Leadership Alistair Neill, The Chief Executive of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council won the prestigious Leading Wales Award 2005, which recognises outstanding leadership in Wales. He is therefore well qualified to underscore why knowledge is so important to leaders and future leaders and to share his favourite book on the topic…
"There are so many books by leaders, about leaders, by those who wished they were leaders but never made it, by leaders who did make it but want to change the way they are seen………the array is boundless. And a bit intimidating to any but the most sure-footed leadership-book fancier. Having read a lot of management and leadership (they are not the same) books over the years, in my view the majority have little lasting impact.
So it is really good news that the Library Service has identified some management and leadership books which have already proven to have lasting impact, and others which have every prospect of doing so. They are largely in 2 camps: books about inspirational leaders, and books on leadership by inspirational thinkers.
There are 2 on this list that I value a lot. From the inspirational leaders, read Giuliani’s ‘Leadership’ – not just for his raw experiences on and after the worst terrorist attack in history, but for the many interesting angles in his earlier life as Mayor of New York, and how he aimed to transform the level of crime in the city, with a great deal of success.
The other personal recommendation is for ‘The Effective Executive’ by Peter Drucker. Drucker is perhaps the greatest of 20th century management gurus and a lot of wisdom is distilled into this compact read. Spending time with Drucker as a manager is like a flower receiving water.
Reading is the key. Like so many others of my generation (not that old!), books were the key to my future. I read compulsively by the time I was a teenager. There is no question in my mind that reading not only broadened my knowledge, but it vastly broadened my opportunities in life. Reading these books could change your life, your future for the better. That’s quite a thought…….it’s simply the advantage that knowledge gives you.
So I would encourage anyone to get stuck into any of these books. You don’t need to read them from cover to cover – picking your chapters or sections is very normal practice!
My thanks goes to the Library for leading the way with these books……..”
Alistair Neill, Chief Executive, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council."
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