Preview

True North Book Review

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1803 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
True North Book Review
Destiny, with credit to Professor Nettifee brought the book True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership into my life and I want to bring it into the lives of others. More specifically those who may believe they weren’t born with the characteristics or traits to become a leader or those who have not found their passion or purpose in life; their “True North.” The book, written by Bill George and co-author Peter Sims, compiles a series of interviews with 125 managers from Howard Schultz of Starbuck’s to Dan Vasella of Novartis. The interviewees guide readers through their journey to become the leaders they are today; discussing their failures, successes, obstacles, personal tragedies and triumphs. The stories of each manager prove the True North’s thesis, which is no one person is born a leader and there isn’t one path to becoming a leader. The book is separated into three sections: 1) Leadership is a Journey 2) Discover Your Authentic Leadership 3) Empowering People to Lead. Before giving overviews of each section, it is important to define an authentic leader.
To become an authentic leader means to bring “people together around a shared purpose and empowers them to step up and lead authentically in order to create values for all stakeholders,” (xxxi). Bill George has identified the following five dimensions every authentic leader should encompass:
1. Pursuing purpose with passion
2. Practicing solid values
3. Leading with heart
4. Establishing enduring relationships
5. Demonstrating self-discipline.
Part I: Leadership is a Journey
The Journey to Authentic Leadership
After Bill George and Peter Sims interviewed all 125 managers, they found a common thread throughout each of their interviews: their life stories impacted their passion to lead. After experiencing “personal illness or the illness of a family member; death of a parent or sibling; or feelings of being excluded, discriminated against or rejected by peers,” they all were inspired and motivated
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    True North, by Margaret Atwood Summary
    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages

    True North, by Margaret Atwood Summary

    Margaret Atwood, in her short essay “True North,” wants her readers to come away after reading her essay understanding that things have drastically changed from how they used to be and how they are now. Atwood begins to capture her audience’s attention first by reminiscing and recalling her childhood memories of how it used to be in the “old days” in “The North.” “The North,” as she refers to it in her essay, is more commonly known to us as Canada. Atwood then refers to the United States as “The South.” She begins to describe to her audience of how her childhood summers began with traveling through to “the north”, from “the south.” As she recalls her travels she precisely depicts the vastness of how Canada once was a more barren realm inhabited by people with far different views and lifestyles than those of American citizens. Atwood is brought to this mindset of dwelling upon her past because of her current job as a teacher in a college located in Alabama, where she was teaching, ironically enough, Canadian Literature. She rambles through her memories as if they were yesterday and she remembers the various entry points that could be used to enter into Canada and the many small, one industry dependent, folksy, towns she would go through once in Canada. Atwood then goes on to tell the reader about the times when she would take her kids to Canada and they would stay and swim in the lake when there were no boats zooming by in the water and gawk at supposedly “old” trinkets. One of the things that her children marvel over is an old metal icebox. This makes Margaret begin to think about the other things that they used to believe were brand new wonders of their day. As soon as she reflects on this thought she has a revelation. Everything from when she was a young child is now, in fact, changed and has become “old” and she wonders what the future generations will look back on from her present time and classify as some old artifact of amazement from back in the day. She…

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Buad 304
    • 3995 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Buad 304

    Understanding what leadership is all about and what is involved in becoming a successful leader in today’s business organizations.…

    • 3995 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Authentic Leadership
    • 2723 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Authentic Leadership

    HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHENTIC LEADER Introduction to Authentic Leadership Webster’s Dictionary defines authenticity as being genuine…

    • 2723 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Module 1 SLP; Review Education pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society
    • 904 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Module 1 SLP; Review Education pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society

    References: George, B. & Sims, P. (2007). True North, Discover Your Authentic Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.…

    • 904 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Authentic Leadership: Hitler, Paul Pot And Attila The Hun
    • 1929 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Authentic Leadership: Hitler, Paul Pot And Attila The Hun

    Authentic leadership, being in its beginning stages of a full blossoming into the economic structures of human physical reality, is hindered in its growth by one prime obstacle.…

    • 1929 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    W. L. Gore: Executive Summary
    • 3406 Words
    • 14 Pages

    W. L. Gore: Executive Summary

    Leadership in an organisation is very tough job, it is merely not an job but an task to solve the problem, to set the example to the employee or followers as well motivating the people to achieve goals and objective of the organisation. As per (L.Mullins 2010) it is the charm or extra quality…

    • 3406 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Jim Collins: Servant Leadership Analysis
    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Jim Collins: Servant Leadership Analysis

    Authentic leadership deals partly with the relationship with oneself as a leader. Following and relying on one’s own instincts and judgements to lead others and do what is best for an organization. Luthans and Avolio (2003) as mentioned by Northouse, provided traits that may influence a leader to become an authentic leader; “confidence, hope, optimism and resilience” (p.265). At some time, I think we all have had a leader that did not possess most of these. If more leaders embodied these attributes or strived to have more, organization would be better off. Northouse likened authentic leaders with servant leaders and transformational leader as well; styles that emphases doing the right thing (Northhouse 2013, p.268). Authentic leaders need to be true to themselves and act in the best interest of the ones they lead. Their concern is not with how prestigious they are or that they are the most important person in an organization, but the job is done correctly and the business benefits from their…

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Annotated Bibliography: Meeting The Ethical Challenges Of Leadership
    • 1567 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Annotated Bibliography: Meeting The Ethical Challenges Of Leadership

    Leadership is present in our everyday lives and involves influence on a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 2010). It is a part of everyone and varies from individuals leading their families or leading an organization. Johnson (2012) uses the metaphor of light and shadow to dramatize the differences between moral and immoral leaders. There are toxic leaders that I have unfortunately been around and those experiences have led me to base my leadership style on morals and ethics. According to The Leadership Styles Workbook from Mindtools.com, it is important to adopt and use one of the leadership styles that best suits your personality in order to become a successful leader (2009). Aside from having certain…

    • 1567 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Leadership Self-Analysis Theory
    • 3878 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Leadership Self-Analysis Theory

    Leadership is a term that can sometimes be casually tossed around without understanding what it truly entails. Leadership can be viewed as the person, a particular position, the influence a leader has on others, or by observable results (Banks & Ledbetter, 2003, p. 16). More than ever before, I feel as though the term leadership is becoming a focus in Churches, schools, corporations, organizations, government sectors, clubs, and teams. Why? People desire leaders to forester change, create efficient, encourage unity, and produce excellence. Leadership is a vast and powerful word that requires sacrifice, integrity,…

    • 3878 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Authentic Leadership: Martin Luther King Jr.
    • 226 Words
    • 1 Page

    Examples Of Authentic Leadership: Martin Luther King Jr.

    The textbook defines authentic leadership as “grounded in the principle found in the familiar adage to thine own self to be true” (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, p. 165). Authentic leadership is leadership that focuses on establishing a leader’s sincerity through honest relationship with supporters which value their input which is built on an ethical foundation. This leadership put emphases…

    • 226 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Starbucks Management and Leadership
    • 1829 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Starbucks Management and Leadership

    In the current business climate, it is often considered that the term “leader” is synonymous with the term “manager,” but the two could not be more different. “Outstanding leaders combine good strategic substance and effective interpersonal processes to formulate and implement strategies that produce results and sustainable competitive advantage. They may launch enterprises, build organization cultures, win wars, or otherwise change the course of events. They are strategists who seize opportunities others overlook, but they are also passionately concerned with detail-all the small, fundamental realities that can make or mar the grandest of plans” (Bateman & Snell, 2009, p. 434). Leaders, some say, are born. However, in business today, leaders, with the…

    • 1829 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Authentic Leadership Case Study
    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Authentic Leadership Case Study

    Define Authentic Leadership: provide a clear definition of authentic leadership. Include examples from your life experiences where you have encountered an authentic leader. Provide examples of how authentic leadership creates a healthy work environment. (20 points)…

    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Being an Authentic Leader
    • 5193 Words
    • 21 Pages

    Being an Authentic Leader

    You must devote yourself to a lifetime of commitment and dedication in developing yourself. First and most important, we find all of our authentic leaders that were interviewed have drawn upon lessons that they have learned throughout their lives. A true authentic leader frames his or her life stories in ways that allows them to see themselves not passive observers of their lives but rather as individuals who can develop self-awareness from their experiences. Authentic leaders act on that awareness by practicing their values and principles. They are careful to balance their motivations so that they are driven by their inner values as much as by a desire for external rewards or recognition as well. (165)…

    • 5193 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Developing Authentic Leadership
    • 1477 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Developing Authentic Leadership

    and disillusioned with corporate leaders. A recent global survey by Kenexa® reports that only 38 percent of employees rate their leaders as effective. This is a shocking statistic that paints a bleak picture of leaders. However, it is even more worrying when our research also shows that employee engagement is actually five times higher for those employees who believe their leaders are effective, compared to those who say they follow neutral or ineffective leaders. This loss of faith in contemporary leaders has propelled researchers and practitioners to take a fresh look at the state of leadership theory and development, bringing about a renewed interest in the concept of authentic leadership. In the quest for authentic leaders, Bill George (2003), a former corporate head himself, issued a statement: “Wanted—authentic leaders...we need leaders who lead with purpose, values and integrity; leaders who build enduring organizations, motivate their employees to provide superior customer service and create long-term value for shareholders.” Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones started in 2001 by asking executives a single question, “Why should anyone be led by you?” This simple question without fail silenced rooms of executives, however, it started a fascinating debate and research into authentic leadership. To us, business is personal • www.kenexa.com So what is authentic leadership? Despite the fact that the concept of authenticity can be traced back to ancient Greece where being authentic meant “to thine own self be true,” the theoretical treatment of authenticity in the context of leadership is relatively new and still in development. The first theoretical model was proposed in 2003, by Luthans and Avolio, who defined authentic leadership as “A process…

    • 1477 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Authentic Leadership
    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Authentic Leadership

    Authentic leadership is the practice of building trust through honesty, transparency, and self-awareness. Authentic leaders have strong values and always consider the ethical and moral consequences of their actions. Furthermore, they carefully weigh options and others’ viewpoints before making decisions (Regan, Laschinger, & Wong, 2016; Fusco, O’Riordan, & Palmer, 2016). Based on the results of the Seven Habits Profile (2017), I believe many of my traits align with authentic leadership.…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More