The CEO Whisperer: Meditations on Leadership, Life, and Change

by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

At this critical junction in the history of humankind, leaders that are proficient in magical thinking aren’t going to solve our problems. Creating alternative realities is not the answer. We need a very different kind of leadership—leaders who can resist the calls of regression and whose outlook is firmly based in reality. We need leaders who analyze and draw conclusions from, or use their own experiences as a development tool, face their strengths and weaknesses, and critique their own experiences in order to build new understandings. In this very personal and entertaining book, Manfred Kets de Vries, one of the “gurus” in the field of leadership studies offers his thoughts on leadership and life, reflections written for executives and the people who deal with them. As a psychoanalyst and leadership professor let loose in the world of renowned global organizations—as a passionate educator and scholar, or just a human being at the receiving end of heart-rending emails—he examines the pitfalls of leadership and the challenges for the professionals who work with senior executives in today’s AI-focused world. He points out why leaders can derail, and what steps they can take to prevent this from happening. Ultimately, this book encourages you to “Know yourself,” but makes no bones about the challenge it represents. Understanding our “inner theatre” will always be an uphill struggle. Kets de Vries points out why deep dives into our inner world are always fraught with many anxieties. Included in the many subjects covered by the author are the loneliness of command, the management of disappointment, the destructive role of greed, the impact of stubbornness, the role of storytelling, the importance of wellness, and the role of corporate culture. In addition, the book addresses the important topic of how to create great teams and best places to work. Furthermore, the book touches on endings– the ending of our career and the growing realization of the inevitable ending of our life. As time grows short, Kets de Vries emphasizes that we have no time to lose in dealing with our anxieties, regrets, and the things we spend much of our life determined not to see. Taking a deep dive into self-knowledge requires courage and support, and he is here to guide you through it. 

Genres: Business

249 pages, Hardcover

Published December 16, 2020

About the author

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a Dutch psychologist, Professor of leadership development and organizational change at INSEAD, and consultant

Reviews

[Alireza Hejazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with leadership psychology. It addresses micro, meso, and macro leadership challenges that may arise from various mental patterns. It transcends corporate boundaries and lets leaders and followers discuss hedonic and eudaimonic paths to a meaningful life. It discusses self-actualization and identifies essential features of self-actualizing such as meaning, belonging, control, and competence. Reading the book, the readers learn several meta-values that are in place by the best businesses to work in, which closely resemble the components of self-actualization. It provides readers with an insight into the position of the whisperer, a leader who understands in detail how to communicate with others. For any leader who has a desire for a deeper understanding of the science of leadership psychology and psychoanalysis, this is a must-read.

[Sanford Chee]

BT review:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life...

[Minter Dial · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know Manfred Kde Vries work, this book reinforces many of the key tenets needed for leadership. He uses his background in Psychology with aplomb, plenty of stories and accounts.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het boek bevat voldoende wijsheden en inzichten om het drie sterren te geven. Maar een logisch opgebouwd boek met verhalen die boeien en doen uitkijken naar het vervolg, is niet de sterkte van deze auteur. Ook in een vorig boek had ik wat dezelfde conclusie.