A Leader's Legacy

A Leader's Legacy was written by James Zouzes and Barry Posner. It was published in 2006 by Jossey-Bass. The Leadership Legacy is James Zouzes and Barry Posner's excellent followup to their leadership book entitled, "The Leadership Challenge". If you have read The Leadership Challenge and liked what you read then "A Leader's Legacy" is a book you want to add to your professional book shelf. However, if you read The Leadership Challenge and did not agree with the general premis, then A Leader's Legacy is not the leadership book for you.

A Leader's Legacy is about leaders who believe that to make a difference we need to understand that extrodinary leaders are: 1) leaders who serve and sacrifice, 2) leaders who build relationships (on and off the clock), 3) leaders who look within themselves, 4) leaders build up others to become leaders (it takes more than one person to move the group forward), and 5) leaders who know it takes courage to lead.

If you are a leader who needs to be the only one in charge, the one who demands respect, and the one who leaders with mandates, then this is not a book that supports your style. However, if you are a leader who believes it takes a cohesive team to complete a project effectively, a leader who gives respect when earned, and a leader who builds a shared vision, then this is a book that will encourage you to press on. James Zouzes and Barry Posner utilize twenty-five years of research and real life examples of leaders (big and small) who have made a difference and created a legacy. Their research and real life stories give all individuals the hope, courage, and belief that "anyone" (and that means me) can be a leader who makes a difference in the world in which I live.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
In my opinion, this is a book worthy of anyone's book shelf, professional or personal. If you are a person who has been called to work with people (i.e. school, church, youth sports leagues, etc...) this is the book that will enspire you. If you are the type of leader who believes that it takes the whole crew to run the ship instead of just the captain, then this book is for you. However, if you believe it is my way or the high way, this book is not for you. You will think it is a waste of paper, ink, and time. Every page of this book will contratict your way of doing things.

I highly recommend this book to any person who is in charge of a project and has to work with more than one person. This book has a way of building your confidence and enspiring you to do the best that you can as well as encourage those working with you to step beyond their current position.