The one-sentence summary

To be a good leader you have to earn respect.

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS

·      Copying how other leaders behave will not necessarily make you a good leader Great leaders essentially act as “authentic chameleons”, consistently displaying their true selves through different contexts that require them to play a variety of roles.

·      Leadership is situational, non-hierarchical, and relational.

·      Leadership can come from within an organisation just as easily as the very top.

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT

·      The question in the title is the strongest point, and you should ask it of yourself if you aspire to be a leader

·      This orientation adds a dose of humility to the often macho area of leadership

·      It is easy enough to follow the steps they recommend (assuming you have the desire);

o   Be yourself – more – with skill

o   Know and show yourself – enough

o   Take personal risks

o   Read – and rewrite – the context

o   Remain authentic – but conform enough

o   Manage social distance (tough love, and getting close but not too close)

o   Communicate – with care

·      Followers are also discussed (you can’t have leaders without them)

·      Followers want authenticity, to feel significant, a sense of excitement, and to feel part of a community

·      Leadership has a price as well as a prize – there are no easy answers, you can be easily undone, and when things go wrong it’s your fault – so be careful what you pursue for the sake of it.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO WATCH

·      Not much. The book is well-written and based on 25 years of research