BOOK REVIEW

Book Review - Strategic Leadership: The General's Art by Mark Grandstaff



Book Review - Strategic Leadership: The General's Art by Mark Grandstaff

The book covers a wide array of topic pertaining to the strategic aspect of leadership (Sorenson, 2009). The foundation is established through the introduction of leadership culture in the frame of reference that is utilized in the US military; converging on the role and relevance of practices that are utilized to educate leaders so that they may integrate their leadership strategies with the right elements. This is followed by the special consideration of strategic thinking practices along with an explanation of the awareness and assessment approaches that strategic leaders should seek to exercise. Furthermore, this area of the book also gives regard to the evolution of leaders; may it be unintentional or influenced. Moving on, the book highlights the critical need to continuously evaluate thinking approaches so that a pro-active approach can prevent unexpected outcomes in the future.

The book gives relevance to the fact that uncertainty is unavoidable but encourages leaders to think two steps ahead of the rest. Intricate areas of leadership are covered in this section; such as the relevance of considering the number of unknown variables instead of resting decisions entirely on what is seemingly apparent (Sorenson, 2009). The book promotes leaders to develop and adopt dynamic systems that they can rely upon to provide them with the preparedness that they need to engage complex problems and challenges. The authors insist on the utilization of creativity in addressing challenges. In this regard, the authors give special relevance to cultural diversity and the need to recognize the potential of functioning in teams - even if the task at hand is as sensitive as that of negotiation; which is considered to be riddled with highly uneven and unpredictable variables in military contexts. In essence, the book demands leaders to respect the demands and sensitivity of their position and to remain fair to their role at the helm.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, with each chapter written by an individual with extensive military experience; and each of the authors has ensured that their approach to the discussion is substantiated by the presentation of examples. It stands in the book's support that the authors have chosen to support their assertions with examples that are borrowed from military history as well as modern day military practices; thereby providing the ...