On Leadership

Every day, leaders around the world make decisions that affect millions of people. The results of these decisions are mixed. Sometimes—like when Nelson Mandela led the fight against apartheid—our leaders inspire positive change on a grand scale. But at other times—like when various leaders failed to respond adequately to Hurricane Katrina—poor leadership yields disastrous outcomes. Anyone can claim to be a leader in times of calm, but crisis situations sift the true visionaries from the false ones. Recent events in global affairs make it increasingly apparent that nations must cultivate and encourage true leaders—and eschew false ones—if they hope to survive.

Fortunately, effective leadership is a skill that can be taught, especially through the study of exemplary figures of the past. In each chapter of On Leadership, Dr. Donald J. Palmisano cites an example of positive or negative action as a source from which to glean essential leadership lessons. Through guided analysis of each real-life situation, readers will learn detailed, practical methods and strategies for becoming true leaders. This second edition includes two new chapters which are highly applicable to today’s issues: "Leadership in Crisis: The British Petroleum Gulf Oil Spill," and "Emerging Leaders in a Time of Crisis." On Leadership provides crucial advice for those who aspire to become effective leaders in any position.