True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership Analysis - Book Report/Review Example

Book Summary First published in 2003, the book under-study, carrying the “True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership”, wide opens wonderful horizons of intellect and wisdom to the readers and learners alike. It gives the learners a new hope of encouragement by pointing out to the hidden qualities they maintain in their personality, though they are quite unaware of these characteristics. The writers i.e. George & Sims very brilliantly motivate the readers discover their personality traits without getting nervous of the subordinate position they have at present. Divided into three parts and eleven chapters, the book is not mere an expression of speculation or supposition; on the contrary, it is based on the in-depth analyses the authors found out after conducting a comprehensive research on the most dynamic leaders of the world. The researchers personally entered into conversation with these self-motivated and energetic personalities, and discussed various aspects of the nature and style of performing their duties and activities. The authors concentrate upon leadership success program and encourage the readers develop their own leadership development plan on the basis of the points highlighted by them. George & Sims (2003) describe their explored five points, on the basis of which, personal leadership development plan could be created in a successful manner. These five points include exploring of one’s authentic self, determining of one’s core values as well as leadership principles, comprehension of one’s impetus and motivation, preparation of an active and trustworthy team for the achievement of determined goals and incorporating of all strengths of one’s life on the concrete foundations of will power and unabated fortitude. In simple words, exploration of one’s self is the first and the most formidable step in the way to success on the one hand and climbing the steps of leadership plan on the other. Knowledge of self is extremely supportive in respect of deciding one’s way and in establishing and achieving the objectives of life as well. The genuine success stories of the tycoons including Donna Dubinsky, John Brennan, Carol Tome, Ann Moore and others infuse new spirit of knowing oneself in readers and they look ready for utilizing their gifted abilities in one way or the other. Consists of three chapters, the first part of the book declares leadership as a long journey towards success, where lack of passion and unawareness with one’s purpose serve as the hurdles on the way to success. If one does not know which of the tracks he has to select, it is impossible to win success as the team leader within any corporate, political, social and cultural contexts. Consequently, determining of one’s goals and working hard diligently to achieve these goals is also an essential part of leadership plan. (George & Sims, 2003) If one has no exposure regarding what he has to do in life, it will become very hard for him to obtain triumph in life. It requires discovery of the core personal, social and cultural values so that one could move forward in the light of these environmental factors and their effects in human life. Chapter one of the book, under-study, describes the comments and views of the most successful leaders and the reasons behind their triumphs in relevant fields. The chapter lays stress upon being genuine and authentic, where though one can be impressed by the achievements of others, yet imitating others’ style and mode of exercising his talent, on the basis of his successes, is not the expression of authenticity of the leadership. Hence, the authors vehemently lay stress upon being authentic, where there could be no vacuum for artificial display of imitating others. Chapter two highlights the causes of leadership failures particularly at corporate field. The authors view that it is admirable that one learns something new and nice from his ideal personality, but if people try to imitate their ideal personality blindly, there will appear leadership vacuum, as the society will not be able to produce true and authentic leadership out of the imitators. One requires to pretend what he is, and not the person in which one seeks his ideal personality. (George & Sims, 2003) Similarly, chapter 3 indicates the refined perception of leadership, where a true leader considers his team as the part of his own self, and develops the “we-feelings” instead of “I”. Such feelings and passion reveal the very reality that an authentic leadership demands such a great thinking in which the leader takes every worker and staff member as an integral part of his own self. An authentic leader gives due attention to his values, and carefully observes balance in his motivations, so that these motivations cannot turn him too much impatient and anxious of achieving goals in shortest period of time, which may lead to an utter fiasco. It is therefore, patience and endurance is always observed by the leaders, even sometimes it becomes hard to observe patience. It has often been observed that the most successful leaders use to work in isolation; it is therefore, their intellect and thoughtfulness in comparatively more advanced; but it doe not mean that they cut off themselves from the outer world. Not only this that they are far more advanced in vision and perception, but also they are well informed and well acquainted stratum of society, which keeps a constant eye on each and every development being made within their atmosphere. Part two of the work True North also concentrates upon the same personality and leadership traits. Also, Part 2 of the book focuses on the five key points, described-above, which are highly supportive in winning success for the leaders. All the five chapters are based on one key point elaborated by the authors. They vehemently lay stress upon knowing oneself and discovering one’s abilities of head and heart, which will serve as the foundation stone on their way to success. Hence, self-awareness is the most admirable characteristics of self-motivated leaders. Chapter 5 of the book highlights the utility of the personal values and principles, and advises the readers to tick to these values in order to show some great performance in an extraordinary way. The authors refute the idea of seeking too much influence from the personal, social, cultural and corporate values of an individual, any group of individuals, or any foreign culture and values it contains. The authors support the idea of sticking to one’s own values, which will help the individual discover his own way and place in the universe. The most significant demand for leadership authenticity in 21st century is the unflinching passion of displaying exceptional performance while fulfilling their obligations. It is therefore, George & Sims encourage finding out the source of motivation at individual and corporate level. It sometimes happen that the strength and triumph of a competitor motivates an individual work in such a way that he accelerates his energies and work in order to compete the opponent forces in a more refined and powerful manner. Moreover, sometimes, a staff member or his idea becomes a source of motivation for the future leader. Further, a failure or chain of failures also appear as the source of motivation for the leaders, which urges him take bold steps and increase work hours and devotion as well, to obtain the better results in future years to come. Hence, discovering the source of motivation can revolutionize one’s achievements and leads him closer to the destination he has determined for him. George and Sims (2003) view bbuilding of one’s support team as an essential part of getting success in life. It is the teamwork of the most competent and trustworthy friends that Microsoft Corporation has turned out to be the business giant of modern era, where it does not experience any fears from the competitors as its competitors are lagging far behind from the corporation in technology, vision and achievements. A group of like-minded, honest, skillful and ardent people can touch the skies of accomplishment by dint of the brainstorming and joint efforts made subsequent to the brainstorming of the intellectual and technical personnel in an honest and most trustworthy mode. History is replete with the examples of most successful persons, which searched out proper work force for their mission and hired their services to make their dreams as reality. The example is most fit for military generals, politicians, statesmen, business tycoons, scientists, lawyers and others. The authors force the readers integrate different aspects of their life in such a way that their thinking and working can become one and the same part of one’s activities. In other words, one should choose the profession of his own choice where one can make rapid progress in life. Part 3 of the book under study declare passion and ambition as the most precious parts of one’s life and achievements. The writers are of the opinion that there must be some purpose established before the leader, so that the team could be led on the foundation of the purpose. An elevated purpose reveals the true leadership qualities of leader. A true leader does not centralize all powers in his person; rather, he decentralizes these powers and authorities by delegating the powers to his team, subordinates and staff members. It not only boosts up the confidence of subordinates, but also their skills and abilities are highlighted to a great extent. In addition, the leader’s capabilities are also polished by empowering the staff members. In the end, the authors lay stress upon exercising of the leadership powers on the team and staff. It simply means that the leader should disclose his dexterity and command over the strategic plans and other fields, which will not only enhance their trust in his person, but also his leadership will be honoured and adored by the team members. Conclusion: To conclude, it becomes evident that George & Sims have disclosed new avenues of thoughtfulness to the readers and learners alike. Based on their profound observation, thorough research conducting and in-depth analysis, the authors seem to be urging the individuals regarding taking initiative and exercising their abilities in quite a unique way, which was not familiar in past. The most alluring and amazing aspect of their insightful is their insistence of the exploration of one’s self and shape one’s best quality into practicability with great passion, enthusiasm and consistency. The book infuses wonderful zeal and fervour in readers by boosting up their morale and instigate them discover their way to unflinching success on the basis of their hidden leadership qualities. Reference: George, Bill & Sims, Peter. True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership 2003 Read More