The Illuminated Leader

The Illuminated Leader transforms people, cultures, organizations, and even nations. The illuminated leader models leadership behaviors and traits designed to enlighten others. The behaviors and traits of the illuminated leader include: Courage - they make the right decision even when the decision is unpopular with others. Transformation - they are visionary and fully understand the need for change and innovation. Communication - they effectively practice the art of dialogue and deep listening. Character - they exhibit traits such as passion, exuberance, creativity and harmony. Inspiration - they bring out the very best in others because they see their value and potential. Service - they actively and unselfishly serve the needs of others. Relationships - they network continuously understanding the importance of forming friendships with others.

The author helps readers figure out which leaders matter, why, and when - and what lessons they can learn from those who do matter. Leaders from politics and business are profiled, they include: Abraham Lincoln, Neville Chamberlain, Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill, Jamie Dimon, Al Dunlap, Sir Jacky Fisher, and Judah Folkman.

They came seeking Illumination. Did they find it? Well, how would they know? What makes you think you're "enlightened"? Maybe you're one of those false awakeners. How do you know that your "enlightenment" isn't illusory? What criteria are you using to determine what "enlightenment" is? Why those criteria? Have you ever even thought about it? And if you haven't, how can you possibly be enlightened? Enlightenment isn't ignorance. It's not about willfully ignoring the facts. It's not about turning your back on reason and logic. It's not about severe cognitive deficits. It's not about annihilating your mind ("nirvana"). It's not about unconditional love. It's not about your feelings at all. It's not about super-duper mystical intuition. It's not about perfecting your senses. It's about none of those. Project Illumination is about showing what Illumination is really all about. Come inside and expose yourself to the light of reason, the only thing that can truly Illuminate you. Are you ready to receive the light? Let's light this thing up.

The last twenty-five years have witnessed an explosion in the field of leadership education. This volume brings together leading international scholars across disciplines to chronicle the current state of leadership education and establish a solid foundation on which to grow the field. It encourages leadership educators to explore and communicate more clearly the theoretical underpinnings and conceptual assumptions on which their approaches are based. It provides a forum for the discussion of current issues and challenges in the field and examines the above objectives within the broader perspective of rapid changes in technology, organizational structure, and diversity.

Building the Bridge As You Walk On It tells the personal stories of people who have embraced deep change and inspired author Robert Quinn to take his concept one step further and develop a new model of leadershipthe fundamental state of leadership. The exploration of this transformative state is at the very heart of the book. Quinn shows how anyone can enter the fundamental state of leadership by engaging in the eight practices that center on the theme of ever-increasing integrityreflective action, authentic engagement, appreciative inquiry, grounded vision, adaptive confidence, detached interdependence, responsible freedom, and tough love. After each chapter, Quinn challenges you to assess yourself with respect to each practice and to formulate a strategy for personal growth.

Being inspired can be a magnificent, invigorating feeling. But it's also one that we know surprisingly little about. Does it happen by chance? Are all forms of inspiration the same? Can we influence how and when we feel inspired? These are searching questions, particularly for people who take on the responsibilities and challenges of leadership. Given the tumultuous state of the world today, effective leadership throughout our organizations and communities has never been more important. Equally though, there has also never been greater pressure on leaders to perform and to provide inspirational leadership for their people and teams. If individuals are to step up and succeed in inspiring others, their first priority must be to discover the inspiration they need for themselves. The Inspired Leader helps them do just that. The book is based on extensive new research, conducted in association with Henley Business School, into the real life experiences of leaders from many different walks of life. Drawing on the latest behavioural science, Andy Bird explains how inspiration is actually experienced by people in positions of leadership. He also examines how they maintain it over time despite the many obstacles and challenges they face. The result is a compelling collection of stories, insights and ideas which are accompanied by a thought-provoking set of personal development tools and reflective exercises. In combination, The Inspired Leader provides unrivalled support for anyone seeking their own path to a more inspired life as a leader.

The throngs at Woodstock, Jane Fonda in Hanoi, I Have a Dream, burning draft cards, fire in the streets--these images of the 1960s are still very much alive today. What happened to the people and principles that dominated that decade? Which leaders from those turbulent years had the most lasting effect on our lives today? How well have the principles for which those leaders fought so strongly withstood the test of time? This thought-provoking biographical dictionary allows the reader to study the leaders, both conservative and liberal, their ideals, and their enduring influence. With major sections on racial democracy, peace and freedom, sexuality and gender, the environment, radical culture, and visions of alternative societies, Leaders from the 1960s includes entries on a wide selection of nationally prominent activists of the 1960s. In addition to those who dominated only the sixties, the volume includes earlier activists who came into prominence in the 1960s and activists of the era who came into prominence since the 1960s. Each entry provides a biographical sketch, but the focus of the entries is on the person's basic concepts or the essence of his or her work and the public response it generated. Included are extensive bibliographies on the individuals and the period.