Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading

"Leadership on the Line" is one of the first leadership books I ever read, but it’s one that has stayed with me over the years.

I was especially impressed with the authors’ distinction between technical work, which involves applying known solutions to problems, and adaptive work, which is the task of helping people with problems learn how to solve them. Discerning which type of work is applicable to the present situation is one of the most important roles of leaders in organizations.

I was also impressed with the book’s practical advice on surviving the perils of leadership, such as avoiding being the “indispensable man” and instead handing work back to people when they are best equipped to do it.

Most surprisingly, the book ends show more with a beautiful reflection on an encounter Heifetz, a Jew, had with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and its implications for leadership.

"Leadership on the Line" is a book I have returned to numerous times during my career, and it is one I am sure will help other Church leaders as well. show less

I was thinking that this may have been the best book I've read about leadership, but then I starting thinking, "have I ever read any other books about leadership?" I suppose Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business may arguably count, but it's necessarily different. Anyway, I didn't hate it, and felt like I gleaned something from it. 3.5 stars, rounded down, because I was required to read this for work.

In Leadership on the Line, they show how it's possible to make a difference without getting "taken out" or pushed aside. They present everyday tools that give equal weight to the dangerous work of leading change and the critical importance of personal survival. Through vivid stories from all walks of life, the authors present straightforward strategies for navigating the perilous straits of leadership. Whether you're a parent or a politician, a CEO or a community activist, this practical book shows how you can exercise leadership and survive and thrive to enjoy the fruits of your labor. - from publisher

This is a very good book. Some of the leadership principles are eye-opening and I am now trying to force myself to utilize them. Getting on the balcony is one of those principles. While we all detest office politics, we need support, and this book shares who and how to enlist support. It has a good chapter on dealing with conflict. And it talks about avoiding burnout. These are all good topics, and very relative.

The main idea is that leadership can be dangerous, and it gave ways about how can you respond to those dangers. I didn’t enjoy that the book felt like it was fear-driven and that many of the examples were politically related.

Good book on hazards and perils of leadership. Reassuring and vaguely liberating about the inevitable conflict that arises with any change management project. Lots of useful strategies for becoming a better leader. Definitely recommend as a practical, easy-to-read and useful book on leadership.

This book deasl with how to stay fresh in the battles of the work load. If we have patience and look beyond people's words, God is able to bring us through. We must ot be afraid to put our ideas on the line. Working our way through requires skill. This book helps explore dangers and deal with them