BRIGHTEN YOUR LEADERSHIP LIGHT

A guide offers managers and executives advice on how to assess and improve their leadership skills.

In short chapters that begin with literary quotations and conclude with carefully worded prompts for either discussion or introspection, Hassenstab’s book provides a series of reflections on how leaders in all capacities can heighten the empathy and effectiveness they use in shaping policy and delivering direction. The world needs the light of such leadership, he asserts. Companies require leaders “driven to empower the human spirit in their teams to have a passion for getting great results to help drive the success of their organization.” He looks at various elements of leadership using a combination of personal experiences and Christian-themed ruminations. The author’s insights and suggestions are suffused from start to finish with a wonderfully communicative sense of Christian optimism. Despite the leadership emphasis of his book, he reminds his readers at every turn that careers and businesses are not the be-all and end-all of life. Gently but firmly, he tells his overworked readers that “your job should not be the only or even the primary source of pride, happiness, and the legacy you want to build.” Those readers should smile but be wary because sometimes this very optimism overcomes Hassenstab’s common sense and hard-won experience. One of his interaction prompts stands as an example: “What landmines have you buried in your organization?” he asks at one point. “Meaning, what are the unwritten policies, values, and rules you have created? If you say you have none, think again—harder.” He must understand what his readers already know: that the leaders who make the land mines almost never acknowledge them—and so this and other tips should be regarded with a bit of caution. But in general, the author’s lucid observations are refreshing reminders to leaders to work on brightening their lights and refining their management techniques.

A readable and compassionate series of encouragements for ambitious leaders.