Leading from Within: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Lead

by Sam M. Intrator, Megan Scribner

Leading from Within is a wonderful collection of  ninety-three poems from well-loved poets, each of which is accompanied by a brief personal commentary from a leader explaining the significance and meaning of the poem in his or her life and work. The contributors represent a wide range of professions including Vanguard Group founder John Bogle, MoveOn.org cofounder Joan Blades, several members of Congress, Christian activist Brian McLaren, business guru Peter Senge, and many other leaders from business, medicine, education, nonprofits, law, politics and government, and religion. In their reflections, these leaders explore how they have been inspired by poets such as T.S. Eliot, Mary Oliver, William Stafford, Langston Hughes, Pablo Neruda, Robert Frost, Rumi, May Sarton, Wallace Stevens, Wendell Berry, and Rainer Maria Rilke. "Leading from Within is perhaps the most soulful treatment of leadership ever composed. Leadership is first an inner quest, and there is absolutely no better place to explore your inner territory than in the pages of this book. This is an evocative work of art; do yourself an immense favor, and engage with these amazing and diverse leaders and their poems."—Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the bestselling The Leadership Challenge and A Leader's Legacy

"Leading from Within makes brilliant use of the world's great poets to inspire us to lead with our hearts as well as our heads. It calls to the deeper purpose and meaning within all of us to use our gifts to serve others."—Bill George, author, True Discover Your Authentic Leadership

"This is a superb collection of poems and deeply personal reflections from a wide range of real leaders. It is a gift to all of us who believe in bringing our hearts to our work." —Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)

"The entries in this wonderful anthology are a joy to read and all the more interesting because of their special meaning to the leaders who recommended them. It is a book that every nonprofit leader should place among those they draw upon for inspiration every day."—Diana Aviv, president and CEO, Independent Sector

"Leading from Within offers a candid view straight into the heart and soul of leaders striving to do good and effective work in the world. The poems and commentaries remind us that leadership is always deeply personal and chock-full of dilemmas that must be addressed by creativity, passion, imagination, and courage."—Jeff Swartz, president and CEO, Timberland

Genres: Poetry, Leadership, Business, Professional Development, Nonfiction, Spirituality

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaders around the world choose poems which inspires them as leaders and comment upon the poems' influences on their lives. The poems in this volume include such widely known poems as "The Road Not Taken," "Hope is the thing with feathers," and "Ulysses," but also include less-quoted poems such as poems by Daisy Zamora, Mark Nepo, and Yehuda Amichai. There is much to find to inspire you in this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of poems that will heal your soul at times when you need it most.

[Aira · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Leading from Within: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Lead" by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner is a unique and inspiring exploration of leadership through the lens of poetry. Instead of offering traditional leadership advice, the book curates poems by well-known authors alongside personal reflections from established leaders.

Strengths:

Fresh Perspective: The book uses poetry as a tool for self-reflection and inspiration, offering a refreshing departure from conventional leadership manuals.

Diverse Voices: The inclusion of poems from a wide range of authors (T.S. Eliot, Mary Oliver, Langston Hughes, etc.) provides a rich tapestry of perspectives on leadership qualities and challenges.

Leader's Insights: The accompanying reflections from prominent figures (John Bogle, Joan Blades, etc.) bridge the gap between poetry and practical application, demonstrating how these poems resonate with real-world leadership experiences.

Weaknesses:

Requires Active Engagement: The book demands active participation from the reader. Interpreting the poems and connecting them to leadership concepts requires effort and reflection.

Limited Scope: By focusing on poetry, the book doesn't delve into the practical aspects of leadership, such as strategy or skill development.

Specificity: Since the poems aren't specifically written about leadership, some readers may find it challenging to directly connect them to leadership themes.

Overall:

"Leading from Within" is a thought-provoking resource for leaders seeking inspiration and self-discovery. It's not a traditional leadership guide but rather a call to explore the inner world of a leader through the power of poetry. Readers willing to engage with the material will find it a rich source of reflection and motivation for their leadership journeys.

Who should read this book?

This book is ideal for established or aspiring leaders who are interested in a more philosophical and introspective approach to leadership development. It's also a good choice for anyone who enjoys poetry and appreciates its ability to spark self-reflection.

[Brahm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book diverges from traditional leadership manuals by using poetry as a medium for self-reflection and inspiration. Each poem is accompanied by commentary that connects its themes to the challenges and experiences faced by leaders. Notable contributors to the reflections include figures like John Bogle and Joan Blades, who share their insights on how poetry resonates with their leadership journeys.

The use of poetry offers a refreshing departure from conventional leadership advice, encouraging leaders to explore their inner worlds and emotions. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of what it means to lead effectively. The anthology includes works from a variety of poets, such as T.S. Eliot, Mary Oliver, and Langston Hughes. This diversity enriches the reader's experience by presenting multiple perspectives on leadership qualities and challenges. The reflections from established leaders bridge the gap between poetic expression and practical application, illustrating how these literary works can inform real-world leadership experiences.

Leading from Within is a thought-provoking resource for leaders seeking inspiration and self-discovery. It invites readers to reflect on their inner lives while navigating the complexities of leadership. While it may not serve as a traditional guide, those willing to engage deeply with its content will find it a rich source of motivation for their leadership journeys. This book is particularly suited for established or aspiring leaders interested in a philosophical approach to personal and professional growth, as well as anyone who appreciates the power of poetry in sparking self-reflection.

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice set of short leadership narratives, paired with each writer's fave poem (or fragment). The perspectives tend to be optimistic and in the social justice realm. As this book was published in 2007, it avoids the outrage, partisanship, and nomenclature of today. I find that refreshing.

Most, but not all, of the leadership narratives and poems hit.
I enjoyed how there was lots of space in the margins to draw, sketch, and write.

[Chris Loeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great poems and often more valuable reflections by world, regional, and local leaders. This is one I will continue to come back to. The last section talks about the ways you might use poetry as a leader; I almost wish they had started with it, although it may not have been so helpful because I had taken in the great poetry and thinking already.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent poetry collection. Each poem is introduced by a leader in one of a variety of fields who writes about why a particular poem inspires them as a leader. I loved and was inspired by the humility of many of the contributors.

[Robert Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good at the heart

I thought the excerpts and prose were well choose for the modern reader. It had clarity but the vision lacked depth

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering I’m not a big poetry person, there were several stories and poems alike that truly spoke to me. Maybe I should take the time to read more. This was a good exercise to undergo for me.

[Sabra Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!

[Bill]

This is a poetry anthology that combined poetry with the insights of leaders in the fields of education, business, non-profits, politics and religion. Throughout the book the common theme is that poetry makes us better leaders by slowing us down, clearing our minds of cant and over-rationality, broadening empathy, and seeing the world through new perspectives. That ultimately what makes a leader great isn't the ability to command but to look inward and listen to our hearts. A wide variety of poets makes for an illuminating read: Mary Oliver, William Stafford, Wendell Berry, Tennyson, Shakespeare, Rumi, Charles Simic, Langston Hughes, and more. 3.65 Martinie glasses

[Mark Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry that helps you lead?!

Sounded questionable but once I read the excellent introduction by Parker Palmer I was ready to dig in and what a great reading experience. Combining poems and personal comments from leaders about their experiences in leading and their experiences in poetry was a genius idea.

I look at poetry differently than I had before this book...and the way I see it now is deeper, richer...more accessible and relatable to my day to day life.

Try it...you may find the same for yourself.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthology of poems and personal testaments to their power.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this. Insights from many leaders, learned in the course of their lives and careers, supported and inspired by poetry. Wow.

[Yvonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poem on the right-hand page, an essay written by a person to whom the poem is important on the left-hand page. I read a few, nothing moved me, I stopped reading. :/