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Letters from Leaders: Personal Advice For Tomorrow's Leaders From The World's Most Influential People
Possibly no one on Earth personally knows as many people at the helms of nations, businesses, religions, charitable organizations, and institutes of learning as Henry O. Dormann—founder, chairman, and editor-in-chief of LEADERS magazine, whose circulation is limited to such leading figures. Here, he brings together the first-ever exclusive collection of wisdom and inspiration addressed to young people from the world’s most influential people—advice on leadership, goal achievement, public service, and life journeys.
Letters from Leaders is a beautifully designed book comprising nearly eighty letters from those who have done so much to shape our world today—from Muhammad Ali to four U.S. Presidents, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and King Abdullah II of Jordan, and the Dalai Lama; from Cathie Black to T. Boone Pickens, Muriel Siebert, and Donald Trump. The letters, some as facsimile reproductions of handwritten originals, are each introduced with a biographical note by Dormann.
As put so aptly by Dormann in his introduction, “All kings and queens, presidents, Nobel Laureates, chairmen and chairwomen, CEOs, and world leaders have one thing in common: They want what they have achieved to be useful and to be handed over to a younger generation. . . . The leaders in these pages have ‘lived’ and now offer their experiences as a treasure to ambitious and open minds—those who want to be something in life.”
Letters from Leaders is a beautifully designed book comprising nearly eighty letters from those who have done so much to shape our world today—from Muhammad Ali to four U.S. Presidents, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and King Abdullah II of Jordan, and the Dalai Lama; from Cathie Black to T. Boone Pickens, Muriel Siebert, and Donald Trump. The letters, some as facsimile reproductions of handwritten originals, are each introduced with a biographical note by Dormann.
As put so aptly by Dormann in his introduction, “All kings and queens, presidents, Nobel Laureates, chairmen and chairwomen, CEOs, and world leaders have one thing in common: They want what they have achieved to be useful and to be handed over to a younger generation. . . . The leaders in these pages have ‘lived’ and now offer their experiences as a treasure to ambitious and open minds—those who want to be something in life.”
264 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
22 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 7, 2024
كان ممكن الكتاب يكون أحسن من كده لو كانت نوعية الاسئلة اللي بتتسأل للناس أحسن من كده..
September 30, 2021
one star for that donald trump part.
January 2, 2021
“Some leaders leave money, others leave inspiration. Many leave both. But all are anxious for young people to learn from their successes and even their failures. Here are some words to the wise from a lot of wise leaders. Why not!” -Henry Dormann, Chairman and Editor in Chief of LEADERS magazine.
The introduction needs no better words! This book packs short, sweet and solid advice from various leaders. Here are some of my favourites.
1) E. Marie McKee, CEO of Steuben Glass: You set your own limits when you don’t expose yourself to new ideas, new people, and new challenges.
2) William Harrison Jr, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase: Have a view, be willing to constructively express it, and use it to make something better.
3) Jimmy Carter, 39th US President: Try the ancillary things, the extra things that don’t interfere with your major commitment but enhance and expand it. Don’t live encapsulated in a cocoon with people just like you.
4) George H.W. Bush, 41st US President: When things go well, always give credit to others.
5) Sumner Redstone, Chairman of Viacom: Competence, Commitment and Character.
6) Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of USSR: Make sure that your friends are important to you. Make sure that people are important to you. Young people should make a decision that matches your inclinations, capabilities, and tastes.
7) @realdonaldtrump, Chairman of Trump Organisation: Be globally aware, keep up with worldwide events.
Part 2/2 of Letters From Leaders from https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfMsGFhIs_/
1) Leon M. Lederman, 1988 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics: Neither great hair (intellect) nor talent alone leads to success. Much hard work, total obsessive dedication, luck and a few sparks of imagination will bring you there.
2) Sir David Tang, one of the most personable character in HK: It is important to excel in whatever you do, however lowly the job. You should always look for a niche.
3) Jean Afterman, VP of New York Yankees: All children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice and out them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.
4) Doreen A. Toben, CFO of Verizon : Try different parts of the business.
5) James S. Turkey, CEO of Ernst &Young: Integrity is the bedrock upon which all else is built. Respect of others is essential. No one succeeds for very long on his or her own. Attitude is more important than aptitude.
The introduction needs no better words! This book packs short, sweet and solid advice from various leaders. Here are some of my favourites.
1) E. Marie McKee, CEO of Steuben Glass: You set your own limits when you don’t expose yourself to new ideas, new people, and new challenges.
2) William Harrison Jr, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase: Have a view, be willing to constructively express it, and use it to make something better.
3) Jimmy Carter, 39th US President: Try the ancillary things, the extra things that don’t interfere with your major commitment but enhance and expand it. Don’t live encapsulated in a cocoon with people just like you.
4) George H.W. Bush, 41st US President: When things go well, always give credit to others.
5) Sumner Redstone, Chairman of Viacom: Competence, Commitment and Character.
6) Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of USSR: Make sure that your friends are important to you. Make sure that people are important to you. Young people should make a decision that matches your inclinations, capabilities, and tastes.
7) @realdonaldtrump, Chairman of Trump Organisation: Be globally aware, keep up with worldwide events.
Part 2/2 of Letters From Leaders from https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfMsGFhIs_/
1) Leon M. Lederman, 1988 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics: Neither great hair (intellect) nor talent alone leads to success. Much hard work, total obsessive dedication, luck and a few sparks of imagination will bring you there.
2) Sir David Tang, one of the most personable character in HK: It is important to excel in whatever you do, however lowly the job. You should always look for a niche.
3) Jean Afterman, VP of New York Yankees: All children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice and out them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.
4) Doreen A. Toben, CFO of Verizon : Try different parts of the business.
5) James S. Turkey, CEO of Ernst &Young: Integrity is the bedrock upon which all else is built. Respect of others is essential. No one succeeds for very long on his or her own. Attitude is more important than aptitude.
May 20, 2024
Pros: physically, a very nice book. Thick pages, frayed edges etc. Seems to be meant to be a gift for a highschool/undergraduate student. Has some facsimiles of letters from leaders in addition to the typed out transcription.
Cons: all the letters say the same thing. Almost all the letters came from leaders in politics, finance, and business. There were no (par 1) artists - musicians, sculptors, painters, graphic designers etc. I was also confused if this book/these letters were supposed to provide advice on leadership specifically or how to succeed. If it is the latter, a larger, more diverse pool of successful people could have been drawn from.
Would recommend for a young graduate or someone in business. Otherwise not inspiring and a boring read.
Cons: all the letters say the same thing. Almost all the letters came from leaders in politics, finance, and business. There were no (par 1) artists - musicians, sculptors, painters, graphic designers etc. I was also confused if this book/these letters were supposed to provide advice on leadership specifically or how to succeed. If it is the latter, a larger, more diverse pool of successful people could have been drawn from.
Would recommend for a young graduate or someone in business. Otherwise not inspiring and a boring read.
June 29, 2023
There are some gems, but a lot of the letters had repetitive advice, and most of them are short, surface-level messages only. It’s also a bit too American-centric for my liking, but I suppose the book was originally made with an American audience in mind. The low rating mainly reflects mismatch of my personal expectation of the book, might still be worth reading for those looking to get short inspirational messages to lift up spirits.
October 21, 2025
Had to read this for my Communicating Ethical Leadership college course
Honestly an awesome read that takes so many letters, interviews, comments, etc. of world leaders, businessmen, presidents, players, etc. and compiles them all into this book. Lots of similarities between most of their thoughts, but lots to take away for sure. Reminds me a bit of “Meditations.” Lots of wisdom to be taken and can be applied to your everyday life no matter where you are or who’s around you
Honestly an awesome read that takes so many letters, interviews, comments, etc. of world leaders, businessmen, presidents, players, etc. and compiles them all into this book. Lots of similarities between most of their thoughts, but lots to take away for sure. Reminds me a bit of “Meditations.” Lots of wisdom to be taken and can be applied to your everyday life no matter where you are or who’s around you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2017
The advice from the leaders is for the most part, surprisingly trite. It made me wonder what questions they were asked to answer that elicited such drivel.
September 8, 2019
عبد الله القاني و دونالد ترامب و فلاديمير بوتيم هم من تؤخذ منهم المشورة؟ 😂
September 9, 2010
I'm pretty disappointed with this one. It is a book put together by Leaders Magazine, a magazine with a limited subscriber base. Basically you have to be hugely rich or influential to even have a subscription. The magazine asked major CEOs and world leaders to put together their thoughts on leadership. Most of the stuff in the book is boiler plate drivel. It seems like most of the leaders were annoyed and just scribbled something down and sent it in.
December 25, 2012
I enjoyed reading some of the letters written by some very well respected religious leaders, sports figures, and politicians. Although I felt that the book itself was more focused conformity on that true leadership. The letters were very interesting to read, but the intro to most letters were small, and didn't give much description. It could have been better organized as well. If you are to buy this book, I would purchase a hard copy, because the photocopied letters are included.
December 31, 2012
Recomendo, livro interessante com cartas de líderes mundiais e consagrados. Textos curtos, diretos e objetivos com vontade de ler uma página atrás da outra.
Do the right thing. There are values that everyoneknows but many disregard when it comes to business. Behave ethically. Work hard. Respect others. If you embrace this approach, it will make your reputation. Howard J. Rubenstein
Do the right thing. There are values that everyoneknows but many disregard when it comes to business. Behave ethically. Work hard. Respect others. If you embrace this approach, it will make your reputation. Howard J. Rubenstein
July 4, 2010
Some very inspirational messages, some more common-sense ones, and some boring ones. I had to laugh at George W. Bush's letter because it is easily the longest and most incoherent letter in the book.
December 19, 2014
Well-known, respectable figures allowing us the opportunity to get a slice of their wealth of insights, knowledge, advice and most of all their experience. It's not often we find such a collection and expect to find gems every now and then.
February 23, 2015
This a great book to read with snippets of advice and knowledge from some of the world's leaders. I think this a book that you can come back to again and again. Dormann does a fantastic job of organizing these letters into digestible packets.
September 8, 2010
Interesting book for motivation and wisdom..
What I most like about it is that it contains copies of the original letters.
A good gift for those who like to Enrich their library.
What I most like about it is that it contains copies of the original letters.
A good gift for those who like to Enrich their library.
July 11, 2012
I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in any level of success!
January 23, 2014
Great business book to use for speeches or for examples in blogs or in teaching.
March 21, 2014
Very inspirational. Great scope of influences with varying backgrounds. Easy to fly through. Hits all the right notes.
November 30, 2014
more of a guide, a motivation kick for your everyday life. I really enjoyed it.
January 17, 2015
Great collection of world's famous people's words. Be critical, thoughtful, and grateful when reading them.
June 7, 2019
quick re-learn
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews