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Mini-Review
By Amy Chavez
This book offers a creative way of teaching leadership skills (creativity, by the way, is one of Stavridis’s components of leadership). By using the examples of ten well-known admirals throughout history, from Greek Themistocles to Grace Hopper and the first black woman four-star admiral Michelle Howard, the author parses their leadership skills and offers a summary of what characteristics contributed to making them successful leaders. I had a special interest in Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II who ultimately accepted the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay.
The script is peppered with inspiring quotes such as “Read, think, write, publish.” and “There is no white navy, there is no black navy, there is just one navy.”
I found all the admirals very interesting in addition to Stavridis, who is extremely accomplished himself. The last chapter of the book gives his own take on leadership and the role character plays, and suggests how one can hone their own leadership skills. He gives ten components of leadership, and asks readers to consider who their heroes are, and why. He then reveals his own and the reasons behind his choices. An inspiring read.
About the Author
James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.