Virtuous Leadership: An Agenda for Personal Excellence

by Alexandre Havard

Drawing on the lives of some of the greatest political, intellectual and religious leaders of modern times, and the author's personal experience, Virtuous Leadership demonstrates that leadership and virtue are not only compatible, they are actually synonymous.

Virtuous Leadership defines each of the classical human virtues most essential to leadership - magnanimity, humility, prudence, courage, self-control and justice. It demonstrates how these virtues promote personal transformation and the attainment of self-fulfillment. It also considers the Christian supernatural virtues of faith, hope and charity without which no study of leadership can be complete. The book's final section, Towards Victory, offers a methodology for the achievement of interior growth tailored to the needs of busy, professional people intent on imbuing their lives with a transcendent purpose. Thus, the aim of Virtuous Leadership is ultimately practical. It is meant to be your guidebook in the quest for moral excellence.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Catholic, Self Help, Management, Spirituality

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Alexandre Dianine-Havard

Reviews

[Glenn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author sets forward a leadership model that is rooted in aretology – the science of virtue. He presents a systematic and holistic attempt to relate the classical virtues to professional leadership in modern times. Great theory, excellent application, and thought-provoking.

[Kathy Nealen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A philosophical and very Catholic look at qualities important for leadership. Instead of focusing on tactics for being successful, this author promotes cultivating virtues that will facilitate leadership. Please be advised this book is very Catholic - most of the examples are saints or other prominent Catholics. Not your typical business book - recommended not just for leadership but life in general.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is outstanding. It demonstrates how virtue can impact every kind of personal and professional situation. A passage from the Author's forward shows what kind of impact this is. He saw an old lady rummaging through rubbish, and he gave her the money he had left in his pocket. A few minutes later, just as he was boarding his train, the old woman came running up to him with a big smile on her face and bunch of flowers, which she gave to him. Seeing her great selflessness and generosity of heart, he was “overcome with joy, with a deep love for life, with a desire… to be better”. And he continues “It is by no means unusual that a close encounter with goodness makes the soul take flight, as though it had sprouted wings.”

Imagine how the world would be transformed if people lived this kind of virtue in positions of leadership. www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Frank Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best business books I've read in a long, long time. Leadership is based on virtue -- and as Havard makes abundantly clear -- virtue can be developed, grown and deepened in anyone. True leadership is about taking care of your people and not yourself. I highly recommend this slim but powerful and very rich book to anyone truly interested becoming a better leader in business and life while becoming a better person

[Emily Woodham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems fitting I finished this on the Feast Day of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher!

This is a fantastic book on the virtues. It branches out beyond Pieper’s works to St. Josemaria Escriva and other saints and leaders who exemplified courage.

At the end, he includes some points on personal growth, including how to approach spiritual direction.

This book is thought provoking and inspiring, but not heavy in philosophy. It is accessible to anyone who wishes to be a better person. He says all are called to leadership, all are called to virtue no matter our vocation. I think he’s right.

I hope to read more about St. Josemaria and others he referenced in this book.

[Arben Cukaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a mediocre leader and you read and understand this book, you will step down. If you are a good leader and read this book you will become a better person.

[Dave Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Almost every sentence is worth reflecting on and expanding upon.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you come across books you wish you had read when you were younger, this is one of those kinds of books. This book explains nicely the virtues, both Natural and Supernatural and how they relate to one another. Something, that I really appreciated in this book was showing the reconciliation between being Humble yet Magnanimous. More importantly, it shows how developing the virtues leads one to be the best person they can be, a more fully realized human being. This book does a great job clarifying what authentic leadership is compared to the caricatures of leadership that are sadly impressed upon business students today. I would highly recommend this book for those getting out of high school or college, to those in their professional life - especially if they find themselves as managers or want to climb the ladder - and also, those with families or seeking to have one. Again, I wish I had found and read this book when I was younger.

[Abel Tavares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling and insightful book that is both easy to read and inspiring. Havard argues that true leadership is not necessarily driven by temperament or specific attributes but by virtues developed through one's character and rooted in high transcendental values. Drawing on the cardinal virtues of ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, as well as the moral and ethical traditions of Catholicism, Havard presents a model of leadership based on virtues such as magnanimity, humility, prudence, and courage. He provides many living examples to illustrate how these virtues are practical qualities that can be developed and embodied by anyone aspiring to lead effectively. This book emphasizes that real inspiring leadership flows from the cultivation of virtues, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in personal development and effective leadership. This is definatelly a Catholic book but obviously usefull for anyone that might be interested in this topics.

[Timothy Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is thinly veiled as a "Professional Development" book. Much of the writing is standard fare for such publications. The real value in this book is the footnotes. The Author is well-read and selects authors of quality. Reading this book added another 7 books to my " want to read" list.

In the end, though, it becomes clear that this is primarily a book of spirituality disguised as a professional development book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compelling book took me awhile to read. That's not because its subject is difficult to grasp or because it is hard to get through. Rather, its one of those books you slowly work through, chewing over the messages and thinking how you can incorporate its ideas into your life.

This book makes the books claim that true leadership isn't just about character, it IS character. True leadership requires not pithy maxims, but the development of virtue. The book uses the cardinal virtues as the building blocks, with humility and magnanimity topping the necessary characteristics a leader must embody. Filled with anecdotes and examples, this is a must read for anyone.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on leadership, Havard writes at the crossroads of classical thought and modern application. He understands that one can become leader, and that leaders are called to a noble life of character. His stories are powerful and inspiring.

This is the first book I've discovered that brings Faith into leadership without being cheesy or corny. It's tremendously well done and I very much look forward to revisiting it with regularity.

[Tomas Modrovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odvaha-Velkodusnost-Pokora-Mudrost-Sebaovladanie-Spravodlivost. Cnosti, ktore A.Havard vidi ako to najdolezitejsie, co by mal v sebe kazdy skutocny leader najst a nachadzat.
Na knihu ma namotivoval rozhovor ekonomickeho tyzdennika Trend s A.Havardom spred par rokov. Vtedy velmi inspirativne citanie sa naplnalo aj uvodom knihy, resp. jej prvej casti, kedze slovenska verzia sa sklada z oboch prepojenych knih - Cnostne liderstvo a Stvoreni pre velkost. V druhej polovici knihy vsak autor az podozrivo casto zacal vnasat nabozenstvo vsade tam, kde predtym jeho definicia cnosti davala racionalny vyznam. A aspon mna osobne obohacovala. Nasledne som zacal pochybovat a pochybnosti sa stupnovali, cim blizsie prichadzal koniec knizky. Po poslednej strane prisiel uz len povzdych, ake skvele to mohlo byt..

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Easy read. I loved the call to virtue and the citation to people who have espoused and lived virtue over time from ancient historical figures to 20th and 21st century business leaders. I appreciate books like this that reference tried and true value structures that we can sample from and implement into our own lives.

[Pere Argemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of sources of information on virtues. Would expect a deeper anthropological approach a bit more separated from the religious aspect (it is great for a Christian but may keep the non believer distant from this model of leadership)

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for casual, but thoughtful reading, again and again.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Group read to prepare new leaders for our missionary team. Very insightful.

[Kendall Hunsaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read! It got me thinking a lot! I recommend this to anyone who is or is pursuing a leadership position!

[Lisa]

Read at request of customer

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very holistic approach on how to live life

[Marek Čigáš · Rating 5 out of 5]

Konečne manažérska kniha, ktorá sa riadi zdravým rozumom ! Niežeby písať o rôznych technikách time managementu a kadečom inom bolo zlé, ale častokrát zabúdame na základy. Táto kniha sa zaoberá práve nimi. Veľmi inšpiratívne a prínosné.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that makes Thomistic/Aristotelean virtue theory an inspiring reality for those desiring to be excellent in their various roles of service. Havard gives many examples from the lives of admirable and not-so-admirable leaders drawn from mostly modern European and American history. He offers compelling reasons to pursue the virtues, detailed examples to provide understanding of them and practical ways to achieve them.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravillosa lectura sobre liderazgo.

Un liderazgo real fundamentado en la magnanimidad, que no es otra cosa sino la humildad del servicio a otros.

Excelente libro, excelente autor, 100 % recomendado

[Ross Dessert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of virtues - especially how they apply to professional life. Great read. Great stories and examples.

[Anna Akmene · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about leadership as a mission, not only ambitions. Leadership is a character, not a feature. It's all in your hands and you can create yourself as a leader.

[Pinkyivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting self help, but got a nice updated version of virtue ethics.

[Anna Brodarick]

My favorite part of the book was learning Corazon Aquino's story. What an inspiring woman, and a strong leader!

[Catherine Mohs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on a Christian perspective on leadership and how virtues play in important role in all leadership styles.

[Patrick Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally rated this four stars, but I find that 3.5 years later I still ruminate on it and apply its lessons and reminders to my life.

Worth the time to read.

[Nikola C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book for every bussinesman.
Outstanding!
I will read this book again...