To Lead Is to Teach: Stories and Strategies from the Classroom to the Boardroom

by Jim Mahoney

“I wish I’d been able to read this book before becoming Governor. Mahoney’s charm, wit, and wisdom—drawn from deep experience—will guide today’s and tomorrow’s leaders to achieve the results they desire.”—Robert (Bob) Taft, Distinguished Research Associate (University of Dayton) and former Governor of Ohio 1999–2007“To Lead Is to Teach is sensitive, powerful, and deeply insightful. Jim Mahoney is a masterful storyteller who beautifully weaves his personal narrative into a font of lessons for life and leading. In doing so, he captures us in a place of beautiful reflection so we can each become stronger and wiser.”—Deborah S. Delisle, CEO, The Alliance for Excellent Education and former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education“To Lead Is to Teach is packed with stories and lessons for emerging and senior leaders to use as a roadmap within their own organizations. Regardless of profession, leaders can quickly reference ‘The Mahoney Three’ and apply them now. As a Marine colonel with over 30 years of service, I have a few books I take with me in my travels—To Lead Is to Teach is one of those books.” —Jay Johnson, Academy Director, George Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University“I couldn’t put this book down. Jim Mahoney has captured decades of wisdom in an easy-to-digest format that every leader can use to make organizations better for staff and those they serve.”—Paul Imhoff, Superintendent, Upper Arlington, Ohio, AASA President

Genres: Education

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2021

Reviews

[Jermaine Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mahoney completely debunks the well-known mantra, “Those who can do; those who can’t, teach,” and replaces it with, “Those who can’t teach, can’t lead.”!

Mahoney takes the reader on an insightful journey that is easily digestible through the life lessons he had learned as a teacher, principal, superintendent, executive director, and assistant professor.

To make a meaningful difference in any organization, it requires passion, expertise, humility, adaptability, and a commitment to growth, and it’s all in how you manage your relationships with others.

If you are interested in leadership, add this book to your shelf!

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Lead is To Teach: Stories and Strategies form the Classroom to the Boardroom by Jim Mahoney in what feels like a kitchen table discussion, Mahoney shares his career from first year teacher to CEO of Battelle for Kids. When discussing each position he brings qualities good teachers possess to light and links them to leadership skills. Broken into chapters by skills (you either have or want to gain) readers can customize Mahoney’s message by reading the whole book or just the topics they are interested in. Each topic is explained through examples of successes and failures and ends in what he calls the Mahoney Three – three actions readers can take directly related to the skill from that chapter. Chock full of great advice and quotes, those in the field of education looking to hone their leadership skills will find much in this book to be helpful.