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What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader
For decades, we have looked to management theorists, organizational psychologists and economists to tell us how we can squeeze the most out of people at work. The result? People are uninspired, feel like cogs in a machine and prefer to leave traditional work structures behind. Numbers and productivity can only get you so far.
What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader offers a different route that will allow you to reconnect with the humanist values of work. By turning to philosophy, and what it teaches us about finding fulfilment and living a good life, this book uncovers the ways you can re-engage your workforce by valuing its members as people, rather than just tools within the process.
The four authors argue that the rise of the 'omnipotent leader', who focuses on telling rather than leading, risks creating a new generation of feudal CEOs and needs to be resisted. With the help of Aristotle, Socrates, Kant and Nietzsche, as well as a whole host of other brilliant minds, they turn traditional management practices on their head, showing how moving away from traditional, hierarchical, risk focused control structures can lead to improved employee engagement, increased productivity and better outcomes for the entire business.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2019
16 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 17, 2025
The book was published on 3rd October 2019. A 288-page book full of insights. Read the book from 11th to 17th November 2025.
The book “What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader” provides a new perspective on leadership by incorporating insights from philosophical traditions.
The authors examine how ancient wisdom and philosophical principles can be applied to contemporary business challenges, equipping leaders with tools to improve decision-making, enhance employee engagement, and create ethical and productive work environments.
This book connects abstract philosophical concepts to practical leadership skills, offering a distinctive approach to personal and professional development.
Key Takeaways
Effective Leadership: A Philosophical Approach.
Effective leadership revolves around fostering trust and fairness while leading by example, rather than exerting control and influence. Embracing moral diversity helps leaders navigate complex ethical dilemmas in the workplace.
True empowerment stems from creating environments where employees feel safe to express their ideas and take risks, rather than simply granting them temporary power.
Successful strategies prioritize experimentation, learning, and adaptation instead of adhering to rigid, predetermined plans. Understanding the balance between freedom and responsibility is essential for both personal growth and effective leadership.
My Summary: What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader.
Introduction: A Philosophical Approach to Modern Leadership.
As a longtime book enthusiast and former author, I’m constantly seeking fresh perspectives on leadership.
“What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader,” written by Alison Reynolds, Dominic Houlder, Jules Goddard, and David Lewis, offers precisely that—a refreshing and thought-provoking approach to leadership through the lens of philosophy. Published in 2019 by Kogan Page, this 232-page book bridges the gap between ancient philosophical concepts and contemporary business challenges.
In today’s fast-paced business world, where leaders often scramble for the latest management trends, the book’s approach feels both innovative and timeless. Having experienced various leadership styles throughout my career, I was immediately intrigued by the idea that philosophy—a discipline often regarded as abstract and detached from practical concerns—could provide valuable insights for modern leaders.
The Limitations of Traditional Leadership Approaches.
The book begins with a critical examination of current leadership strategies, many of which are rooted in psychological approaches. As I read this section, I found myself nodding in agreement, recalling numerous organizations I’ve encountered that struggle with employee engagement despite employing trendy management techniques.
The authors make a bold claim that resonated with me: where psychology has failed to genuinely empower employees and foster fulfilling work environments, philosophy may succeed. This proposition suggests a fundamental shift in how we perceive leadership and organizational dynamics—a shift that, in my opinion, is long overdue.
Philosophical Foundations for Self-Actualization.
One of the book’s central themes that captivated me is the significance of reason and self-examination in achieving self-actualization for both leaders and their teams. The authors skillfully reference Aristotle’s concept of the “middle way” and Nietzsche’s emphasis on self-awareness to illustrate how philosophical thinking can guide us toward more fulfilling and effective leadership practices.
As someone who has always been fascinated by personal development, I found this section not only enlightening but also deeply practical. It encouraged me to reflect on my own leadership style and consider how I might apply these principles to become more self-aware and balanced in my approach. The notion that effective leadership begins with understanding oneself is not new, but the philosophical framework presented here offers a fresh and profound perspective.
The book “What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader” provides a new perspective on leadership by incorporating insights from philosophical traditions.
The authors examine how ancient wisdom and philosophical principles can be applied to contemporary business challenges, equipping leaders with tools to improve decision-making, enhance employee engagement, and create ethical and productive work environments.
This book connects abstract philosophical concepts to practical leadership skills, offering a distinctive approach to personal and professional development.
Key Takeaways
Effective Leadership: A Philosophical Approach.
Effective leadership revolves around fostering trust and fairness while leading by example, rather than exerting control and influence. Embracing moral diversity helps leaders navigate complex ethical dilemmas in the workplace.
True empowerment stems from creating environments where employees feel safe to express their ideas and take risks, rather than simply granting them temporary power.
Successful strategies prioritize experimentation, learning, and adaptation instead of adhering to rigid, predetermined plans. Understanding the balance between freedom and responsibility is essential for both personal growth and effective leadership.
My Summary: What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader.
Introduction: A Philosophical Approach to Modern Leadership.
As a longtime book enthusiast and former author, I’m constantly seeking fresh perspectives on leadership.
“What Philosophy Can Teach You About Being a Better Leader,” written by Alison Reynolds, Dominic Houlder, Jules Goddard, and David Lewis, offers precisely that—a refreshing and thought-provoking approach to leadership through the lens of philosophy. Published in 2019 by Kogan Page, this 232-page book bridges the gap between ancient philosophical concepts and contemporary business challenges.
In today’s fast-paced business world, where leaders often scramble for the latest management trends, the book’s approach feels both innovative and timeless. Having experienced various leadership styles throughout my career, I was immediately intrigued by the idea that philosophy—a discipline often regarded as abstract and detached from practical concerns—could provide valuable insights for modern leaders.
The Limitations of Traditional Leadership Approaches.
The book begins with a critical examination of current leadership strategies, many of which are rooted in psychological approaches. As I read this section, I found myself nodding in agreement, recalling numerous organizations I’ve encountered that struggle with employee engagement despite employing trendy management techniques.
The authors make a bold claim that resonated with me: where psychology has failed to genuinely empower employees and foster fulfilling work environments, philosophy may succeed. This proposition suggests a fundamental shift in how we perceive leadership and organizational dynamics—a shift that, in my opinion, is long overdue.
Philosophical Foundations for Self-Actualization.
One of the book’s central themes that captivated me is the significance of reason and self-examination in achieving self-actualization for both leaders and their teams. The authors skillfully reference Aristotle’s concept of the “middle way” and Nietzsche’s emphasis on self-awareness to illustrate how philosophical thinking can guide us toward more fulfilling and effective leadership practices.
As someone who has always been fascinated by personal development, I found this section not only enlightening but also deeply practical. It encouraged me to reflect on my own leadership style and consider how I might apply these principles to become more self-aware and balanced in my approach. The notion that effective leadership begins with understanding oneself is not new, but the philosophical framework presented here offers a fresh and profound perspective.
April 14, 2020
Multiple morality is one of the concepts is the one I like and learned. Imagine a war situation when Person from your staff leaks information that harms the whole soldiers. Should you fire all your staff because one person leaks it and harms the soldiers or should you take another path to find the right solution? I think it’s good to know that there is a dependency and you should evaluate all sides before making a decision
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
Excellent read.
February 27, 2020
A book that explains how leadership can be acquired through philosophical perspectives. One of the best tools that we can use to see life in a different way is to use philosophy, by argumenting and open our minds with different ways of thinking.
February 14, 2020
“Many of the problems we face both on a personal level and a business level could be solved if we explored them through a different lens. Philosophy is a useful tool in the quest to understand why we act the way we do and how we could alter our thinking to achieve better results and be better leaders. So, if you want to be a better leader, or a more rounded person, look to philosophy for possible answers.
Actionable advice:
Strengthen your argumentative skills.
The next time you think you are certain about something, run a thought experiment. Try to locate the basis of your certainty and figure out whether or not it’s actually a solid foundation. Next, try to build up the logic of the counter-argument as much as you can. What have you learned by the end that you didn’t know at the beginning?”
Actionable advice:
Strengthen your argumentative skills.
The next time you think you are certain about something, run a thought experiment. Try to locate the basis of your certainty and figure out whether or not it’s actually a solid foundation. Next, try to build up the logic of the counter-argument as much as you can. What have you learned by the end that you didn’t know at the beginning?”
February 18, 2020
Leans heavily into Keynesian philosophy which I have always struggled with but interesting theoretical applications.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews