BOOK REVIEWER
PATRICK WITCOMBE
The Act of Leadership by Dan Haesler
Not just another book on leadership . Haesler has pulled together a useful leadership playbook that is challenging enough to cater to seasoned leadership course graduates while written plainly enough for new leaders to pick up and run with immediately .
Haesler writes from an Australian context that makes the book feel at times like you could have written it yourself . This goes beyond the absence of clashing American cultural references , demonstrating an understanding of leadership as it relates to our culture . He has perhaps taken this too far in one regard , as anyone that cringes at sports stories and metaphors should avoid this book .
Haesler covers a lot of the core aspects of personal leadership , the leadership of others and practical problem solving . He serves up the right number of practical tools and relatable examples , while not shying away from challenging truths and complex mental frameworks that will keep you coming back for fresh insights for years . The exploration of growth mindsets , motivation and change management are particularly well mapped out and so relevant to the modern professional workplace . It does touch on vulnerability and empathy , but not to the extent that I would have expected and there lies my only real criticism — it falls short of delving into some of the feminist leadership principles that are rapidly reshaping the professional leadership landscape today .
A highly readable , practical and well-rounded book that will challenge anyone .
Patrick Witcombe is an Executive Manager at CBM Australia
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Tyler
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Tyler Watkins Production Editor Executive PA Magazine
Summer Issue 2021 | Executive PA 65