Leadership+on+the+Line


 * Book citation information **


 * Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading **

By Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky

Harvard Business School Publishing 2002

ISBN Number: 1-57851-437-1


 * Book summary contents **


 * Key Terms & Definitions **

__ Technical problems __ : problems for which the leader does have the necessary know-how and procedures

__ Adaptive challenges __ : not amenable to authoritative expertise or standard operating procedures

__ Observe from the Balcony __ : see yourself as other participants see you

__ Holding environment __ : space formed by a network of relationships within which people can tackle tough, sometimes divisive questions without flying apart

__ Ripening issues __ : do not get too far ahead on issues – an issue becomes ripe when there is a widespread urgency to deal with it

__ Hungers __ : expressions of our normal human needs (power and control, affirmation and importance, intimacy and delight)


 * Executive Summary of the Author's Main Premise **

This book covers a multitude of issues that arise in leadership roles and provides a multitude of examples for all of them. The first section covers the dangers of leading. The second section focuses the proper responses to these issues. The third section focuses on the leader. The authors stress the importance of separating yourself from your job, managing hungers and acknowledging that sacrificing yourself for your leadership role does not lead to success in the long run.


 * Relevance to Leadership Concerns **

This book is very straightforward. It deals with important issues the face most people in leadership roles. It also addresses the leader as a person. I believe the third section in the book is the most important. Many people overlook themselves in their race to the top. Successful leadership comes from those who take the time to enjoy life as well as lead.


 * Key Points from Each Chapter **

__ Chapter 1: The Heart of Danger __ - Leadership can be dangerous - Adaptive change can be risky - Going beyond your authority - The heart of danger is loss – in reference to adaptive challenges - “to persuade people to give up the love they know for a love they’ve never experienced means convincing them to take a leap of faith in themselves and life.” (26)

__ Chapter 2: The Faces of Danger __ - Marginalization - Diversion - Attack - Seduction

__ Chapter 3: Get on the Balcony __ - It can be difficult to take a step back and critique your own role – “view from the balcony” - Distinguish technical from adaptive challenges - Find out where people are at - Listen to the song beneath the words – what do people really mean? - Read the authority figure for clues

__ Chapter 4: Think Politically __ - Relationships are key to success - Six essential aspects of thinking politically:
 * Find partners
 * Keep the opposition close
 * Accept responsibility for your pieces of the mess
 * Acknowledge their loss
 * Model the behavior
 * Accept casualties

__ Chapter 5: Orchestrate the Conflict __ - Create a holding environment - Control the temperature (guide to controlling the heat can be found on page 111) - Pace the work - Show them the future

__ Chapter 6: Give the Work Back __ - Take the work off your shoulders – taking on more than you should will eventually lead to burn out - Place the work where it belongs – employees/followers must understand their roles and responsibilities - Make your interventions short and simple

__ Chapter 7: Hold Steady __ - Take the heat - Let the issues ripen - Focus attention on the issue – do not avoid/deny

__ Chapter 8: Manage your hungers __ - Power and control - Affirmation and importance - Intimacy and delight – very stereotypical examples of woman sleeping around to advance their career and men getting a pat on the back for being playboys

__ Chapter 9: Anchor Yourself __ - Distinguish self from role - Key confidants – don’t confuse them with allies - Seek sanctuary

__ Chapter 10: What’s on the Line? __ - Love - The Myth of Measurement – cannot tell us what makes life worth living - The form doesn’t matter – the form of your contribution is far less important than the content

__ Chapter 11: Sacred Heart __ - “Exercising leadership I san expression of your aliveness. But your life juice – your creativity and daring, your curiosity and eagerness to question, your compassion and love for people – can seep away daily as you get beat up, put down, or silenced.” (225) - Do not cover yourself up in order to lead - A reflection on the sacred heart – “The most difficult work of leadership involves learning to experience distress without numbing yourself.” (227) - Innocence, curiosity, and compassion: virtues of an open heart


 * Is the Book Worth the Read? Why or Why Not? **

Although I believe this book was helpful, it was not the most enjoyable read. You could skim the book and still get the main points. If you are looking for a large amount of specific examples of leadership issues, this is the book for you.