Leadership is Hell: How to Manage Well - And Escape with your Soul

by Rob Asghar

Being a leader is today considered synonymous with being a winner. This book punctures that misguided myth—and it will liberate you from others’ expectations and from your own illusions about success. This book is a practical manual for leading the right way and for the right reasons. It explores how to identify and overcome the blind spots that may be hurting your career; whether you have the right mindset for the kind of success that you’re seeking; how to develop just the right amount of “healthy ego” to make an impact; and how to make an impact on the world in a way that’s true to who you are (be forewarned, this might involve a completely different path than your current one). This book will take you on a journey, showing you famous figures from history and the present—some who got it right, and some who didn’t. You’ll look at seven roads to hell within the world of leadership, and seven roads out of hell, to guide you safely to a meaningful legacy. All royalties support the University of Southern California’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative to prepare local urban schoolchildren for college.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Amazon, Ebooks

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2014

Reviews

[Lori Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the sea of management and leadership books, this one is a keeper for yourself or to share with someone who may be struggling with how to lead with integrity. Mr. Asghar writes in a way that is both intelligent and insightful as well as accessible. This is not a theory-based book; examples and stories are given from a breadth of cultural and philosophical perspectives in addition to what you experience in your average workplace conference room. Ditch the Harvard Business Review case studies and, instead, enjoy this roadmap that leads you out of leadership hell.

[Robert Federline · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a multitude of books telling people how to evaluate personalities. This book is different. Rather than dividing personalities into four types (e.g., sanguine/choleric/melancholic/phlegmatic) it breaks leaders into two types only: Radar and Compass.

In many ways this was the most useful book of its kind I have ever read. Understanding the difference between these two types of personalities had more application than the majority of books on the subject could ever provide. Compass people are those who never lose their direction. They keep their goal in constant view and move toward it despite all obstacles and no matter what is going on with others.

Radar people are aware of others and their feelings are a concerned with how others are doing, and may veer from their own path in order to care for the needs and emotions of others.

Within each of these two types there are, of course, many approaches to how problems may be solved. Either type may be successful, but first the basic driving force which gives one direction must be understood and accounted for. A Compass personality can be a dictator or a beacon to show others the way. A Radar can be a milksop or doormat, or a can be a comfort to others and a shoulder to lean on.

This book is more about how to understand yourself and develop your own personality rather than how to use others by capitalizing on their shortcomings or manipulating them. This book shows how all ships may rise in a rising tide. It is far and away one of the best books I have ever read on management and personality styles.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a fantastic book on leadership. I picked it up because I know the author and his decades long experience in management and leadership. I think this book is a must have manual for anyone that not only has to lead, but works for a leader. It's a must have on any business bookshelf.

[Vicky Connelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has so much useful information on leading people for win/win situations. It is worth reading and rereading.

[Diana-Michaela Shaffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book has a corny title, it is jam packed with opportunities and incentives to exercise some introspection. Aspiring as well as current leaders will be well advised to (re)examine their own leadership style and associated motives. 'Leadership is Hell' is written in a direct and somewhat flip-style some may find offensive at times. For example, at some point Mr. Asghar speaks about a leader with such poor skills that s/he could not lead his/her way out of a paper bag if s/he tried. Subsequently this type of leader is simply referred to as a 'paperbag-leader'. However, the writing style is inconsequential. This book is worth reading simply due to the fact that it challenges the reader to look inside, examine, evaluate, (re)direct, and THINK!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read with interesting insights and encouragements to know yourself better man, or woman too.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for personal as well as professional growth

[Tuesday May Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main title and subtitle of this book grabbed my attention and made me laugh out loud! I kept it by my bed for months and read a few pages at a time over several months. The author Rob Asghar transmits a dry humor ala 'Seinfeld' that marked a Mona Lisa smile on my face that carried me through the entire book.

This book dives right into the truth of the world and the paradigms that leverage who makes it to the top as a leader, why one cares about being a leader, and if one makes it to the 'top' how can they be the best version of themselves both en route to leadership and once arrived. The reader is a fly on the wall in various amusing 'leadership scenarios', plus so much more.

A special surprise I really appreciated was the commingling of insight offered from the Tao Te Ching and Mark Twain too. The sprinkling in of diverse perspectives truly gives this book a well rounded tase, like a fine wine.

On a final note, my little sister just made 'Managing CEO' of an up and coming Start-Up company in Seattle. First thing I did was buy her this book.

[Jessica del Mundo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Insightful. Entertaining read. Top resource for practicing effective leadership. Would love to see more from this author.

[VM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book especially if you work with volunteers. It has helped me identify different leadership styles in various volunteers and myself and learn how to use their strengths to build a better organization. It also gives you the weaknesses to help you work around them instead of beating your head against the wall. Sometimes the negative aspect of the leadership trait is the strongest and this allows you to see how to manage it as well as keeping the board, group or organization healthy and moving forward. It also gives real examples of leaders to help explain the various leadership traits.

[Leann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Judgmental and attacking, this book will be in your face about he problems in anyone's leadership. He is especially offensive towards the church. Did not enjoy his writing style, and though he had a few good points, it's nothing you can find in another book.

[Janetta Bitting · Rating 5 out of 5]

A interesting view of leadership

The author makes a great point that most leaders fail to see when to leave. The compass and radar analogies are right on track.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written.

[Kurt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Title was catchy..