The Seven Faces of Leadership

What qualities and talents do you need to lead and transform an organization? In this comprehensive view of transformational leadership, the author argues that successful leaders focus on developing a clear set of values, purpose, and meaning for their organization. They identify an inspiring vision and set direction for the future. And they build a culture and community that supports and strengthens the rapid development and implementation of effective strategy.

To address these challenges, the leader adopts seven distinct leadership roles:

The purposeful leader (reinforces purpose and the meaning of work)

The visionary leader (enunciates an inspiring vision and sense of direction)

The strategic leader (devises a set of strategies to realize the vision)

The beneficent leader (builds a strong and committed community)

The adaptive leader (masters the art of initiating and managing change)

The guiding leader (coaches others so they can assume leadership roles)

The virtuous leader (embodies the personal qualities needed for success? character, creativity, and compassion)

The author demonstrates that we judge leaders best on their legacy: an organization that performs well over time. Leaders who stress short-term economic performance will not meet this standard. In fact, the great leaders build their legacy by looking beyond economics to also consider the needs of all the organization's stakeholders. Such leaders emerge when a motivated individual with the appropriate skills and virtues encounters or creates a challenging situation.

The Seven Faces of Leadership combines theory and practical tools to help aspiring leaders achieve better results during challenging times of change.