Leadership Wisdom from Unlikely Voices: People of Yesterday Speak to Leaders of Today

by Dave Fleming

Book Overview

For leaders who've read every leadership book (or just feel like they have) Most leaders feel like they've read all there is to read about leadership but are still frustrated when the tools of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310258006
• ISBN13: 9780310258001
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company
• Length: 201 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Unlike Yours

The read is brisk and sensible. Fleming does well to qualify himself as an established follower of unlikely voices. Analogies by way of jail cells, salad bars and dog poop (not metaphorically speaking) invite the reader to ease into reality of the past and the humor and hope of today. Fleming's work and reflective technique are such that the inspired leader takes up his pen and renders poetically the lessons gleaned, accessible, now owned, and the worth therein, steadily approaching the forte of a new unlikely voice...one's own.

Interesting perspectives, but not revolutionary

As thoroughly postmodern as this Leadership Wisdom feels, it has significant contributions for Christian leaders trapped in dictatorial methods. It will be the most valuable for those least likely to read it. Fleming consistently stresses balance. Balance between guiding and letting go, between rigidity and apathy and between chaos and order. The books is primarily composed of brief biographies and excerpts from the writings of leaders from generations past, with Fleming developing his own thoughts through examples in the lives of others. Instead of moving through parables, as many leadership books have done recently, he moves through real lives, demonstrating how commitment to various principles impacted their leadership. More importantly, the principles are demonstratably true, because they have worked. Fleming does a wonderful job in formatting his book in such a way as to make it accessible for even the busiest of leaders. Each chapter begins with a sentence labeled "The Point" and is broken down into a few sections that range from very short to manageable. Each section concludes with a reminder to "Pause," something brief to "Ponder," and sometimes an opportunity to place the point into "Practice." The chapters conclude with a sentence or two labeled "Tying it All Together" which helps focus the different discussions in the chapter into a single, unifying point. Unlikely Voices speaks to leaders because despite the progress of the centuries and the advent of a new millennium, people have not changed. What people respond to in leadership has not changed, and the fallen nature of leaders, which creates many of their problems, has not changed.

Timeless Wisdom!

This book is by far one of the best leadership books I've read. It hits at the heart of what every future leader needs to develop in order to be successful ~ relational team building skills. Dave is exceptionally gifted in his unique writing style as he creatively infuses 'timeless wisdom' into current culture to inspire, encourage and educate. His insights are engaging and practical. Don't miss this opportunity to gain greater leadership vision!