LEADERSHIP IS DOING

This brief debut guide features 44 leadership axioms.

Newman’s basic premise is centered on the notion that “people often fear doing” but “doing begets leadership.” It’s a refreshing way of looking at leadership that differentiates the work from the countless books in this category. The author’s execution is also a bit unusual. This is a volume of vignettes—some as short as a few paragraphs—many of which are taken from Newman’s own relationships and experiences as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for the South Region of New York. Each vignette serves as an example of an axiom. For instance, a story about the author’s own mentor illustrates Axiom No. 7, “The Value of the Mentor/Protégé Relationship,” while Newman’s observations about the Army’s “communication standards” support Axiom No. 22, “Leaders Have Excellent Communication Skills.” In general, the concept works well. For the most part, the axioms are meaningful and the vignettes are appropriate. Still, the 44 axioms seem to be randomly organized; there are no categories or central themes to relate one to another. In addition, some of the axioms really aren’t axioms at all. For example, Axiom No. 26 (“Veterans Hospitals Strive To Heal People”) and Axiom No. 27 (“Veterans Moving Forward—A Wonderful Organization Committed to Creating Better Lives for Disabled Veterans”) seem out of place. They break from the parallel structure of the other axioms and are more about the actions, albeit noble ones, of organizations. Other axioms appear repetitive. There is little appreciable difference among Axiom No. 8 (“Leaders Inspire Others”), Axiom No. 10 (“Leaders Inspire”), and Axiom No. 14 (“Leaders Help Others Do Better”). That said, this slim volume does have merit: It aims to identify important leadership traits and lends a novel perspective, primarily because it is drawn from the military rather than the business world. Newman’s respect for honesty and integrity is apparent in her writing, and her observations are worthwhile. In one axiom, she notes: “Doing the correct thing takes courage, extra energy, perseverance, risk taking and a fundamental belief that ‘right is right.’ ”

A leadership manual that’s light on content but leaves a lasting impression.