Quest for Exceptional Leadership: Mirage to Reality outlines the emergence of a new fifth phase of human enterprise that is redefining the criteria of success as well as re-configuring the routes to success. The author analyses the changing paradigms and provides a down-to-earth, realistic blueprint to acquire the relevant leadership traits. Corporations do not have the option to wait; they have to re-align themselves with the new reality – now. The author makes a compelling case that those who embrace the new realism will achieve sustained profitability for their companies and ‘Triple Top Line’ of joy, peace, and contentment in their personal lives.

Leadership is an age-old concept, one that has guided the destinies of nations, organizations, and individuals alike. It's the beacon that has illuminated the path to progress, the driving force behind great achievements, and the linchpin holding together teams and communities. Effective leadership is the catalyst for growth and innovation, the cornerstone of success. It is the art of inspiring and guiding others towards a common vision, and it's as relevant today as it has ever been. In this introduction, we will embark on a journey to explore the multifaceted world of leadership, uncovering its essence and the fundamental principles that underpin it. We will dive deep into the critical components of effective leadership, drawing from a rich tapestry of real-world examples, case studies, and the wisdom of thought leaders. The Unending Relevance of Leadership Leadership is not a fad that comes and goes with the tides of time. It is an enduring concept, ever-relevant, and ever-necessary. Whether we look at historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, or Nelson Mandela, who led nations to freedom and equality, or contemporary business leaders like Elon Musk and Sheryl Sandberg, who drive innovation and change the world, the influence of leadership is omnipresent. In today's rapidly evolving world, leadership is not a static concept; it adapts and transforms with the challenges and opportunities of the times. It is agile, versatile, and indispensable. In an era defined by technological disruption, global interconnectedness, and fast-paced change, the demand for effective leadership has never been greater. We face complex problems and global crises that require astute guidance, creative problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. In this context, leadership emerges as a beacon of hope and progress. The Leadership Landscape The leadership landscape is diverse and rich, characterized by a myriad of styles and approaches. From autocratic leadership to servant leadership, from transformational leadership to situational leadership, there is no one-size-fits-all model of leadership. Effective leaders are chameleons, capable of adapting their style to suit the needs and dynamics of their teams and organizations. One prevailing concept that has gained prominence in recent years is the idea of "Radical Candor." Radical Candor advocates for a leadership approach that combines caring personally about your team members with the willingness to challenge them directly. It's a framework that promotes open and honest communication as the foundation for trust and growth. The Leader's Role: Inspire and Motivate A cornerstone of effective leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate. Leaders do not merely manage; they ignite the fires of enthusiasm, vision, and purpose in those they lead. Whether it's a coach rallying a sports team for victory, a CEO charting the course for a multinational corporation, or a teacher nurturing the potential of young minds, the art of inspiration and motivation is universal. To be an effective leader means to be a source of positive influence. It means setting an example, demonstrating commitment, and fostering an environment where others can thrive. A leader is a torchbearer of values and principles, and their actions resonate with those they lead. SMART Goals and Relationship Building Effective leaders are goal-oriented. They understand the importance of setting clear, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. SMART goals serve as beacons, guiding the way forward, and they provide a metric for measuring progress. Furthermore, these leaders recognize that achieving SMART goals is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative one. Relationship building is the mortar that holds the bricks of goals together. It's the human connection, trust, and understanding that transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing team. Effective leaders recognize the power of interpersonal relationships, and they invest time and energy in building strong bonds with their team members. Leader Qualities: Integrity, Adaptability, Honesty, and Commitment Leadership is not just about the position or title one holds; it's about the qualities one embodies. Leaders who command respect and admiration possess qualities such as integrity, adaptability, honesty, and unwavering commitment. Integrity is the bedrock of trust. Effective leaders follow through on promises and act ethically in all situations. They are consistent in their values and actions, establishing a foundation of trust that their teams can rely on. Adaptability is a mark of a great leader. In a world of uncertainty and change, the ability to pivot, innovate, and thrive in new circumstances is paramount. Great leaders embrace change as an opportunity for growth and lead their teams through transitions with resilience and grace. Honesty is the currency of credibility. Leaders who are candid and transparent earn the trust and respect of their team members. They communicate openly, even in difficult situations, and this honesty fosters a culture of transparency and accountability. Commitment is the driving force behind any significant achievement. Leaders set objectives and demonstrate unwavering dedication to their realization. Their commitment is infectious, motivating their teams to strive for excellence. The Art of Managing Performance Effectively Leadership is not merely about setting a vision; it's about execution and performance management. Effective leaders understand that managing performance is a multifaceted process that begins with dialogue and ends with growth. This is where the concept of Radical Candor comes into play. Leaders who care personally about their team members and challenge them directly set the stage for performance improvement. By asking team members what they believe should be improved, showing them areas of opportunity, explaining the "why" behind improvements, and setting SMART goals while offering support, leaders create a nurturing yet accountable environment where individuals can thrive.

Leaders are made, not born. Getting Connected Through Exceptional Leadership shows how you can be a leader of men. Synopsis Management does not equate leadership. Far from it. The difference is the organizational action that changes companies from struggling enterprises to dominant market leaders. This handbook will show you in simple yet often irreverent ways how to transcend ordinary, stake management practices and master the art of connecting with others through extraordinary leadership skill. Key to this connection is leadership communication, creating the proper environment and change culture, and demonstrating winning leadership style. In Getting Connected Through Exceptional Leadership, you’ll discover: The 3 primary rules of leadership communications How to manage expectations during important projects. The 2 show-stopping barriers to organizational change. How to motivate others to want to continually improve performance. 6 ways to communicate a vision that generates action. How to run meetings, reprimand employees, and take control of your life as a leader!

This book is about values and principles that have formed the backbone of the exceptionality of America. These values and principles have shaped the way leadership in America has evolved and prescribed the way leaders have practiced their craft. It is about what both leaders and their followers implicitly know about what a good leader is and does and about why they follow one leader and not another. The book is about how leaders in all facets of society think—or should think—about their interrelationships with other human beings. For relationships is the essence of leadership. We can only lead those in some kind of association with us as. Only together can we do whatever task the leader of our particular organization asks of us today and every day of our lives. This is true not just at work, but in the family, our collective social and recreational pursuits, and even when alone doing something we want to get done. Because all we do ultimately will impact our attitudes and actions or those of others. For that finally is what leadership is—impact on another! This book identifies the values and principles of leadership the founding leaders identified and used and that have marked American culture for over two centuries in all dimensions of life. It defines and delimits the actions and attitudes of mind of the exceptional leaders who first articulated and then led in terms of those values as they made America. The ideas about exceptional leadership discussed are taken from their own leadership example and from their thoughtful conclusions. The ideas are fully American. These first leaders drew up the blueprint for what America is and has become. Their creation has survived countless challenges over the two hundred years of its creation to become the United States of America.

This collection of stories, examples and narratives about exceptional leadership by design provides tangible, examples of how the design process can be applied to leadership practice. It uses evidence-based organizational, behavioral, and leadership science to inform a framework that will equip leaders and organizations to be more effective.

“Alex Ihama has done a superb job of digging deep into the existential aspects of leadership while simultaneously staying pragmatic in his approach and application.” – Dr. Sam Chand; Author, Leadership Pain; Georgia, USA. “This book is heaven’s voice of legacy that has the power to create a history that will resonate a sound for true preservation.” – R. Pepe Ramnath, PhD; Author, The Genetics of Vision; Florida, USA. “This combination of wisdom and insight from Dr. Myles Munroe and Alex Ihama will greatly enhance your leadership potential.” – Pastor Sunday Adelaja, Pastor, Embassy of God, Kiev, Ukraine. “Alex Ihama’s approach is effectively a deconstruction of traditional, classic definitions and models of leadership, and offers fresh ideas, observations, insights and questions.” – Dr. Bruce Cook, Chairman, Kingdom Congressional International Alliance; Washington DC, USA. “This is a culmination of experience, theory and practice, coming together to yield a master key to unlock the timeless secrets of the world’s greatest leaders”. – Professor Iyorwuese Hagher; Executive Director, African Leadership Institute; Ohio, USA. “This work appeals to the construct of so many minds-that of the philosopher, the psychologist, the sociologist, the businessman, the clergy and the academician.” - Dr. CB Peter Morgan; President, International Third World Leadership Association; Nassau, Bahamas.

This expanded and thoroughly updated edition of the popular anthology assembles the best book excerpts, articles, and reports that define and drive the field of educational leadership today. Filled with critical insights from respected authors, education researchers, and expert practitioners, this comprehensive volume features twenty-six chapters in six primary areas of interest: Principles of Leadership, Moral Leadership, Culture and Change, Standards and Systems, Diversity and Leadership, and the Future of Leadership.

Vell Executive Search, a Boston-based executive search firm, has released its latest report. Titled "Women Board Members in Tech Companies: Strategies for Building High Performing Diverse Boards," the report offers an in-depth look at the topic and recommendations for creating greater diversity. "We studied 581 public technology companies in the U.S. and Canada with at least $100 million in revenues. What we found in many ways is encouraging: large public tech companies are embracing women on their boards," said Dora Vell, CEO of Vell Executive Search. "But there is still room for growth, especially in smaller companies." According to the report, 411 companies have at least one woman on their board, with 30% having none and 36% only one. Less than 12% have three or more women on their boards, the minimum number required to correlate with greater company performance. "The smaller the company, the fewer women board members," Vell said. "In companies with revenues of $100 million to $500 million, women hold 216 board seats out of a total of 1880. Nearly all companies with revenues over $5 billion have at least one woman board member." The latest Vell report looks at three key company factors: revenues, sectors and insiders. The report also looks at characteristics women directors possess that drive one or more board invites, board leadership roles and membership in the 20 largest companies. Ultimately, the Vell report concludes the tech industry must look at the entire ecosystem—not just the largest companies—to drive greater gender balance on boards. Closing the gap, Vell said, is no longer just a matter of breaking through a glass ceiling, but opening doors for women to gain experience in smaller companies. Vell offers strategic recommendations for overcoming the challenges and helping tech companies diversify their boards. These include drastically extending the succession planning timeline, training high potential executives internally with governance matters, and seeding the ecosystem by assisting smaller companies to identify outstanding diverse talent.

The Routledge Critical Companion to Leadership Studies offers a rich and insightful overview of critical leadership studies for students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners. The volume draws together 35 chapters from 56 authors who represent the vibrant diversity of the critical leadership community. It includes chapters from emerging and preeminent scholars who share an interest in directing leadership theorizing, development and practice toward the aims of liberation, justice, and equity. The Companion is organized into six themes: (1) philosophical perspectives on leadership; (2) processes, practices, and power dynamics in leadership; (3) diversity and leadership; (4) leadership education and development; (5) lessons from the dark side of leadership; and (6) reimagining leadership and leadership studies. The book has been curated to serve as a "go to" resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic staff, and researchers seeking to understand the current state of play on a given topic, as well as inspiration for how they might contribute to its development. Each chapter provides a comprehensive yet succinct review of contemporary literature and offers the reader avenues for future research. Leadership practitioners will also find provocative ideas among these pages to help them interrogate and transform the ways they lead.

Eminently readible, current, and comprhensive, this acclaimed text sets the standard for instruction in