Humanise: Why Human-Centred Leadership is the Key to the 21st Century

by Anthony Howard

Legendary leaders change the world by putting leadership at the service of humanity Humanise is a comprehensive look at human-centred leadership, providing insight and guidance for those who want to change the world. A deep examination of the concept of moral leadership, this book examines what it is, how it's acquired, and how it can be applied in business, government, and society. Readers will gain insight into predominant leadership styles exemplified in governments and organizations around the world, and discover the missing pieces that come together to more effectively guide people through challenges and transitions. With a focus on building a solid foundation, a strong moral compass, and deep empathy for others, this book shows you how to be a leader wherever you are, build your leadership capability, and make a positive impact on the world. We are facing a crisis of leadership. Where are the new Mandelas? What type of person is that? What are their qualities and attributes? Who will lead us into the future? Humanise is a book for people who want to be the very best version of themselves, the best leader they can be, and impact the world for good. Following in the footsteps of Mandela and Ghandi, this book explains why great leadership is human-centred, and how you can become such a leader, no matter who you are or what position you are in. For those interested in picking up the torch and guiding the way, Humanise provides a roadmap to the version of you you've always wanted to be, and that the world needs you to be.

Genres: Leadership, Business

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2015

About the author

Anthony Michell Howard, CBE, was a British journalist, broadcaster and writer. He was the editor of the New Statesman, The Listener and the deputy editor of The Observer. He selected the passages used in The Crossman Diaries, a book of entries taken from Richard Crossman's The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister.

Reviews

[Alain Burrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Humanize: Why Human-Centred Leadership Is The Key To The 21st Century” by Anthony Howard is an interesting look at leadership and how people can lead and impact the world for good. The book focuses on people when leading, rather than just results.

Reading the book, one will better understand the different moral challenges facing leaders today, and be able to create a framework to lead that fosters virtues and person-to-person relationships. This is how the author states leaders can better change the world. He holds up leaders such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela as leaders that followed a Human-Centred model and changed the world.

The book has a good mix of theory and practicality, and the thoughtful leader will learn about him or herself, and be able to incorporate principles and philosophies to become a more human-centred leader.

The world is changing at an incredible pace, and technology advances almost every day. But it will still be relationships with people that solve the world's problems, and leaders, now more than ever, need to look to people and the relationships they have with others to better shape the word for our future. The book provides some good thoughts on how to do just that.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with an exercise. How many living leaders can you name that are of the same calibre as Nelson Mandela? Why are there so few great leaders today?

In Humanise, Anthony Howard says we must return to the elements of leadership.

Today’s leaders face three significant challenges. First, the impact of technology on how we socialise. Second, moral drift, a result of living in a postmodern culture. Third, “the convergence and crossover of ‘man’ and machine.”

Next, he names the timeless foundations of great leadership. Building solid character and making wise decisions.

Finally, he looks at leadership in action. In this section, he introduces some of the practices of human-centred leadership.

For Howard, the reason we have so few great leaders is we've moved away from the bedrock of our culture. We've stopped valuing our Judeo-Christian roots.

That foundation teaches us that character matters as much as competence. Character comes from having a changeless core of virtues you hold dear. Aristotle says those attributes define the behaviours that help you be excellent at being human.

This levels the playing field. Anyone can develop character and moral authority.

This leads to Howard’s optimism: we can find new Nelson Mandelas to rise to the challenges of today. You are the person who can become the next human-centred leader.

[Alain O'Dea · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of good insights and examples in thos book, but the tone occasionally drifts a bit too far into preaching at certain points. I love the optimism and I get the urgency of Howard’s message. I share his sense of urgency that the world desperately needs leaders of character and needs them right now in as many places as possible. It’s worth reading as a hopeful look at what we can change if we all have the courage to do better by being better to others.

[Merima Smajic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the excellent message.

[Omar Binmana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book rich with information on leadership

If you are in any leadership position at your workplace, or in your personal life , this book is recommended for you.

[Mila · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid book, tries to be philosophical but ends up being boring and flat.