The Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons That Help You Inspire, Unite, and Achieve

by Marc Morial

To be a great leader, you must be able to unite people from all backgrounds with seemingly competing agendas to come together under a common cause. Marc Morial, former mayor of New Orleans and current president and CEO of the National Urban League, has been such a leader and shares the lessons he learned along a legendary journey of achievement.

Morial knew his calling from a young age--he was meant to be a leader in the fight for meaningful change. Growing up in the segregated South and helping his father realize an incredible victory as the first African American mayor of New Orleans, Morial was shown that, with the right tools, significant change is possible. 

Less than two decades later, in his own mayoral race in New Orleans,?Morial?built what he christened the “Gumbo Coalition,” an incredible mixture of?all of?New Orleans’s ingredients--African Americans,?Whites, Latinos, Asians, business leaders, grassroots community activists, business leaders, clergy, and many more. Each ingredient brought its own flavor, creating a dish that was able to reduce crime and rebuild New Orleans’s reputation with such power that the city was able to successfully attract an NBA franchise, multiple Super Bowls, and the Essence Festival, the largest African American event in the nation.

Now, Morial fights on behalf of the National Urban League to create a community with a voice so strong that nothing can stand in the way of change. He is ready to teach others what he has learned along the way, by showing readers what it means to be a leader who can unite voices and create meaningful change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2020

Reviews

[Kody · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book for 2 reasons. First it appeared to be at the cross section of Leadership and DEI writing. Second it was immediately available for checkout. It was moderately true of my first point and excessively true (for good reason) of my second point. 5 days into my 2024 reading challenge, this is by far the worst book I've read of the year and it will be a tall order for anything else to dethrone it of that title. If you are like me and are not overly familiar with who Marc Morial is, have no fear he will readily inform you of what he's done in one of the most self-celebratory books you could read.

[Paiman Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. “Speed means nothing without direction” – To be a leader, make a plan.
2. “A wise man changes, a fool never” – Leaders know when to be flexible.
3. “With one canoe, we can avoid the waterfall” – Leaders build consensus.
4. “They’re not refugees” – Being compassionate is a leadership strength.
5. “Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em” – Leaders can make good decisions under pressure.
6. “Get ready for the big payback” – Leaders can handle unexpected developments.
7. “Ants versus crabs” – Leaders figure out when to lead and when to follow.
8. “Working the room” – Leaders build deliberate networks.
9. “Persistence is always a winning formula” – Leaders don’t let disappointment stop them.
10. “Innovation requires seeing new paths” – Leaders find fresh solutions.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because I figured I would enjoy reading a book from the perspective of a past mayor of my city. I enjoy politics and history, so the book delivered on that front. But I was not expecting the book to be so applicable. I enjoyed seeing his connections of his experience to global leadership principles that can be applied to any setting. I found the noon to be thought-provoking as I looked at my current situation and how to apply the principles.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Right! The perfect book for a leader. Follow these excellent ideas and go up like New Orleans from a Mardi Gras evening to the New Orleans after the flood. A true story of leadership. And all on the taxpayer.

Or you throw this book into the garbage and do what the good mayor did: start collecting protection money from all your neighbors and throw in jail anyone who does not pay.

[Jeremiah Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morial: Clear, Powerful, Applicatory

Marc Morial gives power testimony on how to lead in the most overcoming, difficult, and divisive times in history. His lessons on leadership reach into the hearts of his readers through empathy and compassion, sharing his experiences much as if the reader were listening to him over coffee.

[Mam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seldom stop reading or listening to a book this early, but this one was not something I wanted to continue. Relatives of the author or citizens of New Orleans might find it interesting. The author brags - a lot. It's tiresome. But you know, I didn't like Machiavelli, either.

[Leonel Câmara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much bragging from a very lucky individual, very few good bits. Do not recommend.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read about local/state history and as a memoir of Marc Morial, who I did not know much about. However, it really was more of a memoir than a leadership book.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Morial last year when my bookstore hosted his book signing. This book was pretty helpful and gave some awesome insights.

[Biblio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gumbo Coalition walks the reader through ten lessons that every great leader should know in order to be successful; Speed means nothing without direction, A wise man changes, a fool never, With one canoe, we can avoid the waterfall, They’re not refugees, Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, Get ready for the big payback, Ants versus crabs, Working the room, Persistence is always a winning formula, and Innovation requires seeing new paths. While some of these lessons seem self explanatory, Marc Morial brings these lessons back to his core belief in the Gumbo Coalition; everyone having a seat at the table.
The author presents great leadership lessons for beginning leaders. I am occasionally pushed into a leadership role and learned from most of them. I question how much a seasoned leader might learn. While the book was enjoyable, Morial frequently brags about his accomplishments, only occasionally admitting his defeats. Though I expect it is typical of a politician to be a boastful self-promoter.