A Book Review

On

By Manu Arora

About the Book

Title: Not Bosses But Leaders Author: John Adair Publisher: Kogan Page India Pvt. Ltd. Edition : Third Publishing Year: 2009 Number of Pages: 172

About the Author

John Adair is one of the worlds leading authorities on leadership and leadership development.
He served as a platoon commander in the Scots Guards in Egypt, and then became the only national serviceman to serve in the Arab Legion. He was senior lecturer in military history and adviser in leadership training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 1979 John became the worlds first Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Surrey. John has written over 40 books,

What do you think makes a leader?

The ability to influence others to

achieve a common goal

Approach to Leadership
Leadership

Qualitative

Situational

Functional

Qualitative Vs Situational
Apparently little or no agreement on the required leadership qualities
Associated with the view that leaders are born not made

Leadership qualities can be developed, some more than others - by practice and experience
No such thing as a born leader; it all depends on the situation

Leadership specific to a particular situation Sounds more democratic

Hallmarks of good leaders

Integrity Enthusiasm

Makes peoples trust you. Personal wholeness Truth Generic characteristics

Warmth
Calmness Tough but Fair

Warm personality infectious

Reason, Calm judgment Demanding and Fairness

Three Needs

Task

Team

Individual

Individual motivation Needs

No necessary progression from one level to another

The Circle Interacts

Task Task Task

Team Team Team

Individual Individual Individual

Leadership functions
Setting Objectives- define objectives that are agreed upon

Planning- Knowing where to go

Communicating- Clearly the Plan and Objectives

Organizing- Breifing, Delegating,Coaching,Supervising etc

Monitoring and Evaluation- Measures, performance
Targets and indicators

Sharing Decision Continuum

3 Stages toward leadership

Awareness becoming aware of the three areas of need in a group or organization; sensing their interactions Understanding knowing which function is required at a given Skill being able to perform the function with economy and effectiveness

Important Learnings
There is no one right style. A leader shall be ready to play the role of coach and guide whenever the team is failing. Leadership and change goes hand in hand unlike the managerial role like running an organization which is more or less remains procedural. Leadership is about building teams, giving directions and inspiring others by action and word.

Management that resist change will never inspire anyone.

Important Learnings

Effectiveness in three roles of Leader, Subordinate and Colleague is goal. Try to delegate, it increases the authority and reinforces it. Respect the chain of command, Information might reach you directly but instruction shall flow back through your managers.

To lead, show willingness to live like them, wearing same clothes eating same food, sharing same hardship helps.

My Opinion
The way to effectively hone your leadership skills Can be referred to handle any complex situation effectively The book does not tell you how to but tells you what to do

Who Should Read this Book

Any one in managerial Role.

Any one working in a group

Any one who would want to improvise his leadership skill

Thank you