Blake: Leader: Leadership Lessons From a Great New Zealander

by Mark Orams

How to lead winning teams: an insider's insight into the leadership of yachting legend Sir Peter Blake.

New Zealand lost one of its favourite sons when Sir Peter Blake was shot and killed in the Amazon in late 2001. Blake had become a icon after leading New Zealand to victory in the 1995 and 2000 America's Cups, following earlier successes in the Whitbread Round the World Race and Jules Verne Challenge. His accomplishments demonstrate his skill at assembling, managing and leading winning teams.

Blake: Leader is written by sailor and marine scientist Dr Mark Orams, who sailed around the world with Blake and worked with him at Team New Zealand and Blakexpeditions. In this book he looks at Blake's successful style of leadership from a personal viewpoint. It mixes reminiscences and anecdotes from Orams and other sporting and business figures who worked closely with Blake with practical observations of how he chose and led teams.

Break-out boxes and chapter summaries highlight key points and techniques that can be used by leaders and team members in a wide range of sports and business situations. Chapters include building a great team, being a great leader, encouraging a great work ethic and having a winning attitude. It also examines the unique New Zealand style of leadership demonstrated by other great Kiwi leaders and how Blake's legacy can be taken into the future.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jackie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guts - if there is one thing that Sir Peter Blake had in buckets it is certainly that. I had the privilege of visiting the Kermadec Islands with Mark in January 2018 as part of Young Blake Expeditions, and throughout the journey I continued to be awed by the life and lessons of this 'Great New Zealander'. Before going on the voyage, I was aware of Sir Peter Blake and his legacy to a certain extent (thanks to the Youth Enviro Leaders Forum), but it was when we sat cross legged in a large circle on the flat cargo deck of the navy vessel at dusk, listening to Mark reminisce about his time with Sir Peter Blake that the shape and quality of his leadership was reified for me. One critique of this book - it's even better when it's told by the author just off Raoul Island, with the calls of the native sea birds Sir Peter Blake loved playing in the background. I know I won't be a leader like Sir Peter Blake - he was beyond unique, and I don't have that in me - but I do hope that when I come across it I can give that person my best, in whatever forms it takes.

[Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Sir peter blake. And his leadership lessons.
My favorite part of the story is all of the quotes/things that you can use in your life.
I learnt how to be a better leader.