Can leadership books actually prepare people to lead?

CPO Tim Dickey — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 22:25:14 -0500

Here's an interesting read from consulting firm, McKinsey & Co.
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/leading_in_the_21st_century/Getting_beyond_the_BS_of_leadership_literature?cid=orgfuture-soc-lkn-mkq-mck-oth-1601&kui=QwDLv9gCVafi02QZrnyLPw

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 10:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 22:36:08 -0500

None of the boxes in the survey apply. They are helpful, but you cannot learn to lead from them alone. leadership is a trait learned thru experience and mentoring. I do think that practical training (leadership laboratory) helps because I have worked with Civil Air Patrol Cadets for many years and seen the cadets mature from shy and even immature people to effective leaders. I saw a young cadet at a CAP NCOS (leadership training for cadet NCOs) mature from a shy person who you could hardly give a drill command the beginning give an engaging speech on how to teach drill all over one weekend! It definitely can be learned--but just reading the book alone isnt enough, but very helpful once in a job where you are in the process of developing your leadership style!

Response by SGT Ronald Bacon made Jan 28 at 2016 10:51 PM

SGT Ronald Bacon — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 22:51:37 -0500

Yes but only in the way a math book can teach you to add... You can do it but it may not fit your style.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 28 at 2016 11:30 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 23:30:02 -0500

Thanks for sharing CPO Tim Dickey. I believe, after 33 years in the Army, and now in my next phase it was reinforced... That books (education) are part of the equation, but not the best or only answer; Experience matters too, if not more. I believe (and this has been more than reinforced in my current job) that leader (not management) development is actually done very well in the U.S. Military. Assuming one is physically and mentally capable of being a leader, the military provides those with the desire to lead, the training, education, and experience to be a good leader. Books, seminars, and college can't replace experiential learning. I believe you need the desire to lead, training, education, and experience. You and I could each write another book... CPO Tim Dickey

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:28 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 00:28:36 -0500

Any book you read regardless of the subject is simply to instill basic knowledge. You must then learn how to implement what you have learned into the subject. i.e. leadership, accounting, computers, etc.
This from a guy who reads on average a book a week.
I also learned more about farming from my Dad than I ever did from FFA.
LTC Steve Dolgin is correct when he said none of the boxes apply.

Response by MSG Wally Carmichael made Jan 29 at 2016 1:39 AM

MSG Wally Carmichael — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 01:39:38 -0500

Many great points and many similar and different experiences. Which is why I enjoy spending time with all of you.

Here's my input. Books and other didactic instruction can only inform and provide the fundamentals of leadership. "Leaders are readers" and what we read is biographies of other leaders, books written by leaders and books about our specific vocation/niche. Leaders then use what resinates with them and applies it to their leadership style.

We all seen those new "leaders" who come out of basic Officer or Noncommissioned Officer courses who believe they have it all figured out. They are pumped up and ready to lead. That is, until they face challenges and adversity. Then their level of maturity is realized by their peers and subordinates.

Here's where leaders are made. At this point is when mentorship comes into play. The senior leaders job is to observe the young leader and be ready to mentor and assist after the young leader struggles a bit at these points on their journey.

Based on my experience leadership seems to come natural to some as if they are born with it. However, they are actually born into it. "Natural born leaders" are actually born into situations that provides them with the experience, role models, and mentors early in their lives.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 29 at 2016 8:35 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:35:36 -0500

Yes but the efficacy is undoubtedly sporadic. A 2LT should be reading his TACSOP and not Carl Von Clausewitz.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 29 at 2016 9:02 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:02:24 -0500

We teach Theory and Application in the services. Books and Hands on. So to answer your question, yes books "Prepare" people to Lead, but Knowledge is only half the Battle. We grow that with experience (application) which provides additional context to the theory.

The theory is a guideline which is a 85% solution which is modified by 100s if not 1000s of additional circumstances. Experience teaches us how to deal with those circumstances. Things no singular book can convey. More books can convey more context, but so can more experiences... quicker.

It's a tradeoff in learning curves.

When first beginning, we are able to convey information MUCH faster through theoretical learning (book) than through practical application. Faster learning curve. However at a certain point that levels out. It then becomes MUCH faster to convey information the other way, through practical application. Then it becomes cyclic.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 10:01 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:01:26 -0500

Help ... that is all. Leadership is personality issue, that mean a change in personality is needed.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 10:16 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:16:13 -0500

No, in and of themselves, they cannot.

I once heard a much wiser person say that "Leadership" is equal parts experience, principle and luck...too much, or too little of any of the above will lead to failure.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 29 at 2016 10:51 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:51:30 -0500

The LT works on learning tactics. All generals should be studying how to fight insurgencies and preparing for the next war. Have you read The Dynamics of Military Revolution? It's not leadership but a sobering book on how nation can impair the military, or how other nations are ready to fight at the drop of a dime.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 3:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:15:36 -0500

I cannot actually say books will prepare you, it will however give you knowledge to. Most successful leaders aren't successful because they read a book, but they are because of the experience(s) they have gained by trial and error.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 3:27 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:27:20 -0500

Something has to prepare people to lead so books are certainly part of what prepares people to lead. But the trick is always executing what was prepared or planned.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Jan 30 at 2016 8:28 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 20:28:41 -0500

Anything in leadership books you read are tools. Just like a crescent wrench does you no good crimping wire - each too has an application. There is a difference in knowledge and wisdom.

Response by SPC(P) Micah Lavigne made Jan 31 at 2016 10:35 AM

SPC(P) Micah Lavigne — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:35:58 -0500

Leadership is developed by experience. These books give great insight but if you do not have experience as a follower then you cannot be an effective leader. Everyone else has this skill. But very few properly develop it. Actually applying what you learn, getting feedback and self assess your past successes and failures makes a better development plan than any book you would read.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 2:02 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:02:40 -0500

They can help shape your leadership style. But nothing replaces the actual role of leading. I'm in the thought pool that most leaders are born, not made. You either have what it takes to influence or you're fighting an uphill battle trying to change who you are if you do not. The military does have a way of pressuring the leadership qualities out of people more so than any other institution. I will say that.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jan 31 at 2016 6:35 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:35:40 -0500

Crazy George Patton said: "Tell someone what to do but not how to do it and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

Why could a person not learn from that?

Walt

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 11:38 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:38:32 -0500

Interesting read, but the survey question is kind of like asking if reading a book on any subject can give you what you need to perform that task. In a perfect world with ideal circumstances, I think you would certainly be better off having read this than not ... but true leaders have some base characteristics (empathy, optimism, vision) that along with positive role models and maturity are, I believe, a bigger part of what define their success.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Apr 13 at 2017 8:24 PM

CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:24:31 -0400

No, only you can prepare yourself to lead...leadership books provide guidelines and suggestions; you must develop your skill, learn from your mistakes, learn from good leaders, accept leadership is an acquired skill, and realize the leadership you demonstrate comes from within; not from books.