Beyond Luck

by John E. Langhorne

What managers challenges and problems. What managers don't time. With that in mind, John Langhorne has written an 'un-book,' one that offers solutions, knowledge and insight in short, easily managed articles. John has worked mostly with small and mid-sized businesses (those with fewer than 5,000 employees) in his 25-year career, making Beyond Luck particularly well-suited for managers and leaders in such organizations. This un-book contains 75 short (about 800 words), practical articles, each of which is interlinked to three other supporting or complementing pieces. Thus, rather than read this front to back like a traditional book, you can enter this un-book anywhere and follow your interests. Included are single articles that offer tools to solve practical problems and series that allow time for study and reflection. These range from the tactical to the strategic and assume that competently leading and managing is a learned art focused on people. While the content is the draw, the organizing structure makes accessing the right article at the right moment a quick, easy task. The articles are grouped in five major management practices; management principles; leadership and executive behavior; motivation and morale, jobs and job loss and personal development. Three indices breaking the content down by topics, problems solved and personal development further assist navigating your own path to leadership success.

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lindsey Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was assigned for a Leadership class. Some good information, & I liked how it was organized to read in different sections if needed. The information presented didn't seem like nee information to me however.

[Ashley Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read on management and leadership. Hits all the important topics in just the right depth. Gives additional resources if you want to dive deeper. Great manual for a new leader.

[Iowa City Public Library]

Do you know John Langhorne’s writings? John is a columnist for the Corridor Business Journal and the head of Langhorne Associates, a management consulting firm. If you don’t know John and you are interested in management and leadership you should try to meet him, but until you do here is your chance read his work. The 77 columns are short, to the point and there is take-away lesson in each one.

The book is divided into five sections – Management Practices, Management Principles, Leadership and Executive Behavior, Motivation and Morale, Jobs and Job Loss and Personal Development. I think the quote from Gayle Roberts, President Stanley Consultants, best sums up this compilation “Beyond Luck is a book that will remain on my desk, not on a shelf. Every page offers practical advice for managers and leaders in tackling the challenges of their daily work”. --Maeve

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