What does it mean to be a leader? In the history of leadership in America, no one has galvanized a time, place, and people more forcefully than Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who articulated a vision, crafted a strategy, and took defeats and turned them into victory, Dr. King and his life’s work offer us powerful lessons that can apply to life, business, and any endeavor. Part history and part inspiration, Martin Luther King, Jr. On Leadership blends an exciting story with sharp analysis.Leadership motivational speaker Donald T. Phillips, who has previously drawn organizational lessons for modern businesses from the careers of Abraham Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, turns to civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a role model. A discussion of the Montgomery bus boycott, for example, draws out such principles as “Set goals and create a plan of action” and “Involve the people.” More effective as a self-help book for business than as a biography, it does provide a useful introduction to King’s life.
Insightful! Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech was voted the most electrifying public address of the twentieth century. It takes some kind of a leader to give that kind of a speech. Donald T. Phillips presents the ideals of leadership that Martin Luther King Jr. followed in an overview of the history of the civil rights struggle. Phillips describes the techniques King used at various stages of the civil rights battle. He also shares King’s comments on leadership. Many of the principles will be quite familiar: listen to learn, lead by being led, awaken direct action, encourage creativity and involve the people. However, the book is especially interesting when it demonstrates how King put these principles into practice. This well-organized, well-written book is clear, direct, and easy to read. While it is written for the general public (especially for African-Americans and those interested in civil rights), we […] find this book interesting for all managers and executives,…
inspiring book on leadership I picked up this book simply thinking it would be a great story about leadership, but the underlying history of Martin Luther King is riveting as well. The leadership stories translate well to business and personal leadership–they speak to (all) people wanting to be part of a higher, unifying mission. If you like to “mark-up” the margins with thoughts keep a pen handy for this one. Its a book I talked about with colleagues and family more than any other I’ve read.
A wonderful book about a great leader This book carries the reader through two threads of material simultaneously. One thread is designed to give a biographical, history of MLK, Jr. as a leader in the civil rights movement. The other thread is actually laid upon the first and it is a cataloguing of the various leadership styles and techniques which he displayed throughout his career. The book also supplies us with a wealth of meaningful quotes from Dr. King at the beginning and end of each chapter.