Courage to Lead

by Charlie Farrell

In management, sales, team building, parenting, or relationships, leadership will be the deciding factor for those who win. The inspiring novel is about a woman with extraordinary courage & vision & her attempt, in a strange twist of fate, to show a man how to become a leader. The most important aspects of leadership: credibility, caring, confrontation, responsibility, & trust are woven throughout a fascinating story with remarkable characters. Although written for adults, this book has been used in a major university business school class on organizational behavior & has gotten extremely high marks for being an easy & enjoyable way to learn the important basics of leadership.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are some good leadership principles tucked away inside Courage to Lead, which is certainly a redeeming factor for this book. And when you consider that Farrell has found a way to attack the topic of leadership from the angle of a story - rather than another cold business book - it's a nice change of pace.

The problem is that the writing is cheesy, the characters are corny, and the story is predictable. I couldn't put my finger on exactly what the issue was, but every time one of the characters would say something, it sounded unnatural and forced.

Farrell is a great person and highly successful leader - so this review isn't a knock on him by any means - but as a piece of literature, it's hard for me to get behind Courage to Lead.

[Nikhil & Rucha Gadre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not much for “self-improvement” books, but this short easy-to-read is a very interesting story of a man’s journey to find leadership. Full of simple truths that define what a good leader is, Charlie Farell narrates a really nice story with some profound lessons for anyone trying to be a better professional.

[Scott Mitcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that uses a story to teach the lessons of being a leader. Charlie puts it plainly, in a way that many of us, your typical everyday person, can understand and relate to. This book will be kept close and I urge others looking to learn leadership to read this carefully and then share with others.

[Kiasha Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very compelling book, encouraging read!

[Jason Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anecdotal book about a mid-level manager who is seeking help to save his job and company. He meets a successful business woman, Charlotte, who gives him advice and help to become his best self and leader. This book is filled with good values that one will need if they are seeking to be a successful leader. I enjoyed the way these valuable principles are discussed, as the way the book is written makes it easy to read. It is a quick read and I would recommend this book to anyone looking to better themselves and study the make-up of a successful leader.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Of all the skills necessary to be successful, the ability and willingness for leaders to confront negative situations is one of the most important. The cemetery of failed businesses is inundated with the ghosts of men and women who didn't have the courage to confront." (p. 97)
Leaders wake up each morning and say, "This is what I'm gonna do today." (p. 143)

[Laynie D. Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and worthwhile read. A good reminder that business and managing is about people.