This article suggests three main reasons to read Leading Matters by John Hennessy, the tenth president of Stanford University. In addition to being a quick read at only 157 pages, the book is packed with stories of how the author overcame challenges and his own insecurities. Furthermore, it reveals traits that became significant along the way. I believe that anyone destined to make a difference will benefit from reading the book.
3 main reasons
- Get information about leadership and why it’s important.
What was made abundantly clear early on was that the writer was not looking for leadership roles; they searched for it. As a result of pursuing his passion (teaching and research), he developed a business leadership position. He was a co-founder of MIPS Computer Systems and Atheros Communications.
Simply put, leaders are needed to guide various causes, leaders are needed to steer the course through storms, and leaders are needed to keep traditions alive and flourishing. Hennessy, for example, launched the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program to develop global leaders. Today it is the largest fully endowed postgraduate scholarship program in the world.
With that said, the author offered some good advice for readers:
1) Don’t obsess over titles and keys. When you keep first things first, the above mentioned comes. However, we all know people who do the exact opposite.
2) Be prepared to serve; In short, leadership is service.
3) As a leader, you need others. You are not the lone soldier.
4) Use the mission as your anchor in difficult times.
- You detect the meaning of the traits.
What I enjoyed the most was learning how the features were strengthened through different challenges and opportunities. For example, Mr. Hennessy never planned to start a company. However, he needed courage, collaboration and teamwork to bring to life what was born in the classroom.
By the way, he believes that necessary traits for leaders include humility, authenticity and trust, servant leadership, empathy, courage, collaboration and teamwork, innovation, intellectual curiosity, and storytelling. stories. The presentation of each one is simple. Also, you gain benefits and a deeper appreciation by watching the feature being applied.
- You get resources for personal and/or professional development.
In addition to gaining insight into leadership, the author brings you some of his favorite books. At the end of the book, he will find several lists of books classified by subject. Like him, you can use them for your personal or professional development.
