Where Have All The Leaders Gone

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Iacocca, Lee with Whitney, Catherine (2008). Where Have All The Leaders Gone? Updated and Revised. New York: Scribner, A division of Simon & Schuster.

Published by Scribner, A division of Simon and Schuster

Reviewed by Matt M. Starcevich, Ph.D.

The stated purpose of this book is to spark an American Renewal?to make America great again through leadership. In the authors view the current malaise or lack of leadership rests with the George Bush administration. Unfortunately the bashing of the Bush administration gets in the way of the message that we need stronger, dedicated leaders to run all braches of our government, break our dependence on oil, maintain free trade, build board of director?s accountability, and redefine the role of unions. Whatever the reader?s position on the Bush administration, I found it distracting and backward looking.

Having said that Iacocca outlines his ?Nine Cs of Leadership:

Curiosity?to listen and explore new ideas.
Creative?to be willing to try something new.
Communicate?facing reality and telling the truth.
Character?knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the right thing.
Courage?a commitment to sit down at the negotiating table and talk.
Convictions?a passion to get something done.
Charisma?the ability to inspire because other trust the leader
Competent?know what you?re doing.
Common Sense?to be in touch with the real world.
Crisis-leaders are made and forged in times of crises.

The rest of the book is full of his evaluation of many of our current problems and his suggestions for solutions. The book ends with a plea to elect a leader in the 2008 presidential election by giving the candidates the Nine Cs Test. With the recognition that very few leaders will have all of the Nine Cs his recommendation is that our current times cry out for four:

Curiosity?an expansive leader
Communications?an open leader who doesn?t hide bad news or motivate us with fear
Character?honed by crisis who demands equality of sacrifice starting in the Oval Office.
Competence?a problem solver.

My encouragement is to not let the political slant and bashing date or overshadow some important observation from a tested leader--there are some valuable points made in this book.

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