The Shaping of an Effective Leader: Eight Formative Principles of Leadership
"Every person who serves in leadership or aspires to needs to read this book. . . . This book instructs without being pedantic, inspires without being clichéd and challenges without being arrogant. It reminds us that leadership is not only an art; it is a practice to be nurtured, cultivated and honed over a lifetime. Because the book frames the leadership experience in such helpful and formative ways, someone aspiring for insight born of experience and rigorous thinking will find a reservoir of valuable wisdom." (Dr. Steve Moore, executive director and CEO, The M. J. Murdock Trust)"This book is for all individuals, organizations, schools and businesses, profit and nonprofit. During this time when leadership in political and industrial arenas has deteriorated, Beebe's book shows and develops the importance of maintaining clear convictions as we lead. The 'pyramid' of conditions for developing strong leadership makes it easy to discern where and how one is starting and where one is going." (Leslie Ridley-Tree, president and CEO, Pacific Air Industries)"This is not just another book on leadership. It is written by an effective leader who has achieved meaningful results in the organizations he has led. He shares with us lessons and principles he has learned from the mentoring relationships he had with Peter Drucker and other important thought leaders. It was Drucker who reminded us that a leader has only one choice to make--to lead or mislead. Gayle Beebe has chosen to lead. Read and learn from his wisdom and experience." (C. William Pollard, chairman emeritus, ServiceMaster)"This marvelous book on leadership is a product of Dr. Beebe's creative thinking and research, as well as his effective use of leadership concepts from other professional thinkers. The bottom line is this book is filled with challenging new ideas presented with great clarity. Whether you are just beginning your career, are a professional coaching top executives or have already achieved a significant leadership position, you will benefit from reading this insightful book. . . . Those willing to look critically into the mirror of this book will unquestionably become more effective leaders." (William T. Esrey, retired chair and CEO, Sprint)"I am so thankful for Gayle Beebe. I am confident that you will share my gratitude for him when you have completed readingThe Shaping of an Effective Leader.In this wise, practical and insightful book, Beebe serves as a trustworthy guide for helping us understand the meaning and expectations of leadership. Readers will gain a greater appreciation for the work of leaders and leadership teams, as well as the key aspects of effective organizations. I learned much from this book and heartily commend it to others." (David S. Dockery, president, Union University)"Keep your highlighter handy! This book is brilliant--rich in wisdom, inviting in style and logical in structure. It is immensely, practically and immediately helpful. I'll admit my biases: great admiration for Gayle Beebe, huge respect for Peter Drucker and a warm friendship with the publisher, InterVarsity Press. Of any recent book on leadership, and there are many, I want this one close at hand." (John D. Beckett, chairman, The Beckett Companies, and author of Loving Monday and Mastering Monday)"Gayle Beebe's book is valuable precisely because it discusses how effective and moral leaders develop. . . . [He] wonderfully applies the insights of Peter  Drucker, his former professor and the father of modern management theories." (From the foreword by Steve Forbes)