I've just finished the book,
Leadership and Training for the Fight -- A Few Thoughts on Leadership and Training from a fomer special operations soldier
By MSG. Paul R. Howe (USA RET.)
The work is focused on leadership, within the context of combat. Being that I'm not qualified to speak to the contextual aspects, I'll refrain from commenting on those points.
However, I'll quickly comment on the book's organization and the author's craft.
The book is very well organized with each chapter following an outline of; chapter overview, anecdotal illustration, analysis of leadership principles, and goals for the reader. Leadership is discussed in theory, application, and personality. Leadership is examined from individual, selection, team, and larger organizational perspectives.
I found the personality discussion most useful, for Howe speaks to current social trends, and how those trends have perpetuated "false leadership".
Below is an excerpt, that demonstrates the efficient and direct prose of the author:
Quote:
First, I didn’t go into life wanting to be a leader. This may sound
counterproductive. As I gained experience, I learned that I must have
an attitude of trying to do the best job at the task at hand instead of
constantly wanting to be promoted or aspiring to be a leader. I found
that leadership challenges will eventually come. Some uninformed
parents have the most problem with this idea. They feel that their little
Johnny would make a natural leader. Most parents have not been
around great leaders and would not know a good leader if they were
smacked by one.
I suggest that students start by jotting down the good and bad points
of leaders they respect and detest and use them as lessons or guidelines
in their leadership challenges. Mark down arrogance, excessive pride,
laziness as key bad or counterproductive points to be avoided. Leave
your ego behind on this journey and ratchet up the personal controlled
aggressiveness. You can be aggressive and still be polite. You can be
well mannered and not piss off or be a threat to those above, below or
on your level.
|
I found the book well written, organized and presented. The author states that there will be revised editions, as He polishes his work. I look forward to Howe's future editions.
-Seth