What do you think?
Rate this book
Leadership Lessons from the Civil War: Winning Strategies for Today's Managers
Strategic lessons for today's business leaders culled from the great leaders and battlefield decisions of the Civil War.
"War," Tom Stoppard writes in his brilliant play Travesties, "is capitalism with the gloves off."
Business has often been likened to war. Given their similarities, what better way to learn about strategic business leadership than from the battlefield triumphs--and catastrophes--of America's greatest conflict, the Civil War? In Leadership Lessons from the Civil War , former CEO and telecommunications leader Tom Wheeler distills basic leadership strategies used in the Civil War into nine specific lessons--illustrated with in-depth stories of battlefield decisions--that can help guide business leaders today.
Through Union General George McClellan's devastating encounters with Confederate General Robert E. Lee, for example, we see the consequences of one leader's fear of ultimate defeat. Had McClellan been courageous enough to employ his advantage in troop size and position, he could have handily defeated Lee several times in the war. Lee, on the other hand, was willing to risk everything to achieve victory, which helped make victory possible.
Among the time-tested lessons Wheeler convincingly
Never fight today's battles with yesterday's tactics
The greatest campaigns are often decided by the smallest skirmishes
If you can't win--change the rules
In the course of the book, Wheeler recounts his own experiences in the telecommunications industry, using the war stories of such media moguls as Craig McCaw, Ted Turner, and Gerald Levin as examples of modern-day Stonewall Jacksons and Jeb Stuarts who apply these strategic lessons to today's corporate battles.
Based on the life-or-death triumphs and failures of America's greatest military campaigns, Leadership Lessons from the Civil War is an inspiring--and extraordinarily readable--guide to business leadership and decision making.
"War," Tom Stoppard writes in his brilliant play Travesties, "is capitalism with the gloves off."
Business has often been likened to war. Given their similarities, what better way to learn about strategic business leadership than from the battlefield triumphs--and catastrophes--of America's greatest conflict, the Civil War? In Leadership Lessons from the Civil War , former CEO and telecommunications leader Tom Wheeler distills basic leadership strategies used in the Civil War into nine specific lessons--illustrated with in-depth stories of battlefield decisions--that can help guide business leaders today.
Through Union General George McClellan's devastating encounters with Confederate General Robert E. Lee, for example, we see the consequences of one leader's fear of ultimate defeat. Had McClellan been courageous enough to employ his advantage in troop size and position, he could have handily defeated Lee several times in the war. Lee, on the other hand, was willing to risk everything to achieve victory, which helped make victory possible.
Among the time-tested lessons Wheeler convincingly
Never fight today's battles with yesterday's tactics
The greatest campaigns are often decided by the smallest skirmishes
If you can't win--change the rules
In the course of the book, Wheeler recounts his own experiences in the telecommunications industry, using the war stories of such media moguls as Craig McCaw, Ted Turner, and Gerald Levin as examples of modern-day Stonewall Jacksons and Jeb Stuarts who apply these strategic lessons to today's corporate battles.
Based on the life-or-death triumphs and failures of America's greatest military campaigns, Leadership Lessons from the Civil War is an inspiring--and extraordinarily readable--guide to business leadership and decision making.
- GenresLeadershipHistory
256 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1999
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Tom E. Wheeler
3 booksThomas Edgar Wheeler is an American businessman and former government official. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013. Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA).
In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame. Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable's 20th anniversary in 1995.
He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013. Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA).
In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame. Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable's 20th anniversary in 1995.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2021
Well, to start with, I don't read books on leadership tips. It was the history part of this one that caught my eye when I found it used. It is actually a good book! It is readable and accurate to assessment of Civil War generals and their leadership strengths ad weaknesses. Interesting book! It also explains some of the modern business leaders and their campaigns that happened during my life that I missed because I don't pay that much attention to business news. So that is why AT&T was broken up. So that is why we have cell phones. So that is why... If you don't read leadership books, then read this one for the Civil War leader's leadership qualities or their lack of leadership qualities.
Recommended.
Recommended.
April 20, 2021
The premise of the book generally holds up, but is pretty out of date at this point. Some of the history feels overly simplistic as does its application to today's management environment. I'm not sure it's supposed to be read as serious history, but I worry that some readers may take it as such.
September 19, 2011
I was really excited to read this book and I really did enjoy it. It such an interesting way to think about leadership. It was clearly written and I really appreciated how he connect civil war battles and business ventures.
I would recommend it to history buffs and those who hope to increase their leadership skills.
I would recommend it to history buffs and those who hope to increase their leadership skills.
Read
December 2, 2017I picked this book not really knowing what it was. The civil war stories were much more interesting to me than the business aspect of the book. The lessons, however, could be applied to any part of ones life.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews