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How to Lead: What You Actually Need to Do to Manage, Lead & Succeed.
Based on original research into some of the world’s best organisations, How to Lead cuts right through all the myths and mysteries to get straight to the heart of what it really takes to motivate, inspire and deliver results. This unique and brilliant combination of authoritative guidance and stimulating and entertaining advice will help you resolve some of the common challenges that every leader will face. Includes free access to checklists on handy leadership topics such as driving performance, managing time, setting and controlling budgets, dealing with crises and delegating.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
67 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Jo Owen
93 books41 followersJo is the first person to be awarded the CMI gold medal three times, for Mindset of Success; How to Manage and Leadership Skills Handbook.
He practices what he preaches as a leader: he has started seven NGOs with a collective turnover above $100million annually. He was a partner at Accenture; he started a bank, was sued for $12 billion and was the best nappy (diaper) salesman in Birmingham.
His research on leadership has taken him to the ends of the earth and resulted in Tribal Business School: what modern business can learn from traditional societies. He has worked with over 100 of the best , and a few of the worst, organisations on our planet and has interviewed everyone from spies to sportspeople as well as leaders around the world to find the essence of leadership.
His latest work is on Global Teams, which is the first book to look at the plumbing of globalisation: how global teams do and do not work.
He practices what he preaches as a leader: he has started seven NGOs with a collective turnover above $100million annually. He was a partner at Accenture; he started a bank, was sued for $12 billion and was the best nappy (diaper) salesman in Birmingham.
His research on leadership has taken him to the ends of the earth and resulted in Tribal Business School: what modern business can learn from traditional societies. He has worked with over 100 of the best , and a few of the worst, organisations on our planet and has interviewed everyone from spies to sportspeople as well as leaders around the world to find the essence of leadership.
His latest work is on Global Teams, which is the first book to look at the plumbing of globalisation: how global teams do and do not work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 17, 2013
Like most of us over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have had access to a multitude of leadership, management and business related literature.
The one thing I struggled with, in trying to apply the advice contained within the literature to my real life roles, were that the authors always seemed to assume everyone played by the rules. In these books there bizarrely appeared no private agenda's that could bring a department or organisation to its knees, if not dealt with. It became clear to me why so many people (particularly Women who socially had a choice) checked out of the business world - they could see right through through the politics and the constant games. Past experiences often taught us that the individuals with their own agenda who could be bothered with the politics often ended up on top for many reasons. There seemed little room for the pure of heart, conscientious and hardworking. So the good guys became demoralised and felt it was a choice between their principles or success. Being the people they were, their principles prevailed and the business world was left poorer for it.
What I loved about this book is that it really contemplates that the business world is as imperfect as everywhere else. It recognises the impact this type of behaviour has on us as individuals and it gives some practical sound advice as to how to deal with it. Sometimes it's just about having a different mindset yourself. Other situations there really are practical ways for you to avoid becoming a victim. Overall you need the courage of your convictions. In my mind and experience, courage in all things you truly believe in is imperative if you are to have any chance of success.
I constantly refer to this book and would highly recommend it. It will help you from your first management role up to and including executive Board level. Enjoy!
The one thing I struggled with, in trying to apply the advice contained within the literature to my real life roles, were that the authors always seemed to assume everyone played by the rules. In these books there bizarrely appeared no private agenda's that could bring a department or organisation to its knees, if not dealt with. It became clear to me why so many people (particularly Women who socially had a choice) checked out of the business world - they could see right through through the politics and the constant games. Past experiences often taught us that the individuals with their own agenda who could be bothered with the politics often ended up on top for many reasons. There seemed little room for the pure of heart, conscientious and hardworking. So the good guys became demoralised and felt it was a choice between their principles or success. Being the people they were, their principles prevailed and the business world was left poorer for it.
What I loved about this book is that it really contemplates that the business world is as imperfect as everywhere else. It recognises the impact this type of behaviour has on us as individuals and it gives some practical sound advice as to how to deal with it. Sometimes it's just about having a different mindset yourself. Other situations there really are practical ways for you to avoid becoming a victim. Overall you need the courage of your convictions. In my mind and experience, courage in all things you truly believe in is imperative if you are to have any chance of success.
I constantly refer to this book and would highly recommend it. It will help you from your first management role up to and including executive Board level. Enjoy!
September 8, 2023
Bought this long ago but gave up on it as I found it hard to get into. Dusted it off recently and tried again, and managed to grind through it this time, even though overall, I didn’t much enjoy it.
It actually has some OK material. Plus, I liked the intent of it. But it’s let down by the writing style and lots of bias and inconsistencies in the thinking.
It tries to take a more informal and pragmatic approach to leadership. No problems with that. So you get cartoons, anecdotes and case studies sprinkled through it to break up the thinking. But these often degenerate into dismissive and sweeping personal observations and opinions from the author with little substantiation. (e.g. “smart” people don’t make good leaders). There are some obvious biases and weaknesses in the thinking.
Many times, the author ridicules a behaviour and then demonstrates that same behaviour a few pages later. He says leaders have self-awareness but doesn’t show much of it in his writing.
It also pulls on a leadership survey he ran with what he calls 700 “top leaders” which is fine. However, you don’t get much detail on the results or how this was done. You get the odd percentage or quote, but you’ve no idea how the sample was selected. Was it random and representative? Or just a bunch of his consulting cronies and networking connections?
The case studies are mostly quite weak and don’t add much in the way of evidence. He makes a point, tells a story about what happened to him once, and then assumes that proves his point.
By the end was left with the feeling that despite his saying “anyone can learn to be a leader”, it’s only those who’ve been to public schools and are Oxbridge-educated who get to the top. Not because of what they know, but because of their nepotistic old-school tie connections.
The basic model of 3 and 1/2 Ps of leadership isn’t too bad, and he’s also good at pointing out common leadership flaws. However, there’s a consistent negative vibe where it’s his way to the top and no other way will work.
If you buy into this style, you’ll like this book. But there are other paths to becoming a leader. This narrow-minded, prescriptive approach wasn’t one I could buy into. A below-par business read.
It actually has some OK material. Plus, I liked the intent of it. But it’s let down by the writing style and lots of bias and inconsistencies in the thinking.
It tries to take a more informal and pragmatic approach to leadership. No problems with that. So you get cartoons, anecdotes and case studies sprinkled through it to break up the thinking. But these often degenerate into dismissive and sweeping personal observations and opinions from the author with little substantiation. (e.g. “smart” people don’t make good leaders). There are some obvious biases and weaknesses in the thinking.
Many times, the author ridicules a behaviour and then demonstrates that same behaviour a few pages later. He says leaders have self-awareness but doesn’t show much of it in his writing.
It also pulls on a leadership survey he ran with what he calls 700 “top leaders” which is fine. However, you don’t get much detail on the results or how this was done. You get the odd percentage or quote, but you’ve no idea how the sample was selected. Was it random and representative? Or just a bunch of his consulting cronies and networking connections?
The case studies are mostly quite weak and don’t add much in the way of evidence. He makes a point, tells a story about what happened to him once, and then assumes that proves his point.
By the end was left with the feeling that despite his saying “anyone can learn to be a leader”, it’s only those who’ve been to public schools and are Oxbridge-educated who get to the top. Not because of what they know, but because of their nepotistic old-school tie connections.
The basic model of 3 and 1/2 Ps of leadership isn’t too bad, and he’s also good at pointing out common leadership flaws. However, there’s a consistent negative vibe where it’s his way to the top and no other way will work.
If you buy into this style, you’ll like this book. But there are other paths to becoming a leader. This narrow-minded, prescriptive approach wasn’t one I could buy into. A below-par business read.
July 8, 2019
This book is refreshingly dense, compared to the lightweight, self-help feel of so many business books. I’m keeping it so I can reread it at some point. His approach to emotions was interesting and challenging for me. He advocates keeping your emotions to yourself, refining your skills at figuring out the emotions driving others, and scripting your communications to maximize impact. It struck me as such a manipulative, inauthentic way to behave. I put the book down for a little while in disgust before getting back to it. But then I pushed on and worked on engaging those ideas. He says that when meeting with people, you should put in preparation time that’s commensurate with the importance of the meeting. That’s been helpful advice. I’ve started sitting down to think through what I want, what’s driving them, etc. It’s helped me feel much more sure of myself in meetings. Even when writing emails to friends, it helps to stop and think about what this person wants and needs before I blurt out what’s on my mind. The more of these business books written by men I read, the more I realize that the business world takes place inside this mutually self-reinforcing web of masculine values: don’t reveal emotions, focus your energies on things that maximize your personal advantage, etc. The externalized emotional and domestic labor that this world view relies on is the vast negative space around this portrait of the economic man.
December 31, 2018
Owen's "How to Manage" is perhaps one of my favorite business/management books. "How to Lead" doesn't quite stack up. Much of it is recycled or somewhat expanded material from "How to Manage" and what's new feels disappointingly shallow. Nonetheless, this is a good primer for the practically minded middle-manager looking to stretch themselves beyond the realm of simply driving a team to meet expectations and into the domain of a true leader. This isn't the only book on leadership you'll ever need but it should help set you on the right course.
September 25, 2017
I liked the short sharp chapters in this
Book and although I read it through it could be picked up anywhere for the most useful bits to yourself.
Some good advice and case studies included. My concern - will I remember any of this is in a few weeks time? Not sure. Perhaps because it's a surface scim on several areas rather than an in-depth view.
Book and although I read it through it could be picked up anywhere for the most useful bits to yourself.
Some good advice and case studies included. My concern - will I remember any of this is in a few weeks time? Not sure. Perhaps because it's a surface scim on several areas rather than an in-depth view.
December 14, 2020
Really good book that gives out practical advice for three groups of leaders: beginners, middle managers, and leaders at the top. Each requires different types of behaviours, values, and skills.
The writing quality is particularly excellent. The book's 300 pages, but felt like 120. Easy to read and captivating.
The writing quality is particularly excellent. The book's 300 pages, but felt like 120. Easy to read and captivating.
December 22, 2021
It’s not a riveting cover to cover read - but I find it a help reference book for dealing with situations at work. Jo is clearly highly experienced and has had access to a plethora of leaders and styles. It’s really helpful to have his thoughts and experiences recorded and shared to learn from.
September 27, 2018
Very helpful and explicit
February 13, 2019
كتاب رائع
يحمل نصائح قيمة ويحتاج لقراءة متكرره
يحمل نصائح قيمة ويحتاج لقراءة متكرره
July 31, 2019
Probably it will be useful for leadership in job
August 10, 2020
3.5 stars: candid, grounded and easy to read and digest. Some memorable pieces, mostly good writing and editing. Has a clear Anglo-American perspective that needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
July 27, 2023
I was about to give two stars since the first few chapters were for Chief level
the middle to last sections were for associate and executor. The take in this book is nothing new, just okay to read.
the middle to last sections were for associate and executor. The take in this book is nothing new, just okay to read.
February 15, 2017
A handy pick up guide that you can use as a reference book. From it I was able to list a host of philosophical questions which I sat and answered with a glass of wine one evening. It has helped ground me and understand where I sit, and more importantly what it is I should change to move forward. I'll read this more than once.
September 16, 2012
easily the best business book i have read in my life. this is perfect if you are setting off or in the middle stages of working in a professional office based environment. if you are reading and learning from it at the latter stage in your career itrs perhaps too late to take in and make the changes the book recommends. the book is split into three sections which caters for the beginner, someonein middle mamanegent and then the partner director level people. it doesnt bore you with acronyms or models that you can use but gives some excellent insight on what you need to practically do to navigate sufsccessfully through the first few 15-20 years of profesional work. there were some things in there that i didnt agree with but on the whole it was very simply writeen adn conveyed a lot of common sense material and it wasnt overlodaed with case studies as is sometimes the case. a good balance and HIGHLY recommended, especially if you are just about to start work.
February 26, 2013
Excellent. I am a first line manager. Reading this book made me see what I need to do to improve my game and excel in my career while at the same time motivate and lead my team and colleagues to get the job done. This is the first career/management book that I have actually learned from rather than just read. I have quoted from it to others in many different circumstances and will revisit it time and again. It really does have everything. The language is just at the right level and when something starts to go over your head, you know that you haven't got to the appropriate level yet and will be able to revisit that part when you get there. Perfectly laid out. If you are in my situation - second management role, both at the first line management level, who enjoys reading logical and sensible things and genuinely wants to learn and reach the top, and needs a book that will genuinely teach him what he needs to know to develop, then this book is a must.
November 12, 2014
I have read this book as a part of course for work. I enjoyed the first part of the book the best, maybe because it was most relevant, or maybe because it was the least abstract. In the first part - leading from the bottom - there were great advice, like bringing not only the problem on the table, but a solution as well etc. The second part - leading from the middle - consisted of very many abbreviations (3 P's, 5 O's, 27 B's etc....). And the third part - leading from the top- talked about different leading types and you have to decide long in advance which type you would like to end up being. The author is right in his words, that leadership is not something you learn from a book, but it helps to guide the random walk.
January 20, 2014
A very useful and practical guide that breaks down the common qualities in leaders. It provides clear and simple ideas to implement into your life to help you advance in any stage of leadership, emerging,middle management and senior levels. After completing my studies I will be implementing some great techniques that i have picked up from this guide especially on the qualities of emerging leaders that distinguish them from the rest, majority of them perhaps not in my early years but definitely in the future.
December 19, 2010
Management book of the Year? I think so. How many of those have I read chuckling out loud over the common sense observations about working life? I'll definitely be re-reading this in the years to come, whenever I think I'm struggling with motivating the team, or being positive, or wondering about leadership. This book, more than anything I've read, inspired in me a feeling that I might want to lead instead of follow.
August 4, 2014
Desde Leader Summaries recomendamos la lectura del libro Cómo liderar, de Jo Owen.
Las personas interesadas en las siguientes temáticas lo encontrarán práctico y útil: liderazgo, características de un buen líder.
En el siguiente enlace tienes el resumen del libro Cómo liderar, Habilidades necesarias para gestionar, liderar y tener éxito: Cómo liderar
Las personas interesadas en las siguientes temáticas lo encontrarán práctico y útil: liderazgo, características de un buen líder.
En el siguiente enlace tienes el resumen del libro Cómo liderar, Habilidades necesarias para gestionar, liderar y tener éxito: Cómo liderar
June 29, 2015
Very good, lots of details of "theory" vs "practice". In reality many times the theory of a thing is the complete opposite of the real world of it. That's why MBA's who have a brain full of knowledge in a book is the most annoying thing ever, and the person who has actually lived it is much more intelligent about something
January 5, 2016
Written in very clear and concise language, this book is a must for aspiring leaders.
It's full of practical tips and advice, often accompanied with an anecdote.
It covers the essentials superbly, including how to speak, read and write.
This is one of the few business books that is jargon-free and doesn't pretend to explain leadership with a simplistic theory.
It's full of practical tips and advice, often accompanied with an anecdote.
It covers the essentials superbly, including how to speak, read and write.
This is one of the few business books that is jargon-free and doesn't pretend to explain leadership with a simplistic theory.
February 20, 2016
Really good book about leadership. Author persuasively demystify myths about leadership and helps to build healthy understanding about what what it really takes to lead people by providing guidance and practical tools.
February 23, 2016
Easy to read book on leadership styles and different perspectives on leadership. A bit focused on traditional leadership where boss == leader and not so much on informal leadership. Covers areas of visionary aspects, people aspects and productivity aspects.
June 9, 2022
Probably, the vital parts of this book reminds me about the 3 levels of Leaderships which the middle level and the highest level of leadership, made me understand and prepare beforehand in making connections and managing the politics in organization.
November 4, 2009
Don't waste your time and money with this book.
March 25, 2011
A very handy and useful guide which can be applied to differing aspects of my profession.
I will be definitely be keeping this on the bookshelf for future reference.
I will be definitely be keeping this on the bookshelf for future reference.
October 28, 2012
THIS BOOK IS FOR ALL LEVELS OF MANAGMENT
November 12, 2013
I enjoyed it. Punchy, lots of bullet point driven sections so easy to grab and understand what's being explained. Only negative is that it's almost too much in one book.
February 11, 2014
Great book! Especially the start.
March 29, 2014
Some good bits, her and there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews