Softcover

ISBN 10: 0230103316 ISBN 13: 9780230103313

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 2010

"What's happened to our leaders and to our leadership?"
Based on General Zinni's leadership experiences from the battlefield to the boardroom, Leading the Charge shows a new way through the significant leadership challenges of the 21st century.

The times are changing at an ever-increasing velocity. Old systems, organizations, and ways of operating no longer work in our dynamic, complex and increasingly unstable new environment. Out of this chaos and confusion, a new and different leader must emerge. Old systems and methods will no longer work.

Leading the Charge is a visionary leadership book that examines the trends that have reshaped our world and the ways in which visionary leaders and organizations can effectively respond. Tomorrow's successful leaders-in all fields, including the military, academia, politics, and business-must know how to create, operate, and thrive in very fluid, flattened, and integrated structures that are remarkably different from the traditional organizations we are used to seeing. They will have to manage rapidly changing technology and flows of information, and create faster and more far-reaching spans of control.

Leading the Charge shows the way, and is an incisive and compelling guide to the new world of leadership, one that will prove indispensable for years to come.

Organized around "Leading a New World," a revolutionary leadership course General Zinni developed and taught at the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University, Leading the Charge makes a convincing case that leaders must . . .
- change with the times to be relevant.
- be ready for crisis mode at any given time.
- have a moral compass and the ability to steer the company in the right direction.
- be forward thinking, not reactive, to provide innovation and creativity.
- develop great leaders.

About the Author:

General Tony Zinni (Ret.) was commander in chief of CENTCOM and special envoy to the Middle East. He has appeared on The Daily Show and Meet the Press among others. He is currently chairman of the board at BAE Systems, Inc.
Tony Koltz co-authored Tom Clancy's Into the Storm and Battle Ready as well as The Battle for Peace, a New York Times bestseller.

Review:

“Gen. Anthony Zinni (Ret.) in drawing upon a lifetime of competition on the battlefield and in corporate boardrooms has issued a call to action to restore American leadership and greatness. This is a must read for anyone who is concerned about what has happened to our country.” ―William Cohen, former Secretary of Defense

“From one of America's most respected and experienced military leaders and strategic thinkers comes a real, unvarnished, thorough examination of leadership. General Zinni lays out not only lessons of leadership but the leadership that will be required for America's future. This book should be high on the list of important reading for our citizens, educators, leaders in every sphere of our society... and especially our next generation of leaders.” ―Senator Chuck Hagel

“As only a true leader can, Tony Zinni goes straight to the root of our challenges today. For too long, leadership and its attendant qualities have been undervalued. Tony's clear-eyed observations and advice on this topic come at a time when they are sorely needed and certainly from a person who well understands the necessary elements of leadership - vision, execution, and accountability.” ―Richard L. Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State

“Leading the Charge is a thoughtful and evocative lesson plan on leadership which is equally applicable to business leaders as well as military and political leaders. In today's 'briar patch' complex environment where borders do not exist and politics, economics, and military and social issues intertwine, he has artfully detailed the strategy, tactics and logistics that are required for leaders to be successful. From 'knowing the sea you swim in' to the importance of balance to building a good organization, General Zinni methodically takes today's and tomorrow's leaders through a self reflective, inspiring exercise.” ―Thomas J. Campbell, President, DC Capital Partners

“General Zinni lays out a comprehensive approach to leadership which is insightful and forward looking. He highlights key lessons which should be invaluable for professionals in all walks of life. He is a powerful role model and his philosophy reminds us of the critical difference that great leadership can make.” ―Robert Kaplan, Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School and former Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs

“Leading the Charge is an insightful, highly useful guide to meeting the challenges in today's world. We highly recommend that readers put Leading the Charge on their 'must read-must buy' list and add it to their personal libraries. This former 4-star Marine general's outstanding book is a '5-star' guide to leadership -- we rate this book '5 STARS,' our highest rating.” ―Col. Jerry D. Morelock (ret.), Armchair General

“Dispenses practical guidelines with particular relevance and resonance.” ―Publishers Weekly

“This book makes it clear that General Zinni not only has absorbed good leadership traits from his multifaceted life, but also has studied it deeply. He has tried to share that deep understanding with others, in the Marines, in business and in academic settings. This may be the best of all examples of true leadership.” ―Semper Fi, the Magazine of the Marine Corps League