From the former secretary of defense and author of the acclaimed #1 best-selling memoirDuty, a characteristically direct, informed, and urgent assessment of why big institutions are failing us and how smart, committed leadership can effect real improvement regardless of scale. Across the realms of civic and private enterprise alike, bureaucracies vitally impact our security, freedoms, and everyday life. With so much at stake, competence, efficiency, and fiscal prudence are essential, yet Americans know these institutions fall short. Many despair that they are too big and too hard to reform. Robert Gates disagrees. Having led change successfully at three monumental organizations the CIA, Texas A&M University, and the Department of Defense he offers us the ultimate insider s look at how major bureaus, organizations, and companies can be transformed, which is by turns heartening and inspiring and always instructive. With practical, nuanced advice on tailoring reform to the operative culture (we see how Gates worked within the system to increase diversity at Texas A&M); effecting change within committees; engaging the power of compromise ( In the real world of bureaucratic institutions, you almost never get all you want when you want it ); and listening and responding to your team, Gates brings the full weight of his wisdom, candor, and devotion to civic duty to inspire others to lead desperately needed change. From the Hardcover edition."
From the former secretary of defense and author of the acclaimed #1 best-selling memoirDuty, a characteristically direct, informed, and urgent assessment of why big institutions are failing us and how smart, committed leadership can effect real improvement regardless of scale. Across the realms of civic and private enterprise alike, bureaucracies vitally impact our security, freedoms, and everyday life. With so much at stake, competence, efficiency, and fiscal prudence are essential, yet Americans know these institutions fall short. Many despair that they are too big and too hard to reform. Robert Gates disagrees. Having led change successfully at three monumental organizations the CIA, Texas A&M University, and the Department of Defense he offers us the ultimate insider s look at how major bureaus, organizations, and companies can be transformed, which is by turns heartening and inspiring and always instructive. With practical, nuanced advice on tailoring reform to the operative culture (we see how Gates worked within the system to increase diversity at Texas A&M); effecting change within committees; engaging the power of compromise ( In the real world of bureaucratic institutions, you almost never get all you want when you want it ); and listening and responding to your team, Gates brings the full weight of his wisdom, candor, and devotion to civic duty to inspire others to lead desperately needed change. From the Hardcover edition."
ROBERT M. GATES served as secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011. He was also an officer in the United States Air Force, and worked for the C.I.A. before being appointed director of the agency by President George H. W. Bush. He was a member of the National Security Council staff in four administrations and served eight presidents of both political parties. As well, he has a continuing distinguished record in the private sector and academia, including currently serving as chancellor of the College of William and Mary. He holds a Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. From the Hardcover edition.
Selection, Huffington Post 5 Political Books for Insight This
Election Season (2016)
Selection, Publishers Weekly Business & Economics Top 10 for Fall
2015 "The book [politicians] should all admit to reading--and
actually read... Refreshingly nonideological... Mr. Gates preaches
the value of civility, internal transparency, and work-life
balance." --The Wall Street Journal "[Gates] brings [his
suggestions] to life through stories of his own powerful and
critical leadership roles." --The Washington Post, Nine Leadership
Books to Watch for in 2016 "Characteristically direct, informed and
urgent... [Gates] offers us the ultimate insider's look at how
major bureaus, organizations and companies can be transformed,
which is by turns heartening and inspiring and always
instructive... Gates brings the full weight of his wisdom, candor,
and devotion to civic duty to inspire others to lead desperately
needed change." --Long Island Weekly "A Passion for Leadership is a
book that takes a pragmatic and powerful look at leadership and is
a must-read for people who want to bring about a significant
transformation within an organization... Boldly demystifies the
view that it's difficult to bring about an effective reform mainly
in US institutions since they are either too big or excessively
onerous... The ultimate insider's perspective." --Project
Management.com
"Refreshingly free of managerial jargon, Gates' directness,
practicality, and palpable optimism will prove encouraging to his
audience." --Booklist, starred review "Advice that should be passed
on to leaders at any season of life and particularly helpful to
those new to such responsibility. Highly recommended for public and
academic leadership collections." --Library Journal, starred review
"[Gates] takes a powerful and pragmatic look at leadership in this
book, a must-read for anyone who wants to be an agent of change...
Readers will be struck by Gates's humility, humor, and undeniable
expertise. This practical, non-nonsense look at leadership will not
only provide a useful guide but also serve as an inspiration."
--Publishers Weekly "Informative, entertaining, and useful... The
author's real-life examples... show a side of bureaucracy and of
upper-level leadership not often revealed to the public... A
concise distillation of more than five decades of leadership
knowledge--good reading for all of the 2016 presidential
candidates." --Kirkus From the Hardcover edition.
Selection, "Huffington Post "5 Political Books for Insight This
Election Season (2016)
Selection, "Publishers Weekly" Business & Economics Top 10 for Fall
2015
"The book [politicians] should all admit to reading--and actually
read... Refreshingly nonideological... Mr. Gates preaches the value
of civility, internal transparency, and work-life balance." "The
Wall Street Journal
" [Gates] brings [his suggestions] to life through stories of his
own powerful and critical leadership roles. " The Washington Post,
" Nine Leadership Books to Watch for in 2016"
" "A Passion for Leadership "is a book that takes a pragmatic and
powerful look at leadership and is a must-read for people who want
to bring about a significant transformation within an organization
Boldly demystifies the view that it s difficult to bring about an
effective reform mainly in US institutions since they are either
too big or excessively onerous The ultimate insider s perspective.
"Project Management.com
"
"Refreshingly free of managerial jargon, Gates' directness,
practicality, and palpable optimism will prove encouraging to his
audience." " "Booklist, ""starred review"
""Advice that should be passed on to leaders at any season of life
and particularly helpful to those new to such responsibility.
Highly recommended for public and academic leadership collections."
"Library Journal, "starred review
[Gates] takes a powerful and pragmatic look at leadership in this
book, a must-read for anyone who wants to be an agent of change
Readers will be struck by Gates s humility, humor, and undeniable
expertise. This practical, non-nonsense look at leadership will not
only provide a useful guide but also serve as an inspiration.
"Publishers Weekly"
Informative, entertaining, and useful The author s real-life
examples show a side of bureaucracy and of upper-level leadership
not often revealed to the public A concise distillation of more
than five decades of leadership knowledge good reading for all of
the 2016 presidential candidates. "Kirkus" "From the Hardcover
edition.""
"The book [politicians] should all admit to reading--and actually
read... Refreshingly nonideological... Mr. Gates preaches the value
of civility, internal transparency, and work-life balance." "The
Wall Street Journal
" [Gates] brings [his suggestions] to life through stories of his
own powerful and critical leadership roles. " The Washington Post,
" Nine Leadership Books to Watch for in 2016"
" "A Passion for Leadership "is a book that takes a pragmatic and
powerful look at leadership and is a must-read for people who want
to bring about a significant transformation within an organization
Boldly demystifies the view that it s difficult to bring about an
effective reform mainly in US institutions since they are either
too big or excessively onerous The ultimate insider s perspective.
"Project Management.com
"
"Refreshingly free of managerial jargon, Gates' directness,
practicality, and palpable optimism will prove encouraging to his
audience." " "Booklist, ""starred review"
""Advice that should be passed on to leaders at any season of life
and particularly helpful to those new to such responsibility.
Highly recommended for public and academic leadership collections."
"Library Journal, "starred review
[Gates] takes a powerful and pragmatic look at leadership in this
book, a must-read for anyone who wants to be an agent of change
Readers will be struck by Gates s humility, humor, and undeniable
expertise. This practical, non-nonsense look at leadership will not
only provide a useful guide but also serve as an inspiration.
"Publishers Weekly"
A "Publishers Weekly" Business & Economics Top 10 selection for
Fall 2015
Informative, entertaining, and useful The author s real-life
examples show a side of bureaucracy and of upper-level leadership
not often revealed to the public A concise distillation of more
than five decades of leadership knowledge good reading for all of
the 2016 presidential candidates. "Kirkus" "From the Hardcover
edition.""
A "Publishers Weekly" Business & Economics Top 10 selection for
Fall 2015
"Advice that should be passed on to leaders at any season of life
and particularly helpful to those new to such responsibility.
Highly recommended for public and academic leadership collections."
"Library Journal, "starred review
[Gates] takes a powerful and pragmatic look at leadership in this
book, a must-read for anyone who wants to be an agent of change
Readers will be struck by Gates s humility, humor, and undeniable
expertise. This practical, non-nonsense look at leadership will not
only provide a useful guide but also serve as an inspiration.
"Publishers Weekly"
Informative, entertaining, and useful The author s real-life
examples show a side of bureaucracy and of upper-level leadership
not often revealed to the public A concise distillation of more
than five decades of leadership knowledge good reading for all of
the 2016 presidential candidates. "Kirkus" "From the Hardcover
edition.""
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