1st Edition
Letters to a Young Leader A New Leadership for a New Generation
If you are interested in becoming a better leader, this book is a great place to start. Rather than using the familiar textbook approach, leadership expert Robert Denhardt offers practical lessons drawn from a lively year-long correspondence with two (fictional) former students about their experiences in leadership.
The letters explore the deeply personal issues these and other young and emerging leaders are facing – what the skills and personal qualities are that you need for contemporary leadership, what will leadership mean to you and those you lead, and even why or why not you might want to become a leader. Along the way, the book speaks to the big picture, arguing that leadership today has been stripped of its historic contribution to creating meaningful human experience and has been reduced to a technical exercise in executive management.
Based on his experience of teaching leadership to thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and advanced practitioners, Denhardt speaks person-to-person with young leaders about their questions and their concerns as they enter into the somewhat flawed world of leadership today. The result is a call for a new leadership for a new generation.
This book will be valuable to students enrolled in regular and executive degree programs in leadership, business management, public administration, nonprofit management, educational administration, and many other fields. It also speaks to young leaders out of school but committed to enhancing their leadership. Indeed, readers of all ages will learn lessons relevant to their own professional development.
Introduction
1 Letter from Bob: August 21
2 Letter from Kayla: September 5
3 Letter from Mike: September 12
4 Letter from Bob: October 2
5 Letter from Kayla: October 14
6 Letter from Mike: October 20
7 Letter from Bob: October 31
8 Letter from Bob: November 5
9 Letter from Kayla: November 10
10 Letter from Mike: November 20
11 Letter from Bob: December 10
12 Letter from Kayla: December 14
13 Letter from Mike: December 15
14 Letter from Bob: January 15
15 Letter from Bob: January 20
16 Letter from Mike: January 22
17 Letter from Bob: January 25
18 Letter from Bob: January 30
19 Letter from Kayla: February 2
20 Letter from Mike: February 12
21 Letter from Bob: February 20
22 Letter from Kayla: February 25
23 Letter from Mike: February 27
24 Letter from Bob: March 8
25 Letter from Bob: April 2
26 Letter from Bob: April 12
27 Letter from Bob: April 14
28 Letter from Kayla: May 1
29 Letter from Mike: May 5
30 Letter from Bob: May 15
31 Letter from Bob: May 20
32 Letter from Kayla: June 1
33 Letter from Bob: June 8
34 Letter from Mike: June 21
35 Letter from Kayla: July 3
36 Letter from Mike: July 16
37 Letter from Bob: July 18
38 Letter from Bob: July 21
Endnotes
A Reader’s Guide to the Literature on Leadership
Bibliography and Works Cited
Acknowledgements
Index
Biography
Robert B. Denhardt is a central figure in leadership education and currently heads Denhardt Leadership, a boutique consulting and publishing firm. He was Professor and Director of Leadership Programs in the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California, USA.
"Denhardt’s Letters offers a very realistic view into both the opportunities and the roadblocks young leaders face today. You’ll be drawn into the correspondents’ journey of self-discovery and end up discovering a lot about yourself along the way. That’s no surprise--Denhardt is a master of the art of great leadership!" –Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and author of Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family
"A much-needed fresh look at leadership and the passing of the torch to young leaders. This book blends the energy and dreams of a new generation with the voice of experience and wisdom to suggest new approaches to leadership based on honor, engagement and connection rather than power and position." –Afsaneh Nahavandi, Professor of Leadership and Management, University of San Diego
"Denhardt has proven once again that he can provide valuable insights on leadership that advance our understanding of the modern workplace. Letters to a Young Leader is book we especially need in these times."–Jay Hakes, former director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
"Research shows that people learn best from stories and experiential narratives. Letters to A Young Leader, is a terrific example of how everyday storytelling and first-hand experiences can drive important lessons among young professionals. It’s a must-read for anyone engaged in a growing and dynamic organization." –Robert Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Cambria Solutions (IT)
"This is a must-read book on leadership. Fresh in its perspective and personal in its style, it will appeal to both millennials and baby boomers at the same time. I could not put the book down." –Prasad Kaipa, leadership consultant and educator, and co-author of From Smart to Wise and You Can.
