We are 26 business consultants who have authored more than 30 books on leadership. We have worked to develop leaders in business organizations – both large and small – as well as in not for profit and government agencies. Here are three things we know about great leaders:
Leaders Inspire. They communicate a vision so compelling we want to help make it happen.
Leaders Listen. They seek to understand diverse viewpoints and alternative opinions before making a decision.
Leaders Hire Talent. They bring the best people together to build their team.
Senator Barack Obama demonstrates superior leadership in all of these areas. He has inspired millions to engage in his candidacy and laid out compelling visions for energy independence in 10 years and comprehensive health care reform. Obama has inspired us to believe we can achieve more than we once thought possible.
Senator Obama has evidenced, throughout his political career, a value for collaboration and inclusion. He has sought new ideas and shown us that he will avoid decisions based upon ideology…facts and principles are what guide him.
Jack Welch said in his leadership book, Winning, “nothing matters more in winning than getting the right people on the field.” Senator Obama has chosen a talented, knowledgeable, and experienced running mate who will be an exceptional teammate and could step in at a moment’s notice and lead this country.
Because he clearly shows what we know to be the characteristics of a great leader, we support Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.
Sincerely,
Marilee Adams, David Axelrod, Dick Axelrod, Emily Axelrod, Howard Behar, Noah Blumenthal, Alan Briskin, Juanita Brown, Joan Cantwell, Ira Chaleff, Vicki Halsey, Sally Helgesen, Cheryl Jacobs, Jake Jacobs, Amy Lenzo, Stewart Levine, Doris Popovich, Dennis Reina, Michelle Reina, Joann Ricci, Dana Robinson, Jim Robinson, Myron Rogers, Jamie Showkeir, Maren Showkeir, Roberto Vargas, Meg Wheatley, Helen Wong
Our books on business and leadership include:
The Art of Followership, Authentic Conversations, The Book of Agreement, Change Your Questions Change Your Life, Collaboration 2.0, The Conference Model, The Courageous Follower, Everyday Revolutionaries, Family Activism, The Female Advantage, Finding Our Way, Getting to Resolution, The Hamster Revolution, It’s Not About the Coffee, Leadership and the New Science, Moving From Training to Performance, Performance Consulting, Real-Time Strategic Change, A Simpler Way, The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace, Strategic Business Partner, Terms of Engagement, Thriving in 24/7, Training For Impact, Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace, Turning to One Another, The Web of Inclusion, Wildcatters, The World Cafe, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone, You’re Addicted to You, Zap the Gaps!, 21 Peaceful Nurses
Other Authors
If you are an author and wish to add your name to our list, please comment below with your name and book title.
October 11, 2008 at 11:37 pm |
Obama listens before he decides. Unlike the Bush League or for that matter the Palin-drone, Obama does not show up with his position fixed. He prefers to lead the country, not just a partisan faction. To be a leader is to harmonize diverse views and find approachs that bring the greatest good to the greatest number. For 8 years the greatest number has been Old Number One. That’s what gave us the economic crisis. Well, that and the defanging of government, and the greed of some mostly Republican fat-cats. The time for me-first partisanship is over. Hear that, Nancy Pelosi?
My novel is No Outward Sign, about a cyber attack on the US. I’m writing a How To book on skills that geeks need to survive in business. Hink to geeks: behave like Obama, not like McCain or (God forbid) Sarah the Vindictive.
October 13, 2008 at 1:09 am |
Author of: PEGGY SEEGER SONGBOOK, 40 YEARS OF SONGMAKING (Oak Publications)
My book is a collection of topical and political commentary spanning the years 1958-1998. The songs support optimism and justice. They deal with gender issues, racism, disenfranchisement, ecology. destructive conservative governments, individual struggles to keep afloat, the human condition: all, in the end, can be reduced to one or another kind of love. The songs have choruses that everyone can sing and do not need large instrumental ensembles to make them effective. They can be sung by one – or many.
Obama’s campaign reminds me of Nelson Mandela’s ‘8 Lessons of Leadership’:
1. Courage is not the absence of fear – it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front – but don’tleave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy – and learn about his/her favourite sport.
5. Keep your friends close – and your rivals even closer.
6. Appearances matter – and remember to smile.
7. Nothing is black or white.
8. Quitting is leading too.
Obama is my candidate of choice – he has been so right from the start. He has run his campaign like a guerrilla war, depending on support and donations from grassroots. He could have been the originator of the old catch-phrase: “By his friends ye shall know him.” Further on from that, one could say, “By the creative outburst of creativity and hope that he has inspired, also shall ye know him”, for the popular explosion in the arts and local politics, songs that speak of change for the better, supportive visual arts from people of all colour, are unprecedented in recent US presidential elections. I have great hopes for, and confidence in, his presidency.
October 14, 2008 at 3:17 pm |
Co-author of Book: 21 Peaceful Nurses; Essays on a Spiritually Guided Practice
by Joan Cantwell and Doris Popovich
21 Peaceful Nurses ;Essays on a Spiritually Guided Practice is an anthology of essays written by nurses on the topic of spiritual fitness for a balanced nursing practice. These essays are poignant snapshots into the hearts and minds of today’s successful practitioners.
The book is guaranteed to be a source of hope and inspiration, a way of honoring the spiritual paths of nurses practicing peace in the workplace.
Obama is my candidate. He has the leadership skills and creativity to mobilize people and organizations in making the fundamental changes we will need to assure fair access for all people to health care. He is committed to make “Health Insurance Work for People and Businesses – Not Just Insurance and Drug Companies.” The Obama-Biden plan will promote public health. It will require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings, and increase state and local preparedness for natural disasters
October 15, 2008 at 2:53 am |
Girls who fold origami for OBAMA!
October 15, 2008 at 12:45 pm |
Author, Mentor Me: A Guide to Being Your Own Best Advocate in the Workplace
Obama has the flexibility and wisdom to lead a fractured country and the class to restore our reputation overseas. I have been canvassing for his campaign and am encouraged by those who support him, but still worried about the outcome. I pray that wisdom triumphs over parochialism, and hope over fear.
October 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm |
Author: YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF: BE YOURSELF AT WORK
In all the years I’ve been following politics in one form or another, I’ve rarely had a sebse that a politician was being his or her “Authentic Self.” Obama is the great exception to that. He is exactly what this country needs at precisely this point in time to bring us back to ourselves from the journey to the place of angered posturing we’ve been on the last eight years.