational behavior.
- It is ingeniously organized into nine keys, allowing
the reader to obtain an overview of leadership at a
glance.
- It is well organized and indexed for quick
referencing purposes.
- It has an abundance of useful charts, graphs, and
quotes.
- It is written in a straightforward and comfortable
manner.
- It demonstrates the profound insights of masters in
the field.
Laban D. Miller
University of Kentucky
I truly believe that The Art of Leadership will become
THE SOURCE for leadership development and practice among the
myriad of books that hit on various aspects of the topic. It
is an ideal textbook for college students, and it is equally
useful for the continuing education of practicing managers.
The Art of Leadership is the one text I have seen that
encompasses "it all" in one text. It is a fantastic learning
book and a superb desk book for leaders.
Jim Youngquist
University of Georgia
The Art of Leadership hits the mark in providing the
information any level of manager needs. I thought about an
experience I had with a course years ago. When the semester
was over and it was time to take old books back to the
bookstore for some end of the semester cash, there was a
book I knew I would use after I graduated and became a "real
person". Sure enough, I wore that book out, referring to it
constantly. This book will find the same acceptance. It will
be a book that becomes a reference and ongoing coaching
guide once the class is finished. I do not think many will
be returned for beer money.
Dan Keefe
Great American Insurance Companies
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